Free & low-cost pediatric dentists in Hawaii
Hawaii has 136 active federally-funded community health centers across 34 cities and towns offering pediatric and family dental care to Medicaid, CHIP, and uninsured children. The state's Medicaid dental program is administered by Med-QUEST.
Medicaid & CHIP dental coverage for kids in Hawaii
If your child is enrolled in Med-QUEST or Med-QUEST, pediatric dental care is a covered benefit at no cost to your family. Pediatric dental benefit covers preventive and basic restorative services without copay. 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 Hawaii.
Who qualifies in Hawaii?
Hawaii covers children under 19 in families earning up to 313% of the federal poverty level through Med-QUEST. That works out to the following gross household income limits for 2026:
| Family size | Annual income limit | Monthly income limit |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $47,138 | $3,928 |
| 2 | $63,977 | $5,331 |
| 3 | $80,817 | $6,735 |
| 4 | $97,656 | $8,138 |
| 5 | $114,495 | $9,541 |
| 6 | $131,335 | $10,945 |
Income limits are based on the 2024 federal poverty guidelines (the most recent published) and the state's 313% threshold. If your income is over the limit, you may still qualify for Hawaii'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 Hawaii dental guides
Long-form, parent-friendly guides written specifically for Hawaii families. Each one combines real Med-QUEST rules with practical advice from community dentists.
Medicaid dental coverage for kids in Hawaii
Read the Hawaii guide →
Children's dentistry essentials in Hawaii
Read the Hawaii guide →
Emergency dental care in Hawaii — what to do when a tooth can't wait
Read the Hawaii guide →
Sliding-fee dental pricing in Hawaii — how community health centers calculate what you pay
Read the Hawaii guide →
Browse Hawaii by city
Below are the cities in Hawaii 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.
Honolulu
27 clinics
Waianae
20 clinics
Lihue
10 clinics
Kaunakakai
10 clinics
Wahiawa
8 clinics
Kailua Kona
6 clinics
Hilo
6 clinics
Waimanalo
4 clinics
Honokaa
4 clinics
Pahoa
3 clinics
Kealakekua
3 clinics
Wailuku
3 clinics
Kahuku
3 clinics
Kihei
2 clinics
Kapaau
2 clinics
Waimea
2 clinics
Waipahu
2 clinics
Kapolei
2 clinics
Hana
2 clinics
Waikoloa
2 clinics
Kapaa
2 clinics
Naalehu
1 clinic
Lanai City
1 clinic
Laupahoehoe
1 clinic
All cities in Hawaii
Every city in Hawaii with at least one HRSA-funded community health center.