Quick answer: For low-cost dental care in Cleveland, start with a community health center that offers sliding-scale fees based on income, such as the Care Alliance clinics, The Centers in Uptown or the NFP W. 130th health center. For lower-cost student care, try Case Western Reserve University's dental clinics or the Tri-C dental hygiene clinic. Uninsured adults can also ask the Free Medical Clinic of Greater Cleveland about free dental care, and most clinics here accept Ohio Medicaid.
What low-cost dental care is available in Cleveland?
When I went through our directory, I found 24 low-cost dental listings in Cleveland, all in Cuyahoga County and all open to the public. More than half (14) are community health centers. The rest are 3 hospital dental clinics, 2 Case Western Reserve dental school listings, 2 listings for the Tri-C dental hygiene clinic, a free clinic, a MetroHealth family dentistry office and a mobile school program.
On cost, 13 use sliding-scale fees based on income, 6 charge reduced fees, 1 is free, and 4 ask you to call about fees. Fifteen say they accept Medicaid. You can see every listing on our Cleveland dental clinics page.
Where can I get low-cost dental care in Cleveland?
I picked these clinics to cover the east side, west side and downtown, and to show the different types of help. Some hours are for the whole health center, so call to confirm dental hours.
Community health centers (sliding-scale fees)
Care Alliance Central Clinic - Dental
- Type: Community Health Center
- Address: 2916 Central Ave, Cleveland, OH 44115
- Phone: (216) 535-9100
- Hours: Mon-Fri 8am-5pm; Sat 9am-1pm by appointment
- Cost: Sliding-scale fees based on income
- Medicaid: Accepted
- Good to know: Walk-ins are welcome and it offers full-scope oral health care. Saturday appointments can help if you work during the week.
Care Alliance Stokes Clinic - Dental
- Type: Community Health Center
- Address: 6001 Woodland Ave, Cleveland, OH 44104
- Phone: (216) 535-9100
- Hours: Mon-Fri 8am-12pm, 1pm-5pm
- Cost: Sliding-scale fees based on income
- Medicaid: Accepted
- Good to know: Same sliding fee scale and walk-in policy as the other Care Alliance sites, which also include a St. Clair Avenue clinic.
The Centers Uptown Integrated Health & Wellness - Dental
- Type: Community Health Center
- Address: 12201 Euclid Ave, Cleveland, OH 44106
- Phone: (216) 325-9355
- Hours: Mon-Fri 8:30am-5pm (office hours)
- Cost: Sliding-scale fees based on income
- Medicaid: Accepted
- Good to know: Offers exams, x-rays, cleanings, fillings, sealants for children and extractions. Uninsured or underinsured patients can use the sliding fee scale.
NFP W. 130th Community Health Center
- Type: Community Health Center
- Address: 13027 Lorain Ave, Cleveland, OH 44111-2623
- Phone: (216) 281-0872
- Hours: About 57 hours a week; call for dental hours
- Cost: Sliding-scale fees based on income
- Medicaid: Accepted
- Good to know: Covers exams, x-rays, cleanings, fillings, extractions, fluoride and sealants, with referrals for root canals, dentures and crowns. Uninsured patients can get financial assistance based on family size and income.
MetroHealth Broadway Health Center - Dental
- Type: Community Health Center
- Address: 6835 Broadway Ave, Cleveland, OH 44105
- Phone: (216) 696-3876
- Hours: About 40 hours a week; call for dental hours
- Cost: Sliding-scale fees based on income
- Medicaid: Accepted
- Good to know: Offers preventive and restorative dental care. Dental appointments are made through 216-778-4725.
Dental school and hygiene clinics (reduced fees)
Case Western Reserve University Lifelong Smiles Mobile Dental Van
- Type: Dental School Clinic
- Address: 9601 Chester Ave, Cleveland, OH 44106
- Phone: (216) 368-8730
- Hours: Mon-Fri 8:30am-5pm (comprehensive care clinics 10am-5pm, lunch 12-1)
- Cost: Reduced fees
- Medicaid: Accepted
- Good to know: Dental students and residents provide general and specialty care under faculty supervision. New patients go through a three-visit intake, everything is by appointment (including emergencies), and pediatric new patients call 216-368-6185.
Tri-C Dental Hygiene Clinic
- Type: Dental Hygiene School Clinic
- Address: 2900 Community College Ave, Metro Health Careers and Sciences Room 127, Cleveland, OH 44115
- Phone: (216) 987-4413
- Hours: Varies by semester; closed in summer
- Cost: Reduced fees
- Medicaid: Not stated
- Good to know: Listed fees are $15 for adults, $10 for children and $5 per tooth for sealants. This is preventive care only, visits can last up to 3.5 hours, and patients 17 and under need a parent or guardian at the first visit.
Cleveland Dental Institute - Lee-Harvard
- Type: Hospital Dental Clinic
- Address: 4071 Lee Road, Suite 260, Cleveland, OH 44128
- Phone: (216) 727-0234
- Hours: Mon-Fri 8:30am-5:30pm
- Cost: Reduced fees
- Medicaid: Accepted
- Good to know: Supervised residents provide everything from cleanings and fillings to root canals, dentures, implants and emergency care. It accepts all insurance including Medicaid, but no sliding fee is stated and fees aren't published.
Free clinic
Free Medical Clinic of Greater Cleveland
- Type: Free or Charitable Clinic
- Phone: (216) 721-4010
- Hours: Not listed, call ahead
- Cost: Free
- Medicaid: Not stated
- Good to know: For adults only, with emergency and non-emergency dental services. There's no charge, though donations are accepted.
What other Cleveland options should I know about?
- MetroHealth family dentistry: Ohio City Family Dentistry (MetroHealth) on Lorain Avenue offers preventive and restorative care; call about fees.
- NEON and other east side health centers: Hough Health Center, Collinwood Health Center and Superior Health Center use sliding-scale fees, but their dental details come from a 2018 list and may be out of date. Call to confirm dental services.
- Children: The Ronald McDonald Care Mobile brings dental care to schools; its details also date from 2018.
Does Ohio Medicaid cover dental care for adults?
Yes. Ohio Medicaid covers dental care for adults, including checkups and cleanings on a set schedule, fillings, extractions and dentures. Some services, such as dentures and some surgical extractions, need prior approval. Children and young adults under 21 get broader dental coverage through Healthchek, Ohio Medicaid's benefit for kids. Details vary by plan, so ask the clinic to check your benefits before treatment. For help covering children, see Insure Kids Now.
How much will I pay?
- Sliding-scale health centers set your fee from household income and size, so bring proof of income.
- Tri-C lists $15 for adults and $10 for children; Case Western and Cleveland Dental Institute charge reduced fees.
- The Free Medical Clinic doesn't charge adults for dental care.
Ask for an estimate before bigger treatment such as crowns or dentures.
What should I bring to my first visit?
- A photo ID
- Your Medicaid or insurance card
- Proof of income, such as pay stubs or a benefits letter
- Proof of address
- A list of your medicines
Are there low-cost dental clinics near Cleveland?
Yes. Our directory lists the East Cleveland Health Center on Euclid Avenue (from a 2018 list, so call first), MetroHealth Family Dentistry in Middleburg Heights, and a free school sealant program for 2nd and 6th graders run from Parma by the Cuyahoga County Board of Health.
Quick FAQ
Can I walk in for dental care in Cleveland? The Care Alliance clinics welcome walk-ins. Case Western is appointment only, even for emergencies.
Is there free dental care in Cleveland? The Free Medical Clinic of Greater Cleveland offers free dental care to adults.
Where else in Ohio can I look? See my guides to low-cost dental care in Columbus and low-cost dental care in Cincinnati.
Our directory covers low-cost dental clinics across Ohio, from Cleveland and Parma to Columbus and Cincinnati, so check the state page for more options.