Free & low-cost pediatric dentists in Delaware
Delaware has 15 active federally-funded community health centers across 9 cities and towns offering pediatric and family dental care to Medicaid, CHIP, and uninsured children. The state's Medicaid dental program is administered by Delaware Medical Assistance Program (DMAP).
Medicaid & CHIP dental coverage for kids in Delaware
If your child is enrolled in Delaware Medical Assistance Program (DMAP) or Delaware Healthy Children Program, pediatric dental care is a covered benefit at no cost to your family. Smile for Health dental benefit covers preventive and restorative services for children. 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 Delaware.
Who qualifies in Delaware?
Delaware covers children under 19 in families earning up to 217% of the federal poverty level through Delaware Healthy Children Program. That works out to the following gross household income limits for 2026:
| Family size | Annual income limit | Monthly income limit |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $32,680 | $2,723 |
| 2 | $44,355 | $3,696 |
| 3 | $56,029 | $4,669 |
| 4 | $67,704 | $5,642 |
| 5 | $79,379 | $6,615 |
| 6 | $91,053 | $7,588 |
Income limits are based on the 2024 federal poverty guidelines (the most recent published) and the state's 217% threshold. If your income is over the limit, you may still qualify for Delaware'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 Delaware dental guides
Long-form, parent-friendly guides written specifically for Delaware families. Each one combines real Delaware Medical Assistance Program (DMAP) rules with practical advice from community dentists.
Medicaid dental coverage for kids in Delaware
Read the Delaware guide →
Children's dentistry essentials in Delaware
Read the Delaware guide →
Emergency dental care in Delaware — what to do when a tooth can't wait
Read the Delaware guide →
Sliding-fee dental pricing in Delaware — how community health centers calculate what you pay
Read the Delaware guide →
Browse Delaware by city
Below are the cities in Delaware 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.