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Paying for dental care and finding a dentist can feel confusing. Here are the main ways families get help, and what to ask before a visit.
Many families worry about cost, and some put dental visits off because of it. Programs from the government and from health centers exist to help. Which ones apply to your family depends on where you live, your income and your child’s age, so it is worth asking.
You do not have to figure it out alone. Your dentist’s office, your child’s doctor and your state program can point you to the right place.
Ask your grown-up: Who helps us pay for the dentist? Where can we go? It is okay to ask!
Healthy teeth matter for every child. That is why there are programs to help families get dental care, even when money is tight.
You can try more than one of these. Start with the one that fits your family best.
Free or low-cost coverage for many kids.
Kids’ dental must be offered. You choose whether to buy it.
Many set prices by family income.
Students treat patients with a licensed dentist watching.
Programs near you, or call 2-1-1.
HRSA, the federal health resources agency, suggests asking a dental office or clinic questions like these:
Each card gives the short version, one thing to know, and a question to ask. Details vary by state, so check with your own program.
In kid words: A program from your state that helps families pay for check-ups and care.
Good to know: Children in Medicaid get dental care through a benefit called EPSDT. It covers relief from pain and infection, fixing teeth and routine care. A check-up with your child’s doctor does not replace a dentist’s exam. Rules vary by state.
Ask: “Is my child eligible, and which dentists near us accept Medicaid?”
In kid words: Help for kids whose families earn too much for Medicaid but still need support.
Good to know: CHIP covers children up to age 19 in many states. Separate CHIP programs must cover dental care that prevents disease and keeps mouths healthy. What is included varies by state.
Ask: “Does our state’s CHIP cover dental care, and what does it include?”
In kid words: Health plans families can buy. Kids’ dental is part of the offer.
Good to know: For a child 18 or younger, dental must be available, either inside a health plan or as a separate dental plan. You are not required to buy it.
Ask: “Is kids’ dental included, or is it a separate plan with its own cost?”
In kid words: Clinics near you that help families, whatever they earn.
Good to know: Many health centers supported by HRSA base what you pay on your income. HRSA lists them, and its page on finding dental care explains how.
Ask: “Do you offer a sliding fee, and do you have dental care?”
In kid words: Students learn by caring for patients while a licensed dentist watches.
Good to know: Care is given by students under licensed supervision and is often lower in cost. Dental hygiene schools may offer low-cost cleanings.
Ask: “Do you treat children, and how do I make an appointment?”
In kid words: Your state and your town may have programs too.
Good to know: State health departments and oral health programs may list free or low-cost care. Calling 2-1-1 can also point you to local services.
Ask: “What dental programs near us help children?”
No. A check-up or oral screening during a physical does not replace an exam by a dentist, according to Medicaid.gov. Children in Medicaid need a dentist visit on the schedule their state sets.
No. For a child 18 or younger, dental coverage must be available, either in a health plan or as a separate dental plan. You are not required to buy it. Ask what it would cost.
Ask early. Calling a few places before a visit costs nothing. Ask about sliding fees, payment plans, and whether the office accepts your coverage.
Check your state. Medicaid and CHIP rules differ by state. States must list participating Medicaid and CHIP dental providers and benefits on InsureKidsNow.gov.
Keep a list. If one place cannot help, ask who else might. A health center or dental school nearby may be the next step.
Programs and rules change. A quick call to your state program or the dental office is the best way to get current answers.
Often, yes. Community health centers may set prices by income, dental schools offer care from supervised students, and state or local programs may help. Ask each about sliding fees and payment plans.
The Insure Kids Now “Find a Dentist” tool lists dentists who see children and accept Medicaid or CHIP. States must list participating providers on InsureKidsNow.gov. You can also call the office and ask.
Children in Medicaid get dental care through EPSDT. It must at least cover relief of pain and infection, restoring teeth and routine care. If a problem is found, the state must cover medically necessary treatment. Each state sets its own details.
Tell the dentist. Ask which treatment matters most now, what could happen if some of it waits, and whether there is a payment plan or a lower-cost clinic that could help.
Your state health department or oral health program may list care and can sometimes help with transportation. You can also dial 2-1-1 to ask about local services.
The statements about Medicaid, CHIP, Marketplace dental coverage and ways to find low-cost care come from the sources below. Programs, eligibility and phone numbers differ by state and change over time, so check with your own state program or the office you call. The NIDCR fact sheet is an archived 2020 publication; check that its details are still current.
Review status: pending. This page has not yet been reviewed by a clinician or by the site owner.
This website is for education only and does not replace care from your dentist, physician, or emergency services.