Free & low-cost pediatric dentists in Texas
Texas has 833 active federally-funded community health centers across 232 cities and towns offering pediatric and family dental care to Medicaid, CHIP, and uninsured children. The state's Medicaid dental program is administered by Texas Medicaid / CHIP.
Medicaid & CHIP dental coverage for kids in Texas
If your child is enrolled in Texas Medicaid / CHIP or Texas CHIP, pediatric dental care is a covered benefit at no cost to your family. Texas Health Steps Dental: free routine cleanings, fluoride, sealants, and most restorative care. 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 Texas.
Who qualifies in Texas?
Texas covers children under 19 in families earning up to 206% of the federal poverty level through Texas CHIP. That works out to the following gross household income limits for 2026:
| Family size | Annual income limit | Monthly income limit |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $31,024 | $2,585 |
| 2 | $42,106 | $3,509 |
| 3 | $53,189 | $4,432 |
| 4 | $64,272 | $5,356 |
| 5 | $75,355 | $6,280 |
| 6 | $86,438 | $7,203 |
Income limits are based on the 2024 federal poverty guidelines (the most recent published) and the state's 206% threshold. If your income is over the limit, you may still qualify for Texas'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 Texas dental guides
Long-form, parent-friendly guides written specifically for Texas families. Each one combines real Texas Medicaid / CHIP rules with practical advice from community dentists.
Medicaid dental coverage for kids in Texas
Read the Texas guide →
Children's dentistry essentials in Texas
Read the Texas guide →
Emergency dental care in Texas — what to do when a tooth can't wait
Read the Texas guide →
Sliding-fee dental pricing in Texas — how community health centers calculate what you pay
Read the Texas guide →
Browse Texas by city
Below are the cities in Texas 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.
Houston
108 clinics
San Antonio
48 clinics
El Paso
48 clinics
Austin
48 clinics
Longview
34 clinics
Dallas
33 clinics
Tyler
18 clinics
Lubbock
14 clinics
Waco
14 clinics
Laredo
10 clinics
Wichita Falls
10 clinics
Beaumont
8 clinics
Texarkana
7 clinics
Del Rio
7 clinics
Uvalde
7 clinics
Port Arthur
6 clinics
Eagle Pass
6 clinics
Midland
6 clinics
Pasadena
6 clinics
Bay City
6 clinics
Greenville
5 clinics
Nacogdoches
5 clinics
Alvin
5 clinics
Georgetown
5 clinics
All cities in Texas
Every city in Texas with at least one HRSA-funded community health center.