Quick answer: In Raleigh, Advance Community Health runs two sliding-scale dental clinics that take Medicaid, including one with Saturday site hours on Capital Boulevard. In Durham, Lincoln Community Health Center offers sliding-scale dental care with limited walk-in slots, and the county health department treats children, teens under 21 and pregnant women. Uninsured Wake County adults can be referred to Wake Smiles, and Wake Tech's hygiene clinic offers low-cost cleanings.
When I went through our directory for the Triangle, I found 11 low-cost dental listings: five in Raleigh (Wake County) and six in Durham (Durham County). All 11 are open to the public. Four are community health centers, two are county public health dental clinics, two are mobile or school programs, and there's one nonprofit clinic, one free or charitable clinic and one dental hygiene school. Five accept Medicaid, and five publish their hours.
That's a smaller list than the size of the area might suggest, so it's worth calling more than one place. You can browse each city on our Raleigh page and our Durham page.
Where can I get low-cost dental care in Raleigh?
Amplify Health (Advance Community Health) Axcess - Dental
- Type: Community Health Center
- Address: 3509 Capital Blvd, Raleigh, NC 27604
- Phone: (919) 833-3111
- Hours: Site hours Mon-Sat 8am-5pm
- Cost: Sliding-scale fees based on income
- Medicaid: Accepted
- Good to know: General dental care for all ages, with a sliding fee discount based on household income. The Saturday hours are for the whole site, so call to confirm dental hours.
Southeast Raleigh - South
- Type: Community Health Center
- Address: 1011 Rock Quarry Rd, Raleigh, NC 27610
- Phone: (919) 833-3111
- Hours: Dental: Mon-Fri 8am-5pm, closed 1-2pm
- Cost: Sliding-scale fees based on income
- Medicaid: Accepted
- Good to know: Cleanings, exams, X-rays, fillings, extractions and emergencies for all ages. It shares a phone line with the Capital Boulevard clinic, so say which location you want.
Wake Smiles
- Type: Free or Charitable Clinic
- Address: 1863 Capital Blvd, Raleigh, NC 27604
- Phone: (919) 390-6497
- Hours: Not listed, call ahead
- Cost: Reduced fees
- Medicaid: Not accepted
- Good to know: For uninsured, low-income Wake County adults who are referred by a participating clinic (Alliance Medical Ministry, Mariam Clinic, Neighbor Health or Urban Ministries). There's a $40 administrative fee per appointment, and English and Spanish are spoken. If you have Medicaid, Medicare or other insurance, this one isn't for you.
Wake Tech Dental Hygiene Clinic
- Type: Dental Hygiene School Clinic
- Address: 2901 Holston Lane, Building B, 2nd floor, Raleigh, NC 27603
- Phone: (919) 747-0126
- Hours: Not listed, call ahead
- Cost: Reduced fees
- Medicaid: Not stated
- Good to know: Students provide cleanings, fluoride, sealants and X-rays for ages 4 and older, with referrals for other care. You'll need a screening appointment first, and it's by appointment only.
Wake County Human Services Dental Clinic
- Type: Public Health Department Clinic
- Phone: (919) 250-4610
- Hours: Not listed, call ahead
- Cost: Contact the clinic about fees
- Medicaid: Not stated
- Good to know: Our listing only has a phone number, so call to ask about eligibility, location and fees.
Where can I get low-cost dental care in Durham?
Lincoln Community Health Center - Dental
- Type: Community Health Center
- Address: 1301 Fayetteville St, Durham, NC 27707
- Phone: (919) 956-4034
- Hours: Mon-Fri 8am-5pm; limited walk-in slots
- Cost: Sliding-scale fees based on income
- Medicaid: Accepted
- Good to know: Urgent dental care, cleanings, fluoride, basic extractions, fillings and limited root canals. The sliding fee scale is based on income and family size. Walk-in slots are limited, so arrive early or call ahead.
Durham County Public Health Dental Clinic
- Type: Public Health Department Clinic
- Address: 414 East Main Street, 2nd Floor, Durham, NC 27701
- Phone: (919) 560-7680
- Hours: Mon-Thu 8am-4:30pm; Fri 8am-12pm
- Cost: Sliding-scale fees based on income
- Medicaid: Accepted
- Good to know: Serves children from the first tooth to their 21st birthday, children and youth with special needs, and pregnant women. Interpretation is available. Services include exams, cleanings, sealants, fillings, extractions and small crowns.
Local Start Dental
- Type: Nonprofit Community Clinic
- Address: 370 Jackson Street, Durham, NC 27701
- Phone: (919) 569-5533
- Hours: Not listed, call ahead
- Cost: Reduced fees
- Medicaid: Not stated
- Good to know: General dentistry, cleanings, extractions, emergency care, implants and dentures made in its on-site lab. Worth a call if you need dentures.
Tooth Ferry Mobile Dental Unit
- Type: School-Based or Mobile Program
- Phone: (919) 560-7683
- Hours: Tue and Thu, scheduled with schools
- Cost: Sliding-scale fees based on income
- Medicaid: Accepted
- Good to know: Visits Durham Public Schools elementary schools to treat students who don't have a regular dentist, with parent permission.
Our Durham page also lists a general Lincoln Community Health Center line and the Durham County Health Department and Mobile Van.
Which option fits my situation?
- Uninsured adult in Wake County: Start with Advance Community Health's sliding scale. If you're a patient at one of the partner clinics, ask about a referral to Wake Smiles.
- Toothache in Durham: Lincoln Community Health Center offers urgent care and limited walk-in slots.
- Child or pregnant in Durham: The county public health dental clinic is set up for you.
- Just need a cleaning: Wake Tech's hygiene students can do it at reduced fees after a screening.
- Need dentures: Local Start Dental has an on-site lab.
Does North Carolina Medicaid cover dental care for adults?
Yes. NC Medicaid covers dental care for adults as well as children. For adults, that generally includes exams, cleanings, X-rays, fillings, extractions and dentures, while more complex work like crowns, bridges and implants usually isn't covered. Ask the clinic what your plan pays for before treatment begins.
Since December 2023, NC Medicaid has been open to more adults ages 19 to 64 with lower incomes, so if you were turned down in the past, apply again. Children who were in NC Health Choice moved into Medicaid in 2023, and kids' dental care is covered. For children's coverage help, visit Insure Kids Now.
How much will I pay?
Across our 11 Triangle listings, five charge sliding-scale fees based on income, three charge reduced fees and three ask you to contact them about fees. The only fixed figure in our data is Wake Smiles' $40 administrative fee per appointment. At sliding-scale clinics, your price depends on household income and size, so bring proof of income and ask about your fee level before any work starts.
What should I bring to my first visit?
- A photo ID and your Medicaid or insurance card
- Proof of income for the sliding fee (pay stubs, a benefits letter or a tax return)
- Your referral, if you're going to Wake Smiles
- A list of medications and any recent dental X-rays
Quick FAQ
Is there a free dental clinic in Raleigh? Wake Smiles is a charitable program for uninsured Wake County adults, but you need a referral and there's a $40 administrative fee per appointment.
Can I walk in for dental care in Durham? Lincoln Community Health Center has limited walk-in slots on weekdays.
Does the Durham County health department see adults? Its dental clinic serves people under 21, children and youth with special needs, and pregnant women.
Looking elsewhere in the state? See my guides to Charlotte and Greensboro and Winston-Salem. Our directory covers low-cost dental clinics across North Carolina, from Raleigh and Durham to Charlotte and High Point.