Durham County Department of Public Health Dental Clinic
414 East Main Street, Lobby 21, Durham, NC 27701 Website ↗
Sliding-scale fees
Accepts Medicaid
What you'll pay verified
Sliding-scale fees — Fees based on a sliding scale according to income and family size (children through age 20, special-needs youth, and pregnant women); exact fees not published ✓
Sliding-scale charge (user-reported) — $150 charged sliding-scale charge reported by a site user (Sep 2018); not clinic-verified ✓
Medicaid: Accepts Medicaid and patients without insurance
Children from first tooth to 21st birthday, children/youth with special needs, and pregnant women (12-28 weeks); accepts Medicaid and uninsured patients (sliding scale by income and family size)
NC Medicaid offers comprehensive adult dental benefits: routine cleanings, exams, and other preventive services; medically necessary care includes some oral surgeries, periodontal care, tooth restoration, and denture fittings/placements (complete dentures replaceable every 10 years, partials every 5 years). Copays are never more than $4.
Emergency dental care
Lincoln Community Health Center offers urgent dental care Mon–Fri 8am–5pm — call 919-956-4034 (after hours, call 919-956-4000). Local Start Dental also offers emergency dental care at (919) 569-5533. For facial trauma, uncontrolled bleeding, or swelling with fever, go to the nearest emergency room.
More ways to save
Lincoln Community Health Center — FQHC dental care for all regardless of income or insurance; urgent care dental at 919-956-4034.
Durham County Public Health Dental Clinic — sliding scale for uninsured children, special-needs youth, and pregnant women; accepts Medicaid.
Local Start Dental — nonprofit affordable dentistry with in-house denture fabrication; call (919) 569-5533.
The Durham County Public Health Dental Clinic and Tooth Ferry mobile unit primarily serve children, special-needs youth, and pregnant women — general adults should use Lincoln Community Health Center or Local Start Dental.
3 verified low-cost options are listed above, including Lincoln Community Health Center - Dental, Local Start Dental, Durham County Department of Public Health Dental Clinic. Call ahead to confirm eligibility and fees.
Does NC Medicaid cover dental for adults?
NC Medicaid offers comprehensive adult dental benefits: routine cleanings, exams, and other preventive services; medically necessary care includes some oral surgeries, periodontal care, tooth restoration, and denture fittings/placements (complete dentures replaceable every 10 years, partials every 5 years). Copays are never more than $4.
Where do I go for emergency dental care in Durham?
Lincoln Community Health Center offers urgent dental care Mon–Fri 8am–5pm — call 919-956-4034 (after hours, call 919-956-4000). Local Start Dental also offers emergency dental care at (919) 569-5533. For facial trauma, uncontrolled bleeding, or swelling with fever, go to the nearest emergency room.
Last checked 2026-10-07. Hours, fees, and eligibility change — call ahead before visiting.
