UCLA Guard Skyy Clark Receives Midnight Dental Care After Chipped Tooth

A quick response from a local dentist allowed the player to return to the game within 40 seconds of the injury.

Mar. 22, 2026 at 10:50am

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UCLA guard Skyy Clark suffered a chipped tooth during the first round of the NCAA Tournament, leading to an emergency dental visit in Philadelphia around midnight. Dr. Jeffrey Goldfine, a local dentist, performed a 90-minute procedure to remove the nerve, shape the remaining tooth, and fit a temporary crown, allowing Clark to return to the game quickly and continue playing in the tournament.

Why it matters

The ability to provide immediate, specialized medical care to injured athletes, even during high-stakes events like the NCAA Tournament, is becoming increasingly important. Teams are investing in robust medical support systems to minimize downtime for key players and ensure their well-being throughout the competition.

The details

With a portion of his top front tooth dislodged during a scramble for a loose ball, Clark found himself facing an emergency dental visit. Teammate Jack Seidler retrieved the fragment, though it was deemed unsalvageable. Dr. Goldfine, called in around midnight, performed the procedure involving anesthesia, nerve removal, and shaping the remaining tooth to accommodate a temporary crown. The timing of the injury was critical, as a prolonged dental issue could have significantly impacted Clark's ability to compete in the tournament.

  • Around midnight, Dr. Goldfine performed the 90-minute dental procedure on Skyy Clark.
  • Clark was able to return to the game within 40 seconds of the injury.

The players

Skyy Clark

A UCLA guard who suffered a chipped tooth during the first round of the NCAA Tournament.

Dr. Jeffrey Goldfine

A dentist in Bala Cynwyd, Pennsylvania, who performed the emergency dental procedure on Skyy Clark.

Jack Seidler

Skyy Clark's teammate who retrieved the dislodged tooth fragment.

Mick Cronin

The head coach of the UCLA basketball team.

Trent Perry

A teammate of Skyy Clark.

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What they’re saying

“I felt it instantly. I kind of put my tongue where my tooth was and I felt nothing there, and I was like, 'Yeah, it's gone.'”

— Skyy Clark

“He shot me up with anesthesia. He had to take the nerve out, take the root out, shave my tooth down to a nub, put in a new one, and it was like new.”

— Skyy Clark

“He's still going to require some further treatment, but we patched him up with a temporary crown and he's good to chew, good to smile, good to play ball.”

— Dr. Jeffrey Goldfine, Dentist

“At the conclude of the day, he's a dog. He'll do everything for us to win.”

— Trent Perry, Teammate

“He looked so good in the locker room. Looks like a boxer.”

— Mick Cronin, Head Coach

What’s next

Clark was fitted with a mouthguard and plans to wear it during the game against UConn as a preventative measure. He will also need to see his team dentist in Los Angeles after the tournament to receive a permanent crown.

The takeaway

Skyy Clark's situation exemplifies the growing trend of providing rapid, specialized care for injured athletes, even during high-stakes events like the NCAA Tournament. This allows teams to minimize downtime for key players and ensure their well-being throughout the competition, ultimately improving their chances of success.