Free & low-cost pediatric dentists in California
California has 3,004 active federally-funded community health centers across 472 cities and towns offering pediatric and family dental care to Medicaid, CHIP, and uninsured children. The state's Medicaid dental program is administered by Medi-Cal / Denti-Cal.
Medicaid & CHIP dental coverage for kids in California
If your child is enrolled in Medi-Cal / Denti-Cal or Medi-Cal for Kids, pediatric dental care is a covered benefit at no cost to your family. Denti-Cal covers exams, x-rays, cleanings, sealants, fluoride, fillings, root canals, and crowns for kids. Federal EPSDT rules guarantee these benefits in every state, but the program brand name, managed-care administrator, and exact list of covered procedures vary, so the summary below is specific to California.
Who qualifies in California?
California covers children under 19 in families earning up to 266% of the federal poverty level through Medi-Cal for Kids. That works out to the following gross household income limits for 2026:
| Family size | Annual income limit | Monthly income limit |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $40,060 | $3,338 |
| 2 | $54,370 | $4,531 |
| 3 | $68,681 | $5,723 |
| 4 | $82,992 | $6,916 |
| 5 | $97,303 | $8,109 |
| 6 | $111,614 | $9,301 |
Income limits are based on the 2024 federal poverty guidelines (the most recent published) and the state's 266% threshold. If your income is over the limit, you may still qualify for California's sliding-fee scale at any community health center listed below.
What's covered for kids?
- Routine exams and cleanings every six months from age 1 onward.
- Fluoride varnish and protective dental sealants on permanent molars.
- Cavity fillings, including tooth-colored composite when clinically appropriate.
- Stainless-steel crowns and pulpotomies (baby root canals) for severely decayed teeth.
- Tooth extractions and emergency pain treatment.
- Orthodontia when medically necessary (cleft lip/palate, severe malocclusion).
What if we don't have insurance?
Every clinic in this directory is a federally-funded community health center. By law, these clinics must serve every patient regardless of insurance and must charge on a sliding fee scale tied to your household income. Bring a recent pay stub or tax return, and the clinic's enrollment counselor will calculate what you owe. Many families pay $25–$45 for a complete pediatric dental visit.
In-depth California dental guides
Long-form, parent-friendly guides written specifically for California families. Each one combines real Medi-Cal / Denti-Cal rules with practical advice from community dentists.
Medicaid dental coverage for kids in California
Read the California guide →
Children's dentistry essentials in California
Read the California guide →
Emergency dental care in California — what to do when a tooth can't wait
Read the California guide →
Sliding-fee dental pricing in California — how community health centers calculate what you pay
Read the California guide →
Browse California by city
Below are the cities in California with the most community health center sites. If your city isn't listed, scroll to the full alphabetical list at the bottom of this page or call the nearest clinic and ask about transportation assistance — most CHCs have established patient-transport programs.
Los Angeles
307 clinics
San Diego
103 clinics
San Francisco
88 clinics
Oakland
87 clinics
San Jose
75 clinics
Fresno
72 clinics
Sacramento
71 clinics
Santa Ana
48 clinics
Long Beach
45 clinics
Escondido
42 clinics
Bakersfield
38 clinics
Stockton
34 clinics
Anaheim
32 clinics
Modesto
29 clinics
Santa Maria
26 clinics
San Bernardino
25 clinics
Fremont
22 clinics
Chula Vista
21 clinics
Huntington Park
21 clinics
Oxnard
20 clinics
Santa Cruz
20 clinics
Salinas
20 clinics
Oceanside
20 clinics
Riverside
20 clinics
All cities in California
Every city in California with at least one HRSA-funded community health center.