University of California San Francisco
Sol Silverman Oral Medicine Clinic
The UCSF Sol Silverman Oral Medicine Clinic provides internationally recognized expertise in the diagnosis and management of complex oral mucosal diseases and orofacial pain conditions. Our specialists evaluate and treat patients with potentially malignant oral disorders, oral cancer, lichen planus, vesiculobullous and other immune-mediated diseases, oral complications related to cancer therapy, orofacial pain disorders, oral infectious diseases, HIV-associated oral conditions, Sjögren’s syndrome, and many other conditions affecting the oral cavity, salivary glands, and oral soft tissues.
Who was Sol Silverman?
Former UCSF professor Sol Silverman, who died in 2014 at age 88, was a pioneer in oral medicine. In 1956, Silverman created one of the country’s first oral medicine clinics at UCSF. Silverman mentored scores of oral health professionals and authored numerous books and scientific articles.
Have a question? Our team is here to help. Call us at 415-502-5800. Our hours are Monday through Friday: 8:30 a.m.–5:00 p.m.
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Services we offer
Our clinic performs these services:
- Outpatient and inpatient oral medicine consultations
- Biopsy of oral lesions
- Pre- head-and-neck radiation oral health consultations
- Management for oral lesions and orofacial pain
- Oral appliances, trigger point injections for pain management
- Management of sleep apnea by sleep appliances
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Oral medicine
Oral medicine bridges the gap between dentistry and medicine, focusing on diagnosing and managing diseases and conditions that affect the mouth and jaws. This primarily non-surgical specialty uses diagnostic biopsies, minor procedures, and medical treatments such as topical or systemic medications to manage oral conditions.
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Oral oncology and dysplasia
UCSF Health offers one of the only programs in the U.S. for oral dysplasia, a precancerous condition affecting the lips, mouth or tongue. We welcome patients who were diagnosed with oral dysplasia or oral cancer in the past and those at risk for these conditions.
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Sjögren's Syndrome
The UCSF Sjögren's Syndrome Clinic, part of the UCSF Health Oral Medicine Clinical Center, provides expert evaluation and treatment of the oral manifestations of Sjögren's syndrome. Our oral medicine specialists work closely with UCSF rheumatologists, ophthalmologists, and other providers to support comprehensive diagnosis and care.
Appointments and referrals
Information on scheduling appointments, virtual visits, and referrals to UCSF Oral Medicine.
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To schedule your first appointment, please call us at 415-476-2045 or email us at oralmed@ucsf.edu.
Please bring all records related to any previous treatment of these conditions and fill out our registration and medical history form. Before seeing one of the oral medicine specialists, you will meet with an oral medicine resident or student (working under the supervision of the faculty) to review your past medical history and perform an examination. The attending oral medicine specialist will then see you together with the resident or student. Our team's top priority is to provide you with excellent, patient-centered care. -
Please ask your provider to fill out the following form and return it to us before your appointment.
Getting here
Our clinic address is 513 Parnassus Avenue, S-722, San Francisco, CA 94143, which is in the Medical Sciences Building on UCSF's Parnassus campus.
Note: We are not located in the UCSF Dental Center building.
The entrance to 513 Parnassus is restricted, so you must enter through the UCSF Hellen Diller Medical Center entrance (505 Parnassus).
After entering the main entrance to the hospital, turn right to follow the corridor towards the double doors. Go through the sets of double doors to enter the Medical Sciences Building, and turn left to go to the elevators. We are located on the 7th floor. You will see the signs directing you to the clinic.
Parking
Paid public parking is available at the Millberry Union Garage, with entrances located at 500 Parnassus Avenue and on Irving Street, just east of Third Avenue.
Transit
Muni bus lines 6 Hayes-Parnassus and 43 Masonic stop at both 707 and 513 Parnassus Ave. The N-Judah light-rail line stops on Irving Street at the Millberry Union Garage; take the elevator up to Parnassus Avenue.
UCSF operates a free shuttle that takes visitors, employees, and patients to its various campuses and other locations in San Francisco. For information, including shuttle maps and schedules, please visit the UCSF transportation website.
Payment and insurance options
Insurance
The Sol Silverman Oral Medicine Clinic accepts medical insurance, not dental insurance. If you have an HMO or other health insurance that requires a pre-authorization for a consultation with an oral medicine specialist, please have your referring provider obtain the authorization before your appointment. We also recommend calling our clinic prior to your visit to confirm the authorization was received and approved. If your plan requires pre-authorization and it has not been obtained, you will be responsible for payment at the time of your consultation.
See the full list of health insurance companies that have contracts with UCSF as well as Medicare Advantage and Medi-Cal programs that are accepted here.
Payment
Please be prepared to make full payment when the service is provided. We accept cash, check, or credit cards.
Meet our providers
The outstanding faculty at UCSF’s Sol Silverman Oral Medicine Clinic carry on the tradition established by their namesake, oral medicine pioneer Sol Silverman. Dr. Silverman even mentored some of the dental professionals in leadership positions today. The outstanding oral medicine practitioners at UCSF have trained at the nation’s top medical and dental schools, published groundbreaking research papers, and received numerous honors for their work.