Quick answer: For low cost dental care in Austin, TX, start with a CommUnityCare health center, which charges sliding-scale fees based on income and accepts Medicaid for children and Central Health's MAP coverage. For children, CommUnityCare's Carousel Pediatrics clinics and Lone Star Circle of Care at Stassney have dental. For a cheap cleaning, the Austin Community College hygiene clinic charges $20 for a basic cleaning.
When I went through the 12 Austin listings in our directory, 9 were community health centers, most of them run by CommUnityCare. The others are a nonprofit clinic, a dental hygiene school and a hospital clinic. All 12 are in Travis County and open to the public, 10 use sliding-scale fees based on income, and 9 say they accept Medicaid. Unlike Houston or San Antonio, Austin has no dental school in our directory, so the community health centers do most of the work.
Where can I get low-cost dental care in Austin?
These listings cover North Austin, East Austin, Southeast Austin and South Austin. Some hours are for the whole health center, so call to confirm dental hours.
Clinics for adults and families
CommUnityCare North Central Health Center
- Type: Community Health Center
- Address: 1210 W Braker Ln, Austin, TX
- Phone: (512) 978-9880
- Hours: Dental: Mon-Thu 7:30am-9pm; Fri 7:30am-6pm; Sat 8am-12pm
- Cost: Sliding-scale fees based on income
- Medicaid: Accepted
- Good to know: The longest dental hours in our Austin listings, including weekday evenings and Saturday mornings. Includes limited pediatric dentistry.
CommUnityCare Southeast Health and Wellness Center
- Type: Community Health Center
- Address: 2901 Montopolis Drive, Austin, TX
- Phone: (512) 978-9901
- Hours: Dental: Mon-Fri 7:30am-6pm
- Cost: Sliding-scale fees based on income
- Medicaid: Accepted
- Good to know: MAP, MAP Basic and MAP Basic Dental Only plans cover dental care here; call the number on your membership card. Services include exams, cleanings, fillings, extractions, dentures and emergency dental.
CommUnityCare Chalmers Courts Health Center
- Type: Community Health Center
- Address: 314 Chicon St, Austin, TX
- Phone: (512) 978-9640
- Hours: Mon-Fri 7am-4pm (clinic hours)
- Cost: Sliding-scale fees based on income
- Medicaid: Accepted
- Good to know: East Austin location serving uninsured patients who meet income guidelines, with fees set by income and family size.
People's Community Clinic - Main Clinic (Dental)
- Type: Community Health Center
- Address: 1101 Camino La Costa, Austin, TX
- Phone: (512) 478-4939
- Hours: Mon-Fri 8am-5pm; after-hours to 8pm Mon, Tue, Thu
- Cost: Sliding-scale fees based on income
- Medicaid: Accepted
- Good to know: Dental is for adults with chronic disease and other adults and adolescents with critical dental needs. Get a referral from a People's provider or call. Offers root canals and restorative care.
Clinics for children
CommUnityCare Carousel Pediatrics: North Lamar
- Type: Community Health Center
- Address: 9411 N Lamar Blvd, Suite 120, Austin, TX
- Phone: (512) 744-6000
- Hours: Dental: Mon-Thu 8am-5pm; 1st Sat 8am-5pm
- Cost: Sliding-scale fees based on income
- Medicaid: Accepted
- Good to know: Pediatric clinic with exams, cleanings, fillings, sealants and emergency dental. Open the first Saturday of the month.
CommUnityCare Carousel Pediatrics: Springdale
- Type: Community Health Center
- Address: 7112 Ed Bluestein Blvd, Suite 100, Austin, TX
- Phone: (512) 744-6000
- Hours: Dental: Mon-Wed 8am-5pm; Fri 8am-12pm; 3rd Sat 8am-12pm
- Cost: Sliding-scale fees based on income
- Medicaid: Accepted
- Good to know: East Austin pediatric clinic; the same phone line books the Carousel Pediatrics Riverside location.
Lone Star Circle of Care at Stassney
- Type: Community Health Center
- Address: 730 W Stassney Ln, Suite 110, Austin, TX
- Phone: (877) 800-5722
- Hours: Mon-Fri 8am-5pm
- Cost: Sliding-scale fees based on income
- Medicaid: Accepted
- Good to know: South Austin pediatric clinic with discounted fees for uninsured patients who qualify by household size and income. Services include x-rays, fillings, extractions and crowns.
Is there a dental hygiene school clinic in Austin?
Yes. It's the cheapest place in our Austin listings to get a cleaning, if you have the time.
Austin Community College Dental Hygiene Clinic
- Type: Dental Hygiene School Clinic
- Address: Eastview Campus, 3401 Webberville Rd, Bldg. 8000 Rm. 8160, Austin, TX
- Phone: (512) 223-5710
- Hours: Not listed, call ahead
- Cost: Reduced fees
- Medicaid: Not stated
- Good to know: Starts with a free screening; a basic cleaning is $20 and a deep cleaning $40. Preventive care only (no fillings or extractions), over 3 to 5 appointments of about 3 hours. Registration opens by semester, ages 6 and up.
What is MAP, and does Texas Medicaid cover dental care?
MAP, the Medical Access Program, is Central Health's coverage program for uninsured, low-income Travis County residents. MAP plans, including a dental-only option, cover dental care at CommUnityCare clinics. If you live in Travis County and have no insurance, ask any CommUnityCare clinic about applying.
For children, Texas Medicaid (through age 20) includes dental benefits, with checkups starting at 6 months old. Children in families that earn too much for Medicaid may qualify for CHIP, which also covers dental care up to a yearly limit. You can check options at Insure Kids Now.
For adults 21 and older, Texas Medicaid generally does not cover routine dental care like cleanings and fillings; coverage is mostly limited to emergencies. Some Medicaid health plans, such as STAR+PLUS plans, add limited dental extras, so call the number on your card. Note that CommUnityCare's listings say they accept Medicaid for patients under 18.
How much will I pay?
Ten of the 12 Austin listings use sliding-scale fees based on income, and the other 2 charge reduced fees. Your fee at a sliding-scale clinic depends on household size and income, so bring proof of both. The only posted prices in our Austin listings are ACC's student cleaning fees; everywhere else, ask for the self-pay fee before treatment starts.
What should I bring to my first visit?
- Photo ID
- Proof of income, such as pay stubs or a benefits letter
- Proof of Travis County address (needed for MAP)
- Your MAP, Medicaid, CHIP or insurance card if you have one
- A list of medications
What about nearby cities?
Our directory also lists CommUnityCare Pflugerville Health Center, with adult and pediatric dental, and a CommUnityCare center in Del Valle. In Cedar Park, Samaritan Health Ministries offers free dental care to uninsured adults in greater Williamson County. There are also sliding-scale health centers in Round Rock, Georgetown and Kyle.
Quick FAQ
Can I see a dentist in the evening in Austin? CommUnityCare North Central lists dental hours until 9pm Monday through Thursday.
Is there free dental care in Austin? ACC's screening is free, and Samaritan Health Ministries in Cedar Park is free for eligible uninsured adults. Most Austin clinics use a sliding scale instead.
Does CommUnityCare South Austin have dental? Our listing for CommUnityCare South Austin Health Center shows a dental clinic, but it's marked "likely," so call to confirm dental services.
Is there dental care for people living with HIV? Vivent Health - Austin lists dental among its HIV-focused services, with financial assistance programs. Call to ask who can use the dental service.
More Texas guides
See my guides for Houston, Dallas–Fort Worth, San Antonio and Tyler. Our directory covers low-cost dental clinics across Texas, from El Paso to Beaumont, and every Austin listing is on one page.