Free & low-cost pediatric dentists in North Carolina
North Carolina has 791 active federally-funded community health centers across 226 cities and towns offering pediatric and family dental care to Medicaid, CHIP, and uninsured children. The state's Medicaid dental program is administered by NC Medicaid / NC Health Choice.
Medicaid & CHIP dental coverage for kids in North Carolina
If your child is enrolled in NC Medicaid / NC Health Choice or NC Health Choice, pediatric dental care is a covered benefit at no cost to your family. Comprehensive pediatric dental through NC Medicaid with no copays for preventive services. 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 North Carolina.
Who qualifies in North Carolina?
North Carolina covers children under 19 in families earning up to 216% of the federal poverty level through NC Health Choice. That works out to the following gross household income limits for 2026:
| Family size | Annual income limit | Monthly income limit |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $32,530 | $2,711 |
| 2 | $44,150 | $3,679 |
| 3 | $55,771 | $4,648 |
| 4 | $67,392 | $5,616 |
| 5 | $79,013 | $6,584 |
| 6 | $90,634 | $7,553 |
Income limits are based on the 2024 federal poverty guidelines (the most recent published) and the state's 216% threshold. If your income is over the limit, you may still qualify for North Carolina'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 North Carolina dental guides
Long-form, parent-friendly guides written specifically for North Carolina families. Each one combines real NC Medicaid / NC Health Choice rules with practical advice from community dentists.
Medicaid dental coverage for kids in North Carolina
Read the North Carolina guide →
Children's dentistry essentials in North Carolina
Read the North Carolina guide →
Emergency dental care in North Carolina — what to do when a tooth can't wait
Read the North Carolina guide →
Sliding-fee dental pricing in North Carolina — how community health centers calculate what you pay
Read the North Carolina guide →
Browse North Carolina by city
Below are the cities in North Carolina 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.
Asheville
47 clinics
Gastonia
43 clinics
Charlotte
27 clinics
Hendersonville
24 clinics
Hickory
23 clinics
Marion
15 clinics
Kinston
15 clinics
Lincolnton
14 clinics
Asheboro
12 clinics
Mocksville
12 clinics
Lenoir
12 clinics
Brevard
11 clinics
Shelby
11 clinics
Statesville
10 clinics
Durham
10 clinics
Dunn
10 clinics
Rocky Mount
10 clinics
Newton
9 clinics
Arden
9 clinics
Raleigh
9 clinics
Roanoke Rapids
8 clinics
Belmont
8 clinics
Winston Salem
8 clinics
Snow Hill
8 clinics
All cities in North Carolina
Every city in North Carolina with at least one HRSA-funded community health center.