Quick answer: Philadelphia has 41 low-cost dental clinics in our directory, and 35 of them are community health centers, including the city's own health centers, that charge sliding-scale fees based on income. Most accept Medical Assistance (Pennsylvania Medicaid), several take walk-in urgent patients, and a few open on Saturdays. For bigger jobs at reduced fees, Temple and Penn both run dental school clinics open to the public.
When I went through the 41 Philadelphia listings in our directory, the city stood out for sheer choice: 35 community health centers, 3 hospital dental clinics, 2 dental school clinics and 1 dental hygiene school clinic, all in Philadelphia County and all open to the public. Thirty-two list Medicaid as accepted. Two more options sit just outside the city in Bryn Mawr and Abington.
That much choice is good news, but it also means it pays to pick a clinic by what you need: walk-in urgent care, evening or Saturday hours, or a dental school for more complex work.
Where can I get low-cost dental care in Philadelphia?
These are the clinics I'd start with. I chose verified, open-to-the-public listings with hours, fees or Medicaid information, spread across North, South, West and Northeast Philadelphia. Hours are what each clinic published; call to confirm dental hours.
City health centers
The City of Philadelphia runs dental clinics in its health centers. They take walk-in urgent patients (appointments encouraged), offer interpretation, and charge uninsured patients a small fee based on family size and income. Most of their listings note that all city health centers close on the 4th Friday of each month.
Philadelphia Health Center 5 Dental
- Type: Community Health Center
- Address: 1900 N 20th St., Philadelphia, PA 19121
- Phone: (215) 685-2938
- Hours: Mon, Wed-Fri 8am-4:30pm; Tue 8am-8pm
- Cost: Sliding-scale fees based on income
- Medicaid: Accepted
- Good to know: Basic and emergency dental care for children and adults. Tuesday evening hours help if you work days.
Mattie L. Humphrey Health Center Dental (formerly Health Center 9)
- Type: Community Health Center
- Address: 131 E. Chelten Ave., Philadelphia, PA 19144
- Phone: (215) 685-5738
- Hours: Mon, Tue, Thu, Fri 8am-4:30pm; Wed 8am-8pm
- Cost: Sliding-scale fees based on income
- Medicaid: Accepted
- Good to know: Walk-in urgent patients accepted and interpretation available. Open until 8pm on Wednesdays.
Philadelphia Health Center 10 Dental
- Type: Community Health Center
- Address: 2230 Cottman Ave., Philadelphia, PA 19149
- Phone: (215) 685-0639
- Hours: Mon-Fri 7:30am-4pm; Sat 8am-12pm by appointment
- Cost: Sliding-scale fees based on income
- Medicaid: Accepted
- Good to know: Saturday morning appointments are available in Northeast Philadelphia, and walk-in urgent patients are accepted.
Other sliding-scale health centers
GPHA Snyder Avenue Dental Center
- Type: Community Health Center
- Address: 640 Snyder Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19148
- Phone: (215) 334-4900
- Hours: Mon-Fri 8:30am-5pm; Sat 8:30am-1pm (1st and 3rd Saturdays)
- Cost: Sliding-scale fees based on income
- Medicaid: Accepted
- Good to know: Open to everyone, children and adults, with general and pediatric dentistry in South Philadelphia.
GPHA Frankford Avenue Health Center Dental
- Type: Community Health Center
- Address: 4500-10 Frankford Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19124
- Phone: (215) 535-1990
- Hours: Mon-Fri 8:30am-5pm; Sat 8:30am-1pm (2nd and 4th Saturdays)
- Cost: Sliding-scale fees based on income
- Medicaid: Accepted
- Good to know: Same Saturday setup as Snyder Avenue but on alternate weeks, so between the two you can often find a Saturday slot.
PHMC Dental on Cedar
- Type: Community Health Center
- Address: 501 South 54th Street, Philadelphia, PA 19143
- Phone: (855) 887-9229
- Hours: Mon-Fri 9am-5pm
- Cost: Sliding-scale fees based on income
- Medicaid: Accepted
- Good to know: Walk-ins accepted. Serves all ages regardless of ability to pay, and lists root canals, gum care, dentures and oral surgery as well as emergency care.
Maria de los Santos Health Center
- Type: Community Health Center
- Address: 401 West Allegheny Ave, Philadelphia, PA 19133
- Phone: (215) 291-2509
- Hours: Dental Mon-Fri 8am-5pm
- Cost: Sliding-scale fees based on income
- Medicaid: Accepted
- Good to know: Sliding fee for uninsured and underinsured children and adults. Services include some root canals, crowns, bridges and dentures.
A couple more worth knowing: Stephen Klein Wellness Center Dental Services serves people experiencing homelessness or on low incomes, and John Bell Health Center and Dental Clinic on Chestnut Street is open to all regardless of insurance.
Are there dental school clinics in Philadelphia?
Yes, two, plus a hygiene school. Supervised students and residents treat the public at reduced fees. Appointments tend to be longer, but they can be a good fit for crowns, root canals or a full treatment plan.
Temple University Kornberg School of Dentistry Patient Care Clinics
- Type: Dental School Clinic
- Address: 3223 N. Broad St., Philadelphia, PA 19140
- Phone: (215) 707-2900
- Hours: Generally Mon-Fri 8am-5pm; clinic hours vary
- Cost: Reduced fees
- Medicaid: Accepted
- Good to know: New patients welcome; the call center books the first visit. Income-adjusted sliding fee plans are available, and there's a children's clinic and specialty clinics run by residents.
Penn Dental Medicine Teaching Clinics (Robert Schattner Center)
- Type: Dental School Clinic
- Address: 240 S. 40th Street, Philadelphia, PA 19104
- Phone: (215) 898-8965
- Hours: Tue, Thu, Fri 8am-5pm; Mon and Wed evening appointments 5:30-8pm
- Cost: Reduced fees
- Medicaid: Not stated
- Good to know: An initial screening exam decides whether you're accepted into the teaching program, and the screening fee is non-refundable. Evening appointments are offered two nights a week.
For cleanings only, the Community College of Philadelphia Dental Hygiene Clinic on Spring Garden Street offers reduced-fee care by supervised hygiene students.
Does Pennsylvania Medicaid cover adult dental care?
Yes, with limits. Pennsylvania's Medicaid program is called Medical Assistance, and it covers dental care for adults. For adults 21 and older, routine coverage is generally one exam and cleaning every 180 days and one set of dentures in a lifetime. Crowns, root canals and gum treatment usually need your dentist to request a "benefit limit exception," which is simpler if you have certain conditions such as diabetes, heart disease or pregnancy.
Children and teens get fuller dental coverage, and Pennsylvania's CHIP program, for kids who don't qualify for Medical Assistance, includes dental care. You can check options at Insure Kids Now.
When you call, name your Medical Assistance plan and ask whether the clinic takes it, since not every office accepts every plan.
How much will I pay for dental care in Philadelphia?
- Sliding-scale fees based on income: 31 of the 41 listings. Your fee depends on household size and income.
- Reduced fees: 6 listings, mostly the dental schools and hospital clinics.
- Contact the clinic about fees: 4 listings.
Ask for a written estimate before any big work. If your income is low, ask the front desk about the sliding fee before your first visit.
What should I bring to my first visit?
- A photo ID
- Proof of income (pay stubs, a benefits letter or a tax return) for the sliding fee
- Proof of address
- Your Medical Assistance or insurance card, if you have one
- A list of your medicines
Low-cost dental care near Philadelphia
- Bryn Mawr: Harcum College Dental Clinic, a dental hygiene school clinic open to the public by appointment. Its listing shows comprehensive care at $30 for ages 18-55, $10 for 55 and up, and $20 for 17 and under.
- Abington: a hospital dental clinic; call to confirm dental services.
Browse all 41 city listings on the Philadelphia city page, or search federally funded health centers with the health center finder.
Frequently asked questions
Can I walk in for a toothache in Philadelphia? The city health centers accept walk-in urgent patients, and PHMC Dental on Cedar and PHMC Health Dental, Callowhill accept walk-ins. Get there early and call ahead if you can.
Are there dental clinics open on Saturday? Yes. Philadelphia Health Center 10 and Health Center 2 list Saturday morning appointments, and several GPHA centers open on alternating Saturdays.
Do I need insurance? No. The health centers here offer sliding-scale fees to uninsured patients.
More low-cost dental care in Pennsylvania
Heading west? See my guide to low-cost dental care in Pittsburgh. Our directory covers low-cost dental clinics across Pennsylvania, from Philadelphia and Bryn Mawr to Pittsburgh and McKeesport, and our near me page can help you find the closest one.