Free & low-cost pediatric dentists in Missouri
Missouri has 491 active federally-funded community health centers across 183 cities and towns offering pediatric and family dental care to Medicaid, CHIP, and uninsured children. The state's Medicaid dental program is administered by MO HealthNet.
Medicaid & CHIP dental coverage for kids in Missouri
If your child is enrolled in MO HealthNet or MO HealthNet for Kids, pediatric dental care is a covered benefit at no cost to your family. Show-Me Healthy Kids dental benefit covers cleanings, sealants, fillings, and crowns. 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 Missouri.
Who qualifies in Missouri?
Missouri covers children under 19 in families earning up to 305% of the federal poverty level through MO HealthNet for Kids. That works out to the following gross household income limits for 2026:
| Family size | Annual income limit | Monthly income limit |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $45,933 | $3,828 |
| 2 | $62,342 | $5,195 |
| 3 | $78,751 | $6,563 |
| 4 | $95,160 | $7,930 |
| 5 | $111,569 | $9,297 |
| 6 | $127,978 | $10,665 |
Income limits are based on the 2024 federal poverty guidelines (the most recent published) and the state's 305% threshold. If your income is over the limit, you may still qualify for Missouri'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 Missouri dental guides
Long-form, parent-friendly guides written specifically for Missouri families. Each one combines real MO HealthNet rules with practical advice from community dentists.
Medicaid dental coverage for kids in Missouri
Read the Missouri guide →
Children's dentistry essentials in Missouri
Read the Missouri guide →
Emergency dental care in Missouri — what to do when a tooth can't wait
Read the Missouri guide →
Sliding-fee dental pricing in Missouri — how community health centers calculate what you pay
Read the Missouri guide →
Browse Missouri by city
Below are the cities in Missouri 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.
Saint Louis
38 clinics
Kansas City
31 clinics
Springfield
17 clinics
Poplar Bluff
15 clinics
Columbia
14 clinics
Neosho
14 clinics
Republic
10 clinics
Kirksville
10 clinics
Farmington
9 clinics
Sedalia
9 clinics
Rolla
8 clinics
Park Hills
8 clinics
Lebanon
8 clinics
Doniphan
8 clinics
Potosi
7 clinics
Saint Joseph
7 clinics
Jefferson City
6 clinics
Hollister
5 clinics
Arnold
5 clinics
Saint Charles
5 clinics
Hannibal
5 clinics
Richland
5 clinics
Joplin
5 clinics
Ava
4 clinics
All cities in Missouri
Every city in Missouri with at least one HRSA-funded community health center.