Santa Cruz, CA · 20 community health centers

Free pediatric dentists in Santa Cruz, California

There are 20 federally-funded community health centers in Santa Cruz offering pediatric and family dental services on a sliding-fee scale. Every site listed below accepts Medi-Cal / Denti-Cal and Medi-Cal for Kids.

About community dental care in Santa Cruz

If you're searching for an affordable children's dentist in Santa Cruz, the clinics below are your best starting point. They are all federally-funded health centers, which means they're legally required to serve every patient regardless of ability to pay and to offer a sliding-fee scale tied to household income. For families enrolled in Medi-Cal / Denti-Cal or Medi-Cal for Kids, all medically-necessary pediatric dental care is covered at no cost.

When you call, ask for the dental department and tell them your child's age and what kind of visit you need (first visit, routine cleaning, urgent toothache, etc.). Most Santa Cruz community health centers can offer a same-week pediatric appointment, and several run dedicated kids' dental clinics or school-based programs.

Bring your insurance card (Medicaid, CHIP, or private), a photo ID for the parent or guardian, and any of the child's recent dental records if you have them. If you don't have insurance, bring a recent pay stub or tax return so the clinic can calculate your sliding-fee discount on the spot. Most families pay between $25 and $80 for a complete pediatric exam, x-rays, cleaning, and fluoride treatment.

All clinics in Santa Cruz