Free & low-cost pediatric dentists in New York
New York has 864 active federally-funded community health centers across 199 cities and towns offering pediatric and family dental care to Medicaid, CHIP, and uninsured children. The state's Medicaid dental program is administered by New York Medicaid / Child Health Plus.
Medicaid & CHIP dental coverage for kids in New York
If your child is enrolled in New York Medicaid / Child Health Plus or Child Health Plus, pediatric dental care is a covered benefit at no cost to your family. Child Health Plus dental covers cleanings, fillings, root canals, crowns, and orthodontia. 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 New York.
Who qualifies in New York?
New York covers children under 19 in families earning up to 405% of the federal poverty level through Child Health Plus. That works out to the following gross household income limits for 2026:
| Family size | Annual income limit | Monthly income limit |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $60,993 | $5,083 |
| 2 | $82,782 | $6,899 |
| 3 | $104,571 | $8,714 |
| 4 | $126,360 | $10,530 |
| 5 | $148,149 | $12,346 |
| 6 | $169,938 | $14,162 |
Income limits are based on the 2024 federal poverty guidelines (the most recent published) and the state's 405% threshold. If your income is over the limit, you may still qualify for New York'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 New York dental guides
Long-form, parent-friendly guides written specifically for New York families. Each one combines real New York Medicaid / Child Health Plus rules with practical advice from community dentists.
Medicaid dental coverage for kids in New York
Read the New York guide →
Children's dentistry essentials in New York
Read the New York guide →
Emergency dental care in New York — what to do when a tooth can't wait
Read the New York guide →
Sliding-fee dental pricing in New York — how community health centers calculate what you pay
Read the New York guide →
Browse New York by city
Below are the cities in New York 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.
Brooklyn
165 clinics
Bronx
129 clinics
New York
101 clinics
Rochester
26 clinics
Buffalo
22 clinics
Staten Island
16 clinics
Syracuse
13 clinics
Jamaica
12 clinics
Peekskill
12 clinics
Auburn
12 clinics
Albany
12 clinics
New Square
8 clinics
Ossining
7 clinics
Port Chester
6 clinics
Monroe
6 clinics
Watertown
6 clinics
Penn Yan
6 clinics
Far Rockaway
6 clinics
Middletown
5 clinics
Mount Vernon
5 clinics
Brockport
5 clinics
Queensbury
5 clinics
Newburgh
5 clinics
Spring Valley
5 clinics
All cities in New York
Every city in New York with at least one HRSA-funded community health center.