Quick answer: For low-cost dental care in Columbus, Ohio, start with a community health center that charges sliding-scale fees based on income, such as Equitas Health King-Lincoln, PrimaryOne Health on Parsons Avenue or the LSS Health Center. The Ohio State Dental Center student clinics charge reduced fees, and Stowe Mission and Grace Clinic Linden offer free dental care. Most Columbus clinics in our directory accept Ohio Medicaid, which covers dental care for adults.
How many low-cost dental clinics are in Columbus?
When I went through our directory, I found 21 low-cost dental listings in Columbus, all in Franklin County and all open to the public. They include 8 community health centers, 3 low-cost community clinics, 2 hospital dental clinics, 2 free or charitable clinics, 2 nonprofit clinics, 2 Ohio State dental school clinics, a dental hygiene school clinic and a school sealant program.
On cost, 10 use sliding-scale fees based on income, 4 charge reduced fees, 3 are free and 4 ask you to call about fees. Thirteen say they accept Medicaid. The full list is on our Columbus dental clinics page.
Where can I get low-cost dental care in Columbus?
I chose these clinics to show the main kinds of help in the city. Hours are sometimes for the whole health center, so call to confirm dental hours.
Community health centers (sliding-scale fees)
Equitas Health King-Lincoln Health Center - Dentistry
- Type: Community Health Center
- Address: 750 E Long St, Columbus, OH 43203
- Phone: (833) 378-4827
- Hours: Mon-Fri 9am-6pm
- Cost: Sliding-scale fees based on income
- Medicaid: Accepted
- Good to know: Offers exams, x-rays, cleanings, fillings, crowns, extractions, root canals, dentures, partials and emergency care. Uninsured patients can get a sliding fee discount.
PrimaryOne Health 240 Parsons Avenue, Suite 233
- Type: Community Health Center
- Address: 240 Parsons Ave, 2nd Floor, Columbus, OH 43215
- Phone: (614) 645-7487
- Hours: Mon-Fri 7:30am-12pm and 1pm-4:30pm
- Cost: Sliding-scale fees based on income
- Medicaid: Accepted
- Good to know: Apply at the clinic with proof of income, identity and address; the sliding fee is set by family size and income. Services include exams, x-rays, cleanings, fillings and extractions.
LSS Health Center (Health Center at Faith Mission)
- Type: Community Health Center
- Address: 245 N Grant Ave, Columbus, OH 43215-2641
- Phone: (614) 224-0747
- Hours: Dental Mon-Thu 8:30am-5pm
- Cost: Sliding-scale fees based on income
- Medicaid: Accepted
- Good to know: Serves everyone regardless of income or insurance, with a focus on people with low incomes or experiencing homelessness. Interpretation is offered in over 200 languages.
Lower Lights Health Center - Dental
- Type: Community Health Center
- Address: 1160 W Broad St, Columbus, OH 43222
- Phone: (614) 274-1455
- Hours: Mon-Fri 8am-5pm; Sat 8am-12pm (health center hours)
- Cost: Sliding-scale fees based on income
- Medicaid: Accepted
- Good to know: Dental is for current Lower Lights patients, so new patients must first see a Lower Lights medical provider. Services include exams, cleanings, scaling and root planing, fillings and extractions.
Dental school clinics (reduced fees)
Ohio State Dental Center Student Clinics
- Type: Dental School Clinic
- Address: Postle Hall, 305 W 12th Ave, Columbus, OH 43210
- Phone: (614) 688-3763
- Hours: Mon, Wed, Fri 7:30am-4:30pm; Tue, Thu 7:30am-7pm
- Cost: Reduced fees
- Medicaid: Accepted
- Good to know: Students treat patients under faculty supervision, with fees listed at about 40-50% below the Columbus-area average and lower for Medicaid-eligible patients. The screening visit is listed at $118-$170, visits take about 3 hours, and Medicare isn't accepted.
Cleveland Dental Institute - Columbus
- Type: Hospital Dental Clinic
- Address: 5969 E Broad Street, Suite 303 (Mt. Carmel Medical Building 4), Columbus, OH 43213
- Phone: (614) 626-8822
- Hours: Mon-Fri 8:30am-5:30pm
- Cost: Reduced fees
- Medicaid: Accepted
- Good to know: Covers everything from cleanings and fillings to root canals, dentures, implants, braces, emergency care and special needs dentistry. It accepts all insurance including Medicaid, but no sliding fee is stated and fees aren't published.
Free clinics
Stowe Mission Dental Clinic
- Type: Free or Charitable Clinic
- Address: 888 Parsons Avenue, Columbus, OH 43206
- Phone: (614) 445-8400
- Hours: Phone line Mon-Fri 8:30am-4:30pm; clinic runs several days per month
- Cost: Free
- Medicaid: Not stated
- Good to know: Offers extractions, cleanings and digital x-rays, plus pain medication and antibiotics when needed. There are no ZIP code restrictions; call for an appointment, and a $20 donation is suggested but not required.
Grace Clinic Linden
- Type: Free or Charitable Clinic
- Address: 2052 Cleveland Avenue, Columbus, OH 43211
- Phone: (740) 816-6955
- Hours: Walk-in 1st & 3rd Wed 11am-1pm, Sat 9am-12pm; closed 5th week of month; specialty services by appointment
- Cost: Free
- Medicaid: Not stated
- Good to know: For uninsured or underinsured people at or below 200% of federal poverty guidelines. Dental care is one of its volunteer specialty services, offered by appointment.
Children
Nationwide Children's Hospital Dental Clinic
- Type: Hospital Dental Clinic
- Address: 380 Butterfly Gardens Drive (Livingston Ambulatory Center), Columbus, OH 43215
- Phone: (614) 722-5650
- Hours: Mon-Thu 8:30am-12pm and 1-9pm; Fri 8am-12pm and 1-4pm; Sat by appointment
- Cost: Contact the clinic about fees
- Medicaid: Not stated
- Good to know: A hospital pediatric dental clinic with walk-in emergency hours, sedation and general anesthesia. New patients schedule at 614-722-6200.
What other options should I know about?
- Special needs: The Nisonger Center McCampbell Hall Dental Clinic serves infants, children and adults with developmental disabilities, and the Johnstown Road clinic serves underserved children through age 17. Both use sliding-scale fees and accept Medicaid.
- School sealants: The Columbus Public Health Dental Sealant Program places free sealants for second and sixth graders at Columbus-area schools.
- Health center patients: Heart of Ohio Family Health on East Main Street provides dental care to its own patients.
- Older listings: A few listings, like the Columbus State hygiene clinic, come from older sources, so details may be out of date. Call before you go.
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 from Medicaid or your plan. 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. If your children need coverage, Insure Kids Now explains how to apply.
How much will I pay?
- Sliding-scale health centers base your fee on household income and size, so bring proof of income.
- Ohio State's student clinics list fees about 40-50% below the area average, with a $118-$170 screening visit.
- Free clinics like Stowe Mission and Grace Clinic Linden don't charge, though each has its own rules.
Ask for a written estimate before any bigger treatment.
What should I bring to my first visit?
- A photo ID
- Your Medicaid or insurance card
- Proof of income, such as recent pay stubs or a benefits letter
- Proof of address
- A list of your medicines
Quick FAQ
Can I get emergency dental care in Columbus? Equitas Health King-Lincoln lists emergency care, and Nationwide Children's has walk-in emergency hours for kids. Call first.
Is there free dental care in Columbus? Yes, for some people. Stowe Mission and Grace Clinic Linden are free, with appointment and eligibility rules.
Where else in Ohio can I look? See my guides to low-cost dental care in Cleveland and low-cost dental care in Cincinnati. The HRSA health center finder can also search by address.
Our directory covers low-cost dental clinics across Ohio, from Columbus to Cleveland and Cincinnati, so check the state page for more options.