If you cannot afford a dentist, a dental clinic can still treat you
Dental clinics exist for people who cannot afford a private dentist. Some are free, run by charities and volunteers. Some are federally funded health centers that charge based on your income. And some are run by the government itself, for groups such as veterans and members of federally recognized tribes.
This page explains each type of clinic, what the care costs, what services to expect, and which benefit programs pay for care there. When you are ready to look one up, see the state and county directory of dental clinics.
Free dental clinics run by charities and volunteers
There are about 1,400 free and charitable clinics across the country. They are nonprofits, staffed largely by volunteer dentists, doctors, and nurses, and they serve people who are uninsured or whose insurance does not cover what they need. Some of these clinics provide only dental care, and many others include dental alongside medical care.
Care at these clinics is free or costs a small fee, and no one is turned away for being unable to pay a requested fee. Each clinic sets its own rules; many serve people below a certain income, and some only serve residents of their own county, so call before you go and ask what to bring. You can search for one by city or zip code with the locator run by the National Association of Free and Charitable Clinics at https://nafcclinics.org/find-clinic/.
Volunteer dentists also hold large free weekend events, called Mission of Mercy clinics, that treat everyone they can on a first-come basis. The national schedule of these events is at https://adcf.net/clinic-schedule/, and the full guide to free dental events, including Remote Area Medical clinics, is at the free or low-cost dental care programs guide page.
Community health centers that charge based on your income
Community health centers receive federal money to treat people whether or not they can pay. Many of them include a dental clinic. Instead of one price for everyone, they use a sliding fee scale: what you pay is based on your income and family size, and it can be very low if you have little or nothing coming in.
To use the sliding fee, bring proof of your income, such as recent pay stubs, a tax return, or a benefits letter. If you have no income, tell them that; they will still see you. These clinics also accept Medicaid, CHIP, Medicare, and private insurance if you have any of them.
Dental services vary from one health center to the next. Most provide exams, cleanings, fillings, and extractions, and some offer more, so call and ask exactly which dental services they provide. Many hold same-day appointments for people in pain; if that is you, say the word emergency when you call, and see the guide at how to get emergency dental care even if you cannot pay. Find the closest health center with the official government locator at https://findahealthcenter.hrsa.gov.
Dental clinics run by the government
Beyond paying for care through the benefit programs below, some levels of government run dental clinics directly.
Many county and city health departments operate dental clinics that charge based on income. There is no national list of them, so call your county or city health department and ask whether they run one. The state pages in the directory above include health department clinics where they exist.
The Indian Health Service provides dental care to American Indians and Alaska Natives at IHS, Tribal, and Urban Indian health facilities. The dental clinics are usually located inside IHS hospitals and health centers, so when you find a facility, call and confirm it has a dental program. The IHS page for patients, with a facility locator, is at https://www.ihs.gov/dentistry/patient-resources/. Questions about whether you qualify go to the patient registration office at the facility.
The Department of Veterans Affairs runs dental clinics, but free VA dental care is limited to specific groups, and many veterans enrolled in VA health care do not qualify for it. The groups that do include veterans with a service-connected dental condition, former prisoners of war, veterans rated 100 percent disabled due to service-connected conditions, recently discharged veterans who apply within 180 days, and veterans in the VA homeless program, among other narrower categories. Check your own situation on the official page at https://www.va.gov/health-care/about-va-health-benefits/dental-care/, and know that you must be enrolled in VA health care first.
- NOTE: Veterans who do not qualify for free VA dental care can buy reduced-cost private dental insurance through the VA Dental Insurance Program, called VADIP. That is insurance you pay for, not free care, and the details are on the same VA page.
Benefit programs that pay for care at a dental clinic
If you have Medicaid, the clinics referenced on this page accept it as a matter of course. Children's dental care is covered by Medicaid in every state, and what it covers for adults depends on your state. Your state may call the program by another name, such as Medi-Cal, MassHealth, TennCare, or Medical Assistance (MA); it is all Medicaid. To find out what your state covers, check your member handbook, call the number on your Medicaid card, or contact your state Medicaid agency. The full guide to using Medicaid at the dentist is at using Medicaid to get dental care.
Children in families that earn too much for Medicaid can often be covered through CHIP, which also includes dental care. That program is explained at NHPB guide to CHIP. If no one in your household has coverage, you may qualify and not know it, and the guide at seeing a dentist when you have no insurance covers how to check.
Medicare does not pay for most dental care. There are narrow exceptions when dental work is tied to certain covered medical treatments in a hospital setting. A plain-English guide for seniors on Medicare, including the other ways they get dental coverage, is at dental options for seniors on Medicare.
One more place to ask: your county social services office. Some counties have small emergency assistance funds or referral lists that can help with an urgent dental bill, and it costs nothing to ask when you are applying for other benefits.
What to expect at a clinic visit
Demand at free and low-cost clinics is high, so call rather than walk in, ask what documents to bring, and ask to be put on a cancellation list if the first opening is far off. Appointments can take longer than at a private office, especially at busy clinics. Ask for the fee schedule up front so there are no surprises, and if your problem is urgent, say so when you call.
Dental schools are a separate low-cost option worth knowing about, where supervised students provide care at a fraction of private prices. That guide is at what dental school clinics may offer.
Free community dental clinics by state
Free or low-cost dental care is offered at thousands of community clinics and health centers nationwide. Select your state below to view the dental clinics that provide income-based or free care 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
Questions, or want to hear what worked for others
You can ask about dental clinics on this site's help forum and read what has worked for other people. The forum is moderated, every discussion is reviewed for accuracy, and scams and dead programs are filtered out. The discussion is at the forum topic about dental care clinics.
This page shares resources and general information, not medical or dental advice; for questions about your teeth or your health, talk to a dentist or doctor. Every clinic sets its own services, fees, and rules, so confirm the details with the clinic before you go.
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