Quick answer: For low-cost dental care in San Diego, start with a community health center that charges sliding-scale fees based on income and accepts Medi-Cal; there are clinics in City Heights, North Park, Logan Heights, Hillcrest and Linda Vista. If you have no money for care, UCSD's student-run free dental clinics see patients on set nights. If you have Medi-Cal, adult dental care is covered.
When I went through the 27 San Diego listings in our directory, 21 turned out to be community health centers, and 20 list sliding-scale fees based on income. 24 say they accept Medi-Cal. The rest include two free student-run clinics, a children's dental nonprofit, a dental hygiene school clinic and an American Indian health center. Every clinic is in San Diego County, and our San Diego city page has the full list. Below are the ones I'd call first.
Where can I get low-cost dental care in San Diego?
All of these are open to the public and verified in our directory. Hours are sometimes the whole health center's hours, so call to confirm dental hours.
Logan Heights Family Health Center - Dental
- Type: Community Health Center
- Address: 1809 National Avenue, San Diego, CA 92113
- Phone: (619) 515-2394
- Hours: Mon-Fri 8am-5:30pm; Sat 8am-5pm (clinic hours)
- Cost: Sliding-scale fees based on income
- Medicaid: Accepted
- Good to know: Services include exams, cleanings, fillings, crowns, dentures, root canals, extractions, emergency care and children's dentistry. One of the few listings here with Saturday hours.
North Park Family Health Center - Dental
- Type: Community Health Center
- Address: 3544 30th Street, San Diego, CA 92104
- Phone: (619) 515-2434
- Hours: Dental Mon-Fri 8:15am-5pm (closed 12-1pm)
- Cost: Sliding-scale fees based on income
- Medicaid: Accepted
- Good to know: Offers the same range of general, emergency and children's dentistry as the Logan Heights clinic.
Diamond Neighborhoods Family Health Center - Dental
- Type: Community Health Center
- Address: 4725 Market Street, San Diego, CA 92102
- Phone: (619) 515-2420
- Hours: Dental Mon-Fri 8:15am-5pm (closed 12-1pm)
- Cost: Sliding-scale fees based on income
- Medicaid: Accepted
- Good to know: A Market Street option for exams, X-rays, fillings, root canals, dentures and emergency visits.
La Maestra City Heights Dental (4305 University Ave, Suites 120 and 150)
- Type: Community Health Center
- Address: 4305 University Avenue, Suites 120 and 150, San Diego, CA 92105
- Phone: (619) 280-4213
- Hours: Suite 120 Mon-Fri 8am-5pm; Suite 150 Mon-Fri 8:30am-5:30pm
- Cost: Sliding-scale fees based on income
- Medicaid: Accepted
- Good to know: Two dental suites in one City Heights building. The phone is a central line, so ask for dental.
San Diego Family Care Dental Services
- Type: Community Health Center
- Address: 7011 Linda Vista Road, San Diego, CA 92111
- Phone: (858) 810-8729
- Hours: Mon-Fri 8:30am-5:30pm; Sat 9am-4pm
- Cost: Sliding-scale fees based on income
- Medicaid: Accepted
- Good to know: Sees children and adults, offers sedation for children, and welcomes emergencies. Saturday hours are a plus.
San Ysidro Health - King-Chavez Health Center
- Type: Community Health Center
- Address: 950 South Euclid Avenue, San Diego, CA 92114
- Phone: (619) 662-4100
- Hours: No dental services on Saturdays; call for weekday dental hours
- Cost: Sliding-scale fees based on income
- Medicaid: Accepted
- Good to know: All ages, including dentures and pediatric dentistry. It also hosts a Special Needs Adult Dental Clinic for people 14 and older who are registered with San Diego Regional Center.
OPSAM HEALTH: 10737 Camino Ruiz Ste. 235
- Type: Community Health Center
- Address: 10737 Camino Ruiz, Suite 235, San Diego, CA 92126
- Phone: (209) 683-5640
- Hours: Mon-Fri 8am-5pm
- Cost: Sliding-scale fees based on income
- Medicaid: Accepted
- Good to know: Farther north on Camino Ruiz, this clinic offers exams, cleanings, fillings, extractions, gum disease treatment and children's care.
Is there free dental care in San Diego?
Yes, a little. UCSD runs student-run free dental clinics, and two are in the city. They have no listed phone, so check the listing page for details before you go.
UCSD Student-Run Free Dental Clinic - Pacific Beach
- Type: Free or Charitable Clinic
- Address: 1561 Thomas Street, San Diego, CA 92109
- Hours: Tuesday and Wednesday nights; Wednesday is an urgent care walk-in clinic
- Cost: Free
- Medicaid: Not stated
- Good to know: Offers comprehensive care with treatment planning. The Wednesday walk-in night is the one to try if you're in pain.
The second one, the UCSD Student-Run Free Dental Clinic - Downtown at 1420 Third Avenue, is open Monday nights. If you're American Indian or Alaska Native, the San Diego American Indian Health Center on First Avenue lists dental care that's free for eligible patients; call (619) 234-2158 to check eligibility.
Can I get a cheap cleaning at a dental hygiene school?
Yes. Students do the work under supervision, so visits take longer than a regular office.
Concorde Career College San Diego Dental Clinic
- Type: Dental Hygiene School Clinic
- Address: 4393 Imperial Ave., San Diego, CA 92113
- Phone: (619) 752-3900
- Hours: Not listed, call ahead
- Cost: Reduced fees
- Medicaid: Not stated
- Good to know: Cleanings, X-rays, sealants and bite guards; no emergency care. Appointments are preferred, though walk-ins may be taken if students are available.
Just south of the city, the Southwestern College Dental Hygiene Clinic in National City also offers cleanings and X-rays; leave a voicemail to request an appointment.
Does Medi-Cal cover dental care for adults?
Yes. Medi-Cal includes dental benefits for adults and children through Medi-Cal Dental. Covered care generally includes exams, X-rays, cleanings, fillings, root canals, crowns, dentures and extractions, with limits on how often some services can be done. You can look up benefits on the Medi-Cal Dental website.
Starting July 1, 2027, some adults 19 and older who don't qualify for federal full-scope Medi-Cal because of their immigration status will be limited to emergency dental care. If that might be you, use your benefits before then. Pregnant members and people under 19 keep full dental coverage.
How much will I pay?
- Sliding-scale fees based on income: most San Diego health centers. Bring proof of income and household size and you'll be placed on a discount tier.
- Free: the UCSD student-run clinics.
- Reduced fees: hygiene school clinics, which are lower than a private office but don't publish prices.
- Contact the clinic about fees: three city listings don't publish fees, so ask.
I don't list prices that clinics haven't published. Ask for a written estimate before big work like crowns or dentures.
What should I bring to my first visit?
- A photo ID, if you have one
- Your Medi-Cal card or other insurance card
- Proof of income (pay stubs, a benefits letter or a tax return) for the sliding scale
- Proof of address
- A list of your medicines
Which nearby cities have low-cost dental clinics?
Our directory lists 24 more clinics close to San Diego, almost all community health centers. El Cajon has 10 and National City has 7, with more in Chula Vista, Lemon Grove, La Mesa, Spring Valley and Imperial Beach. Heading north? See my guides to low-cost dental care in Los Angeles and in the San Francisco Bay Area.
FAQ
Can I get dental care in San Diego without insurance? Yes. Community health centers see uninsured patients and set fees by income.
Where can I get emergency dental care in San Diego for low cost? Several health centers above list emergency care, and UCSD's Pacific Beach clinic runs a Wednesday night urgent care walk-in.
Is there Saturday dental care in San Diego? Logan Heights Family Health Center and San Diego Family Care Dental Services list Saturday hours.
Our directory covers low-cost dental clinics across California, from El Cajon to Imperial Beach. On the go? Search near you.