Free & low-cost pediatric dentists in Kentucky
Kentucky has 673 active federally-funded community health centers across 182 cities and towns offering pediatric and family dental care to Medicaid, CHIP, and uninsured children. The state's Medicaid dental program is administered by Kentucky Medicaid.
Medicaid & CHIP dental coverage for kids in Kentucky
If your child is enrolled in Kentucky Medicaid or KCHIP, pediatric dental care is a covered benefit at no cost to your family. KCHIP covers cleanings, fillings, sealants, and orthodontia (when medically necessary). 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 Kentucky.
Who qualifies in Kentucky?
Kentucky covers children under 19 in families earning up to 218% of the federal poverty level through KCHIP. That works out to the following gross household income limits for 2026:
| Family size | Annual income limit | Monthly income limit |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $32,831 | $2,736 |
| 2 | $44,559 | $3,713 |
| 3 | $56,288 | $4,691 |
| 4 | $68,016 | $5,668 |
| 5 | $79,744 | $6,645 |
| 6 | $91,473 | $7,623 |
Income limits are based on the 2024 federal poverty guidelines (the most recent published) and the state's 218% threshold. If your income is over the limit, you may still qualify for Kentucky'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 Kentucky dental guides
Long-form, parent-friendly guides written specifically for Kentucky families. Each one combines real Kentucky Medicaid rules with practical advice from community dentists.
Medicaid dental coverage for kids in Kentucky
Read the Kentucky guide →
Children's dentistry essentials in Kentucky
Read the Kentucky guide →
Emergency dental care in Kentucky — what to do when a tooth can't wait
Read the Kentucky guide →
Sliding-fee dental pricing in Kentucky — how community health centers calculate what you pay
Read the Kentucky guide →
Browse Kentucky by city
Below are the cities in Kentucky 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.
Louisville
29 clinics
Lexington
27 clinics
Bowling Green
24 clinics
Elizabethtown
18 clinics
Glasgow
17 clinics
Corbin
14 clinics
Whitesburg
14 clinics
Owensboro
13 clinics
Monticello
11 clinics
Carrollton
10 clinics
Russell Springs
10 clinics
Hazard
9 clinics
Mount Sterling
9 clinics
Covington
9 clinics
Nicholasville
8 clinics
Jackson
8 clinics
Lebanon
8 clinics
Owenton
8 clinics
Somerset
8 clinics
Barbourville
8 clinics
Pineville
8 clinics
Columbia
7 clinics
Maysville
7 clinics
Stanton
7 clinics
All cities in Kentucky
Every city in Kentucky with at least one HRSA-funded community health center.