Clinics that provide free dental care.
Low-income patients and people with no insurance can get free dental care from a clinic. Patients will get free or low cost dental care, both preventative or emergency, from a community center. Often the organizations use volunteer dentists or they are charities that operate as part of the Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC) services and find details on free dental clinics below.
The goal of the centers, including mobile dental clinics, is to ensure people of all ages and means have access to some form of dental care, regardless of their income or insurance coverage. People with little or no money, that are going through a financial hardship, often turn to them for heavily subsidized or free dental work as maybe the coverage on their current insurance policy does not pay for the treatment they need. Whether it is teeth extractions, exams, or or regular oral hygiene needs such as preventative teeth cleaning it is possible to get free treatment.
Charities and volunteer clinics that have free dental services
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Most parts of the country will have a income based or free dental clinic that may be near you. Most of the funding for these low-cost or free sites comes from the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA). As the government does offer some financial help as part of the Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC) or Rural Dental Health Clinics (RHCs) programs. As part of the government funding that these clinics receive, they are obligated to offer free or reduced-cost medical services, including dental care, to people of all backgrounds as well as income levels.
- The type of care is wide ranging. They provide assistance, including cleanings, surgeries X-rays, root canals and other care to the uninsured as well as people that can’t afford to pay for dental on their own. The goal is to help anyone in need and not turn patients away. There are also dental clinics that partner with local municipalities to help families on Medicaid or Medicare, locations that use volunteer dentists, and some that cover patients on the Affordable Care Act. Find a list of dental clinics near you.
Mission of Mercy mobile dental clinics, part of America’s Dentists Care Foundation or ADCF, give free care to anyone in need. The locations of these clinics change but the dates and locations are published well in advance. These are "mobile clinics" meaning that the location of the care is from a temporary center and find details on the Mission of Mercy mobile dental centers. https://adcf.net/clinic-schedule/.
The federal government also regulates many dental providers as part of the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA). Depending on some factors, including your income, family size, and insurance status, the dental exams and checks are free per HRSA, however some people may need to contribute towards their bills.
- The dental care will be billed to the patient on a sliding fee, income based approach. However if your income is low enough, the care offered at these dental clinics should be offered at no cost. Read more on the Health Resources and Services Administration.
Some free or income based clinics offer emergency dental care as well. This will be for work including tooth extractions, root canals, wisdom teeth removals, or another crisis that can come up quickly. While the hours vary, some are open today for an emergency dental needs and many have weekend hours as well. Learn more on free emergency teeth extractions.
Dental schools or “teaching hospitals” often have free clinics. These can be run in partnership with a local dental practice or have retired board certified dentists that treat patients in partnership with the student. The locations will often offer care to all patients, however a focus tends to be on kids and seniors. The services are extensive and will range from cleaning teeth to more advanced dental care, such as root canals or extractions. The process benefits everyone involved as the students gain experience, and families and individuals get access to needed care at no cost to them. Read more on dental school and college clinics.
The NAFC (National Association of Free Clinics) has details on local health and dental centers. While the focus is on medical, many of the clinics listed also offer some form of income based dental services. Or they give referrals. Locate lists of national association clinics that help unemployed as well as low income families.
Government benefit programs that pay for care from a dental clinic
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Medicaid is accepted by many clinics. The government insurance is for very low income families or people living in poverty. The affordable or free dental coverage provided by this program is limited in nature and varies by state. Some income based clinics give free dental to low-income households on Medicaid or families that live in or near poverty levels Note that all young adults / kids under the age of 21 that are covered by Medicaid will get free based dental per the Early and Periodic Screening, Diagnostic and Treatment government benefit.
- The states that provide dental care from Medicaid vary it what is covered and what is not. In general, most routine dental care (that is preventative in nature) is covered. Some state Medicaid insurance programs cover more extensive treatment too like dentures and other oral needs. The list of states that offer Medicaid dental service, often in partnership with community clinics, is here. https://www.carequest.org/Medicaid-Adult-Dental-Coverage-Checker.
Medicare is funded by the federal government. It is a health insurance program that is available for people who are 65 years and older or for those patients who have specific disabilities or a special need. It can often pay for emergency dental care that is needed by the patient at an urgent clinic or hospital. Other dental treatment can be offered from Medicare too and learn more on Medicare health insurance.
CHIP (Children’s Health Insurance Program) is another potential solution to get free dental for parents with limited income or no other insurance. Many clinics take it as a form of payment. It is a government program, similar to Medicaid, for children under the age of 19 if they do not have private insurance coverage. The exact type dental benefits for CHIP are set by your state government as however it will generally pay for teeth cleaning for children, fluoride, and other preventative measures. Learn more on CHIP for dental care.
Kids can almost always get free dental at a clinic or other charity. As many organizations try to get young people (infants, teens, students, etc) on the path for long term oral health. Find other dental care programs for children.
Local Social Services departments (or your state’s equivalent) can be another resource as can a local public health department. Never hesitate to check with government offices to get information on reduced priced services, insurance benefits or free dental care. Find details of government benefits by state.
Free community dental clinics by state
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Free or low cost, income based dental work is offered at thousands of community clinics and health-care centers nationwide. If a clinic can’t meet your specific need then they may have referrals for you. Find your state below for more information on a dental center that will provide a number of free or affordable services to children as well as adults.
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 often arrange free dental services
It is widely recognized how important oral health is to overall wellness. A number of charities and community clinics, many that have volunteer or full time dentists on staff, try to provide as much help they can to people that lack dental insurance or the money to pay for treatment. In addition, needhelppayingbills.com has referrals and information on many of our dental partner organizations, that also can provide referrals or coordinate care.
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