Free & low-cost pediatric dentists in Virginia
Virginia has 239 active federally-funded community health centers across 115 cities and towns offering pediatric and family dental care to Medicaid, CHIP, and uninsured children. The state's Medicaid dental program is administered by Virginia Smiles for Children.
Medicaid & CHIP dental coverage for kids in Virginia
If your child is enrolled in Virginia Smiles for Children or FAMIS, pediatric dental care is a covered benefit at no cost to your family. Smiles for Children: cleanings every 6 months, sealants, fluoride, fillings, and orthodontics. 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 Virginia.
Who qualifies in Virginia?
Virginia covers children under 19 in families earning up to 205% of the federal poverty level through FAMIS. That works out to the following gross household income limits for 2026:
| Family size | Annual income limit | Monthly income limit |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $30,873 | $2,573 |
| 2 | $41,902 | $3,492 |
| 3 | $52,931 | $4,411 |
| 4 | $63,960 | $5,330 |
| 5 | $74,989 | $6,249 |
| 6 | $86,018 | $7,168 |
Income limits are based on the 2024 federal poverty guidelines (the most recent published) and the state's 205% threshold. If your income is over the limit, you may still qualify for Virginia'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 Virginia dental guides
Long-form, parent-friendly guides written specifically for Virginia families. Each one combines real Virginia Smiles for Children rules with practical advice from community dentists.
Medicaid dental coverage for kids in Virginia
Read the Virginia guide →
Children's dentistry essentials in Virginia
Read the Virginia guide →
Emergency dental care in Virginia — what to do when a tooth can't wait
Read the Virginia guide →
Sliding-fee dental pricing in Virginia — how community health centers calculate what you pay
Read the Virginia guide →
Browse Virginia by city
Below are the cities in Virginia 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.
Richmond
15 clinics
Alexandria
10 clinics
Newport News
7 clinics
Danville
7 clinics
Lexington
6 clinics
Lynchburg
6 clinics
Madison Heights
5 clinics
Bristol
5 clinics
Victoria
5 clinics
Saltville
4 clinics
Arlington
4 clinics
Martinsville
4 clinics
Portsmouth
4 clinics
Harrisonburg
4 clinics
Petersburg
4 clinics
Norfolk
4 clinics
Arrington
4 clinics
New Canton
3 clinics
Dungannon
3 clinics
Herndon
3 clinics
Roanoke
3 clinics
Fairfax
3 clinics
Christiansburg
3 clinics
Ivor
3 clinics
All cities in Virginia
Every city in Virginia with at least one HRSA-funded community health center.