Free & low-cost pediatric dentists in Tennessee

Medicaid & CHIP dental coverage for kids in Tennessee

If your child is enrolled in TennCare or CoverKids, pediatric dental care is a covered benefit at no cost to your family. TennCare Kids dental covered through DentaQuest; preventive care every 6 months. 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 Tennessee.

Who qualifies in Tennessee?

Tennessee covers children under 19 in families earning up to 255% of the federal poverty level through CoverKids. That works out to the following gross household income limits for 2026:

Income limits are based on the 2024 federal poverty guidelines (the most recent published) and the state's 255% threshold. If your income is over the limit, you may still qualify for Tennessee'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 Tennessee dental guides

Long-form, parent-friendly guides written specifically for Tennessee families. Each one combines real TennCare rules with practical advice from community dentists.

Browse Tennessee by city

Below are the cities in Tennessee 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.