Free & low-cost pediatric dentists in Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania has 483 active federally-funded community health centers across 166 cities and towns offering pediatric and family dental care to Medicaid, CHIP, and uninsured children. The state's Medicaid dental program is administered by Pennsylvania Medicaid (HealthChoices).
Medicaid & CHIP dental coverage for kids in Pennsylvania
If your child is enrolled in Pennsylvania Medicaid (HealthChoices) or PA CHIP, pediatric dental care is a covered benefit at no cost to your family. PA CHIP covers cleanings, sealants, fillings, root canals, and orthodontia for medical necessity. 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 Pennsylvania.
Who qualifies in Pennsylvania?
Pennsylvania covers children under 19 in families earning up to 319% of the federal poverty level through PA CHIP. That works out to the following gross household income limits for 2026:
| Family size | Annual income limit | Monthly income limit |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $48,041 | $4,003 |
| 2 | $65,204 | $5,434 |
| 3 | $82,366 | $6,864 |
| 4 | $99,528 | $8,294 |
| 5 | $116,690 | $9,724 |
| 6 | $133,852 | $11,154 |
Income limits are based on the 2024 federal poverty guidelines (the most recent published) and the state's 319% threshold. If your income is over the limit, you may still qualify for Pennsylvania'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 Pennsylvania dental guides
Long-form, parent-friendly guides written specifically for Pennsylvania families. Each one combines real Pennsylvania Medicaid (HealthChoices) rules with practical advice from community dentists.
Medicaid dental coverage for kids in Pennsylvania
Read the Pennsylvania guide →
Children's dentistry essentials in Pennsylvania
Read the Pennsylvania guide →
Emergency dental care in Pennsylvania — what to do when a tooth can't wait
Read the Pennsylvania guide →
Sliding-fee dental pricing in Pennsylvania — how community health centers calculate what you pay
Read the Pennsylvania guide →
Browse Pennsylvania by city
Below are the cities in Pennsylvania 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.
Philadelphia
88 clinics
Pittsburgh
28 clinics
Chambersburg
24 clinics
Allentown
22 clinics
Scranton
13 clinics
Bethlehem
12 clinics
Washington
12 clinics
Lancaster
11 clinics
Honesdale
10 clinics
Erie
9 clinics
Wilkes Barre
9 clinics
Sharon
8 clinics
Reading
6 clinics
Easton
5 clinics
Pottstown
5 clinics
Lebanon
5 clinics
Huntingdon
5 clinics
Fredericktown
5 clinics
Greensboro
4 clinics
Columbia
4 clinics
York
4 clinics
Bentleyville
4 clinics
Waynesburg
4 clinics
Waynesboro
4 clinics
All cities in Pennsylvania
Every city in Pennsylvania with at least one HRSA-funded community health center.