Free & low-cost pediatric dentists in Ohio
Ohio has 615 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 Ohio Medicaid.
Medicaid & CHIP dental coverage for kids in Ohio
If your child is enrolled in Ohio Medicaid or Healthy Start, pediatric dental care is a covered benefit at no cost to your family. Ohio Medicaid covers two cleanings per year, sealants, fillings, root canals, 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 Ohio.
Who qualifies in Ohio?
Ohio covers children under 19 in families earning up to 211% of the federal poverty level through Healthy Start. That works out to the following gross household income limits for 2026:
| Family size | Annual income limit | Monthly income limit |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $31,777 | $2,648 |
| 2 | $43,128 | $3,594 |
| 3 | $54,480 | $4,540 |
| 4 | $65,832 | $5,486 |
| 5 | $77,184 | $6,432 |
| 6 | $88,536 | $7,378 |
Income limits are based on the 2024 federal poverty guidelines (the most recent published) and the state's 211% threshold. If your income is over the limit, you may still qualify for Ohio'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 Ohio dental guides
Long-form, parent-friendly guides written specifically for Ohio families. Each one combines real Ohio Medicaid rules with practical advice from community dentists.
Medicaid dental coverage for kids in Ohio
Read the Ohio guide →
Children's dentistry essentials in Ohio
Read the Ohio guide →
Emergency dental care in Ohio — what to do when a tooth can't wait
Read the Ohio guide →
Sliding-fee dental pricing in Ohio — how community health centers calculate what you pay
Read the Ohio guide →
Browse Ohio by city
Below are the cities in Ohio 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.
Cincinnati
57 clinics
Cleveland
57 clinics
Toledo
43 clinics
Columbus
43 clinics
Dayton
21 clinics
Lima
18 clinics
Sandusky
15 clinics
Zanesville
12 clinics
Ironton
9 clinics
Warren
8 clinics
Steubenville
7 clinics
Akron
7 clinics
Youngstown
7 clinics
Mansfield
6 clinics
Hamilton
6 clinics
Portsmouth
5 clinics
Springfield
5 clinics
Mount Vernon
5 clinics
Oxford
5 clinics
Canton
5 clinics
Middletown
5 clinics
Piketon
5 clinics
Logan
4 clinics
Hillsboro
4 clinics
All cities in Ohio
Every city in Ohio with at least one HRSA-funded community health center.