Finding Low-Cost

Dental Care

The National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research (NIDCR), one of 

the federal government’s National Institutes of Health (NIH), leads the nation 

in conducting and supporting research to improve oral health. As a research 

organization, NIDCR does not provide financial assistance for dental treatment. 

The resources listed below, however, may help you find the dental care you need. 

You also can contact the NIDCR’s National Oral Health Information Center at 

1–866–232–4528 or nidcrinfo@mail.nih.gov if you have questions or need 

additional information.

Note: Some of the resources offer an internet address but no phone number. If 

you do not have internet access, you may wish to call the NIDCR toll-free number 

(listed above), visit your local library, or ask a friend or family member for help.

CLINICAL TRIALS NIDCR sometimes seeks volunteers with specific dental, oral, and craniofacial 

conditions to participate in research studies, also known as clinical trials. 

Researchers may provide study participants with limited free or low-cost dental 

treatment for the particular condition they are studying. To learn more about 

clinical trials, visit the NIDCR web site at www.nidcr.nih.gov and click on 

“Health Info” and then “Clinical Trials” (left side of page). To find a clinical 

trial, contact:

3⁄4 ClinicalTrials.gov (www.clinicaltrials.gov)—a database of government and 

private clinical trials in the United States and around the world.

3⁄4 NIH Clinical Research Studies (http://clinicalstudies.info.nih.gov)—a database 

of clinical trials at the NIH Clinical Center in Bethesda, Maryland; to talk with 

someone about studies at the Clinical Center, call: 1–800–411–1222.

DENTAL SCHOOLS 

AND DENTAL HYGIENE 

SCHOOLS

Dental schools can be a good source of quality, reduced-cost dental treatment. 

Most of these teaching facilities have clinics that allow dental students to gain 

experience treating patients while providing care at a reduced cost. Experienced, 

licensed dentists closely supervise the students. At most schools, there are also 

clinics where graduate students and faculty members provide care.

Dental hygiene schools may offer supervised, low-cost preventive dental care 

as part of the training experience for dental hygiene students. To find a dental or 

dental hygiene school in your area, contact:

3⁄4 Dental Schools—American Dental Association (www.ada.org/en/coda/find-a-

 program). 

3⁄4 Dental Hygiene Schools—American Dental Hygienists’ Association

(www.adha.org/dental-hygiene-programs).
COMMUNITY HEALTH 

CENTERS

The federal government’s Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), runs 

federally funded community health centers across the country that provide free or 

reduced-cost health services, including dental care. To find a health center in your 

area, visit:

3⁄4 HRSA.gov (www.hrsa.gov) and scroll down to “Find Health Services” and click on 

the “Health Center” link.

MEDICAID AND CHIP 3⁄4 Medicaid is a state-run program that provides medical benefits—and in some 

cases dental benefits—to eligible individuals and families. States are required to 

provide dental benefits for children covered by Medicaid, but states can choose 

whether to provide dental benefits for adults. Most states provide only limited 

dental services for adults, while some offer extensive services. Visit the Medicaid 

website (www.medicaid.gov) and click on “Learn How to Apply for Coverage” 

or contact your state Medicaid program (www.medicaid.gov/about-us/contact-us/

contact-your-state-questions/index.html).

3⁄4 CHIP is a state-run program for children whose families earn too much to qualify for 

Medicaid but can’t afford private insurance. CHIP provides dental services to children 

up to age 19. Dental services covered under this program vary from state to state. To 

find children’s dental care programs in your state, visit Insure Kids Now 

(www.insurekidsnow.gov/coverage/index.html) or call 1–877–KIDS–NOW 

(1–877–543–7669).

MEDICARE 3⁄4 Medicare is a federal health insurance program for people 65 and older and for people 

under 65 with specific disabilities. Medicare only covers dental services related to 

certain medical conditions or treatments. It does not cover dentures or most routine 

care like checkups, cleanings, or fillings. Visit Medicare Dental Services 

(www.medicare.gov/coverage/dental-services) or call 1–800–MEDICARE 

(1–800–633–4227). Have your Medicare number handy when you call.

STATE AND LOCAL 

RESOURCES

Your state or local health department may know of programs in your area that offer 

free or reduced-cost dental care. To find state and local resources: 

3⁄4 Call your local or state health department to learn more about their financial 

assistance programs.

3⁄4 Call 2–1–1 to find services in your area.

UNITED WAY The United Way may be able to direct you to free or reduced-cost dental services in 

your community. To find the United Way in your area, visit:

3⁄4 United Way (www.unitedway.org) and click on “Find Your United Way.”

For additional copies of this fact sheet contact:

National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research

National Oral Health Information Center

1 NOHIC Way

Bethesda, Maryland 20892–3500

1–866–232–4528

www.nidcr.nih.gov

This publication is not copyrighted. Make as many photocopies as you need.

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH 

AND HUMAN SERVICES

National Institutes of Health

NIH Publication No. 20-6097 

August 2020