Quick answer: Most low-cost dental care in Grand Rapids runs through community health centers, especially Cherry Health, whose dental centers take Medicaid and charge sliding-scale fees based on income. Heart of the City has Saturday morning hours, and Belknap Commons offers urgent walk-in dental care on Tuesday and Thursday evenings. For a cheap cleaning, Grand Rapids Community College's student clinic charges $35 for adults, and Mel Trotter Ministries and Exalta Health serve low-income and uninsured patients.
When I went through the 17 Grand Rapids listings in our directory, 12 were community health centers, three were nonprofit community clinics, one was a dental hygiene school clinic and one was a tribal health clinic. Thirteen are open to the public; the other four are school-based health centers for students and a tribal clinic for eligible patients. Fourteen accept Medicaid, and 10 publish their hours, which is better than most cities I've reviewed. Every listing is in Kent County.
Where can I get low-cost dental care in Grand Rapids?
These are the listings I'd call first. You'll find every Grand Rapids listing on our Grand Rapids city page.
Cherry Health dental centers
Cherry Health runs several dental centers in the city. They take Medicaid, Healthy Kids Dental and most insurance, offer sliding-fee discounts to low-income and uninsured patients, and most list free interpretation.
Cherry Health Heart of the City Health Center - Dental
- Type: Community Health Center
- Address: 100 Cherry St SE, Grand Rapids, MI 49503
- Phone: (616) 965-8206
- Hours: Mon, Tue, Thu 8am-6:30pm; Wed 8am-6pm; Fri 8am-5:30pm; Sat 9am-12pm
- Cost: Sliding-scale fees based on income
- Medicaid: Accepted
- Good to know: The only listing in our Grand Rapids data with Saturday hours. Exams, cleanings, X-rays, fillings, dentures and some extractions for all ages.
Cherry Health Belknap Commons Dental Center
- Type: Community Health Center
- Address: 751 Lafayette Ave NE, Grand Rapids, MI 49503
- Phone: (616) 742-9942
- Hours: Urgent dental walk-in Tue & Thu 5-8pm
- Cost: Sliding-scale fees based on income
- Medicaid: Accepted
- Good to know: If you have a toothache and can't get time off during the day, this is the evening walk-in option. The hours listed are for urgent walk-ins, so call about regular appointments.
Cherry Health Cherry Street Health Center - Dental
- Type: Community Health Center
- Address: 550 Cherry St SE, Grand Rapids, MI 49503
- Phone: (616) 235-7289
- Hours: Mon-Wed 8am-6:30pm; Thu 8am-5:30pm; Fri 8am-5pm
- Cost: Sliding-scale fees based on income
- Medicaid: Accepted
- Good to know: Evening hours until 6:30pm three days a week. Same services as the other Cherry Health dental centers, for all ages.
Cherry Health Westside Health Center - Dental
- Type: Community Health Center
- Address: 669 Stocking Ave NW, Grand Rapids, MI 49504
- Phone: (616) 235-7507
- Hours: Mon, Thu 8am-5pm; Tue, Wed 8am-6:30pm; Fri 8am-4:30pm
- Cost: Sliding-scale fees based on income
- Medicaid: Accepted
- Good to know: The northwest-side Cherry Health dental center, open late on Tuesdays and Wednesdays.
Cherry Health - Ferguson Dental Center
- Type: Community Health Center
- Address: 101 Sheldon Blvd. SE, Grand Rapids, MI 49503
- Phone: (616) 776-2340
- Hours: About 48 hours a week; call for dental hours
- Cost: Sliding-scale fees based on income
- Medicaid: Accepted
- Good to know: A broader range of care than most, including crowns, root canals, dentures, gum treatment and oral surgery.
Other health centers and nonprofit clinics
Catherine's Health Center Dental
- Type: Community Health Center
- Address: 781 36th St SE, Suite B, Grand Rapids, MI 49548
- Phone: (616) 828-0052
- Hours: Mon-Fri 8am-4pm
- Cost: Reduced fees
- Medicaid: Accepted
- Good to know: Open to all community members, all ages. English and Spanish are spoken, and interpretation is available. Services include exams, cleanings, fillings, extractions and dentures.
Exalta Health
- Type: Nonprofit Community Clinic
- Address: 2060 Division Ave. S., Grand Rapids, MI 49507
- Phone: (616) 475-8446
- Hours: Not listed, call ahead
- Cost: Sliding-scale fees based on income
- Medicaid: Accepted
- Good to know: For households at or below 250 percent of the federal poverty level. Low-income seniors may qualify for free or reduced-cost care through the Kent County Senior Millage.
Mel Trotter Ministries
- Type: Nonprofit Community Clinic
- Address: 225 Commerce Ave. SW, Grand Rapids, MI 49503
- Phone: (616) 588-8715
- Hours: Not listed, call ahead
- Cost: Reduced fees
- Medicaid: Not accepted
- Good to know: Open to anyone. Insured people without dental coverage may qualify for a $10 per visit co-pay, and people with no income or insurance may be eligible for a fee waiver. Medicaid isn't accepted.
Grand Rapids Community College Dental Clinic
- Type: Dental Hygiene School Clinic
- Address: 143 Bostwick Ave NE, Room 308, Cook Academic Hall, Grand Rapids, MI 49503
- Phone: (616) 234-4237
- Hours: Not listed, call ahead
- Cost: Reduced fees
- Medicaid: Not accepted
- Good to know: Adult cleanings are $35 and children's (ages 6-12) are $30, paid at the visit. Supervised students do cleanings, X-rays, fluoride and sealants, but no fillings or extractions, and no insurance is billed.
NHBP Grand Rapids
- Type: Tribal or Indian Health Service Clinic
- Address: 311 State Street SE, Grand Rapids, MI 49503
- Phone: (616) 249-0159
- Hours: Mon - Fri 8:30AM - 5PM
- Cost: Free for eligible patients
- Medicaid: Not stated
- Good to know: Run by the Nottawaseppi Huron Band of the Potawatomi for American Indian and Alaska Native patients eligible for IHS services. Call to confirm eligibility before you go.
What about school-based dental care?
Cherry Health runs health centers inside Ottawa Hills, Innovation Central and Union high schools. These are for students only (ages 5-21), not the general public. Cherry Health also runs a traveling school dental program at participating schools in districts including Godfrey Lee, Godwin Heights, Kentwood and Wyoming; a consent form is required.
Does Michigan Medicaid cover dental care for adults?
Yes. Michigan Medicaid, including the Healthy Michigan Plan, covers dental care for adults. Covered services generally include exams, X-rays, cleanings, fillings, extractions, dentures, root canals, crowns and gum care, with limits. Children under 21 with Medicaid get dental coverage through Healthy Kids Dental at no cost to the family.
Starting in January 2027, adults in a Medicaid health plan will get dental benefits through the same contract that runs Healthy Kids Dental. If that affects you, watch for a notice and confirm your dentist is in the network.
How much will I pay?
In our Grand Rapids listings, 11 charge sliding-scale fees based on income, four charge reduced fees and two are free for eligible patients. The only prices in our data are GRCC's $35 adult and $30 child cleanings and Mel Trotter's $10 co-pay for some patients. Everywhere else, bring proof of income and ask for your fee level.
What should I bring to my first visit?
- A photo ID and your Medicaid, Healthy Michigan Plan or insurance card
- Proof of household income for sliding-fee or eligibility checks
- A list of medications and any dental X-rays from past visits
Are there low-cost dentists near Grand Rapids?
Yes. Cherry Health has another dental center in Wyoming with evening hours, My Community Dental Centers has an office in Kentwood, and InterCare in Sparta offers seasonal dental services for migrant farmworkers and their families.
Quick FAQ
Can I get dental care on a Saturday in Grand Rapids? Cherry Health Heart of the City has Saturday hours from 9am to noon.
Where can I go for a toothache after work? Cherry Health Belknap Commons has urgent walk-in hours Tuesday and Thursday from 5 to 8pm.
Is there a cheap cleaning option? GRCC's student clinic charges $35 for adults.
Elsewhere in Michigan, see my guides to Detroit and Lansing. Our directory covers low-cost dental clinics across Michigan, from Grand Rapids and Kentwood to Lansing and Detroit.