Free and low-cost dental clinics
Low-income patients and people without dental insurance may receive free or reduced-cost dental care. There are services offered at income-based, sliding fee community clinics or health centers. These clinics provide preventative, routine, and emergency dental services using sliding-fee or no-cost pricing based on income and household size. Using our guide, find information below about the main types of dental clinics available and links to state-level listings as well as other programs.
Many of these providers operate as part of federally supported programs such as FQHC - Federally Qualified Health Center. Others are part of charitable organizations or volunteer-based clinics. Services vary by location and may include cleanings, exams, X-rays, fillings, extractions, root canals, and other essential dental treatment. The locations offer affordable or free dental care through several main channels. The sections below explain each option and link to local resources on the page.
Find local clinics for dental services in your area
While this page provides information on how charitable or government funded dental centers run and the type of help that may be available, the majority of community clinics and health centers that offer dental care are operated locally. They often include Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHC) and Rural Health Clinics (RHCs) To find a program by city, county, or state, including contact details (address, phone, etc) visit the dental clinic directory at https://www.needhelppayingbills.com/html/dental_clinic_near_you.html.
Charities and volunteer clinics that may offer free dental services
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Mission of Mercy mobile dental clinics, operated by the America’s Dentists Care Foundation (ADCF), provide free dental care during scheduled events across the country. These temporary clinics publish dates and locations in advance and offer services to anyone in need while capacity allows. See the Mission of Mercy clinic schedule at https://adcf.net/clinic-schedule/.
Many dental clinics use a sliding-fee scale based on income and household size. Patients with very low income (or no insurance) may receive care at no cost, while others contribute a reduced amount. As a condition of any government funding, clinics must provide dental care regardless of a patients ability to pay the bills. Dental services are therefore offered regardless of the person’s insurance status or income. More information on federally supported clinics is available from the page about Health Resources and Services Administration.
Some community clinics or volunteer dental programs also provide emergency dental care. While this too will vary based on location and other factors, the urgent care can including extractions (including wisdom teeth removals), root canals or treatment for severe pain or infection. Availability and hours of free emergency dental services vary by location, and not all clinics offer emergency services.
Dental schools and teaching clinics are another option. These programs allow students to gain supervised experience while providing low-cost care to patients, with rarely free services offered to people who meet specific conditions based on location. Services are extensive and often include cleanings, exams, fillings, extractions, and other procedures, with a common focus on children and seniors. The process at dental school and college clinics benefits everyone involved as the students gain experience, and families and individuals get access to needed care at no cost to them.
The National Association of Free Clinics maintains listings of nonprofit health clinics nationwide. While many focus on medical care, some also offer dental services or provide referrals. Some clinics partner with local government municipalities to serve patients covered by Medicaid or Affordable Care Act plans, while others rely on volunteer dentists to expand access. Use the non-profit (website: https://nafcclinics.org/find-clinic/) to find a center that will help struggling people.
Government benefit programs that can help pay for care from a dental clinic
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Several federal government benefit programs help pay for dental care provided at community clinics and health centers. Some states may also help pay for some limited dental services. All of these are based on households income, government funded levels and other criteria.
Medicaid is accepted by many dental clinics and provides free dental coverage for children under age 21 through the Early and Periodic Screening, Diagnostic and Treatment benefit. In general, this will pay for necessary dental treatment - both preventative and emergency care and the federal government mandates that states offer it.
- Additional state specific coverage for adult dental coverage under Medicaid varies by state as well as household income levels. Where it is available, a state Medicaid program may also include preventative services, extractions, dentures, or emergency care depending on state policy. A current overview of adult Medicaid dental coverage by state is available at https://www.carequest.org/Medicaid-Adult-Dental-Coverage-Checker.
Medicare can pay for medically necessary dental care that takes places in a hospital setting, but this is limited and has various rules. Medicare generally does not cover routine dental care. In limited situations, Medicare health insurance coverage rules are specific and should be confirmed with Medicare directly.
The Children’s Health Insurance Program provides dental coverage for children under the age of 19. The coverage is an option for families with income too high for Medicaid but too low for private insurance. Many clinics take it as a form of payment. Covered services using CHIP for dental care vary by state but typically include exams, cleanings, fluoride treatments, and other preventative care that is focused on children or teens, with benefits determined by each state.
- In addition to CHIP, kids may be get free dental at a clinic or other charity. As many non-profit organizations work to arrange dental care programs for children as well as try to get young people (infants, teens, students, etc) on the path for long term oral health.
Local and state social services departments and public health offices can also provide information on reduced-cost dental services, including volunteer run clinics. They may have lists of other federally qualified health care centers that offer sliding fee dental care, a social service office may have information on insurance options, and offer other referrals. Find more details about government benefits by state, which can sometimes include additional dental assistance programs.
Examples of free dental clinics by state
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Free or low-cost dental care is offered at thousands of community clinics / health care centers nationwide. Select a state below to view dental clinics that provide income-based or free services for adults and children.
Alabama
Arizona
Arkansas
California
Colorado
Connecticut
Delaware
Florida
Georgia
Idaho
Illinois
Indiana
Iowa
Kansas
Kentucky
Louisiana
Maine
Maryland
Massachusetts
Michigan
Minnesota
Mississippi
Missouri
Nevada
New Hampshire
New Jersey
New Mexico
New York
North Carolina
Ohio
Oklahoma
Oregon
Pennsylvania
Rhode Island
South Carolina
Tennessee
Texas
Utah
Vermont
Virginia
Washington
Washington DC
West Virginia
Wisconsin
Conclusion - Charities and non-profit clinics try to arrange free dental services
Access to dental care is essential to overall health, yet many people lack insurance or the ability to pay for preventative treatment not to mention emergency services or oral surgery. Charity run programs, community clinics, dental schools, and government-supported health centers are all options when seeking help. Or if you are looking for even more local tips or resources, we have a forum topic about dental care clinics where people from across the country share real life experiences.
You can read how NeedHelpPayingBills.com provides verified and trusted information about dental and health care. As the information on the site will help people find versified, free or reduced-cost dental services. Availability and eligibility vary by location, but most communities have at least one resource that can help.
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