Free & low-cost pediatric dentists in Michigan
Michigan has 490 active federally-funded community health centers across 153 cities and towns offering pediatric and family dental care to Medicaid, CHIP, and uninsured children. The state's Medicaid dental program is administered by Healthy Michigan / MIChild.
Medicaid & CHIP dental coverage for kids in Michigan
If your child is enrolled in Healthy Michigan / MIChild or MIChild, pediatric dental care is a covered benefit at no cost to your family. Healthy Kids Dental delivers preventive and restorative care through Delta Dental and Blue Cross. 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 Michigan.
Who qualifies in Michigan?
Michigan covers children under 19 in families earning up to 217% of the federal poverty level through MIChild. 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 Michigan'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 Michigan dental guides
Long-form, parent-friendly guides written specifically for Michigan families. Each one combines real Healthy Michigan / MIChild rules with practical advice from community dentists.
Medicaid dental coverage for kids in Michigan
Read the Michigan guide →
Children's dentistry essentials in Michigan
Read the Michigan guide →
Emergency dental care in Michigan — what to do when a tooth can't wait
Read the Michigan guide →
Sliding-fee dental pricing in Michigan — how community health centers calculate what you pay
Read the Michigan guide →
Browse Michigan by city
Below are the cities in Michigan 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.
Detroit
59 clinics
Grand Rapids
26 clinics
Saginaw
20 clinics
Muskegon
20 clinics
Battle Creek
15 clinics
Alpena
15 clinics
Lansing
14 clinics
Pontiac
12 clinics
Flint
11 clinics
Monroe
10 clinics
Traverse City
7 clinics
Jackson
7 clinics
Petoskey
7 clinics
Kalamazoo
7 clinics
Carleton
7 clinics
Wyoming
6 clinics
Brimley
6 clinics
Mount Pleasant
5 clinics
Bay City
5 clinics
Adrian
5 clinics
Cheboygan
5 clinics
Manistee
5 clinics
West Branch
4 clinics
Oscoda
4 clinics
All cities in Michigan
Every city in Michigan with at least one HRSA-funded community health center.