Free and Low-Cost Dental Care in St. Louis County

Where can I find free or low-cost dental care in St. Louis County?

Start with the Missouri Dental Association (MDA) page on low income resources. It points to dental school clinics, a program for children, a donated care program and a state resource page. This list is as of October 2026. The MDA says it is “not affiliated with the clinics, nor do we maintain information on appointment availability, policies or fees.” Call each place before you go.

What about Missouri Mission of Mercy?

The MDA page says Missouri Mission of Mercy is “a project of the MDA Foundation” and “a large-scale dental clinic that provides free oral healthcare.” It adds, “At this time a future MOMOM has not been announced.” If a new event is announced, the MDA page is the place to look.

Do dental schools and hygiene programs offer care?

The MDA lists “dental care opportunities offered by dental education programs located in Missouri.” In the St. Louis area, its list includes the A.T. Still University clinic at St. Louis Dental Center and the St. Louis Community College Forest Park hygiene program. A “hygiene only” listing means students in a hygiene program clean teeth. It does not mean the clinic does fillings or extractions.

Student and hygiene clinics can differ from a private office in schedule and services. Ask what services the clinic offers, how to apply and what it charges. We do not know the fees. Only the clinic can tell you.

Does Dental Lifeline Network serve people near Wildwood?

Its Missouri page says it is accepting applications from certain counties, and St. Louis County is on its current list. It has eligibility rules, so read our post on Dental Lifeline Network in Missouri before applying.

How should I prepare to call a program?

Have your facts ready, and the call goes faster. Write down these items before you dial:

1. Your age, county and the number of people in your household.
2. Whether anyone in the household has MO HealthNet, Medicare or other coverage.
3. What is wrong: pain, a broken tooth, a missing filling, or a checkup.
4. How long you have had the problem and whether you have swelling.
5. Days and times you can travel to an appointment.

Ask each program what it covers, whom it serves and how long the wait is. Programs change what they offer, and the MDA says it does not track availability. If one program says no, ask if they know another place to call. Keep a notebook with each call, the date and the answer.

A regular dental exam is also the point where a dentist can tell you which problems are urgent and which can wait for a program to open.

What does MO HealthNet cover?

Per the MO HealthNet Division, adult coverage “is limited and includes dental services and care related to trauma of the mouth, jaw, teeth, or other contiguous sites.” Children and some other groups have comprehensive dental services. Read our post on MO HealthNet and adult dental care for the details. The glossary entry on MO HealthNet dental explains the program in short.

What if I need care right now?

Do not wait for a program if you have a dental emergency. Trouble breathing or swallowing means calling 911 or going to an emergency room. Read our dental emergency guide. Our office is closed Friday to Sunday.

For routine costs, ask a dental office for a written estimate before treatment. Our post on paying for dental care explains common options. A treatment plan from a dentist lists the steps, so you can ask programs which ones they cover.

Next step

See our family dentistry page for the services our dentists describe. To ask about your visit or a written estimate, call (636) 273-5866 or request an appointment.