Mon-Sat 6:30am-5:30pm (closed for lunch 11:30am-12:30pm)
Eligibility
Open to all; sliding fee scale based on income and family size for under-insured/uninsured; accepts Apple Health (Medicaid), Medicare, TRICARE and most private insurance
Open to all; sliding fee scale discounts based on household size and income; accepts Medicaid, Medicare and commercial insurance; serves all persons regardless of ability to pay
Children and young adults; no child turned away due to inability to pay; sliding fee scale for under-insured/uninsured; accepts Apple Health (Medicaid), TRICARE and most private insurance
Mon-Thu 8am-3pm (by appointment; closed on college holidays and summer break)
Eligibility
Open to the public; accepts Apple Health for adults; fees generally less than private practice and due at time of service; no emergency treatment, root canals, orthodontics, or third-molar extractions
Washington Apple Health (Medicaid) covers adult dental (21+) as a fee-for-service benefit via the ProviderOne card: exams, cleanings, x-rays, fillings, extractions, front-tooth root canals, and dentures/partials; implants, bridges, porcelain crowns, and premolar/molar root canals are generally not covered.
Emergency dental care
Community Health Care's Milgard Family Dental Clinic offers emergency dental care — call the dental appointment line (253) 722-2151, Mon-Sat. Sea Mar Tacoma Cedar also lists adult emergency dental care, (253) 682-2860, Mon-Sat 8am-5pm. For a life-threatening emergency, go to the nearest hospital ER.
More ways to save
Bates Technical College student dental clinic — among the lowest-cost options in Tacoma (exams, fillings, crowns, denture services); (253) 680-7310. Separate denture clinic: (253) 680-7314.
Dental Lifeline Network - Washington Donated Dental Services: free comprehensive dental care for people 65+, permanently disabled, or medically fragile with no means to pay; coordinator (206) 441-8777. As of Oct 2026, all counties were reported closed to new applications due to lengthy waitlists.
UW School of Dentistry in Seattle (about 35 miles north) charges substantially less than private practice for complex work; new-patient line (206) 616-6996.
Sea Mar also operates a Tacoma 11th Street dental clinic (1215 S 11th St) and a Cushman Ave medical/dental site, but those pages were not opened and verified at press time. Community Health Care operates four dental clinics across Pierce County (Eastside/Tacoma, Hilltop/Tacoma, Lakewood, Parkland); only the Eastside/Tacoma site was verified here.
4 verified low-cost options are listed above, including Community Health Care - Milgard Family Dental Clinic (Eastside), Sea Mar Tacoma Dental Clinic - Cedar, Lindquist Dental Clinic for Children - Parkland. Call ahead to confirm eligibility and fees.
Does WA Medicaid cover dental for adults?
Washington Apple Health (Medicaid) covers adult dental (21+) as a fee-for-service benefit via the ProviderOne card: exams, cleanings, x-rays, fillings, extractions, front-tooth root canals, and dentures/partials; implants, bridges, porcelain crowns, and premolar/molar root canals are generally not covered.
Where do I go for emergency dental care in Tacoma?
Community Health Care's Milgard Family Dental Clinic offers emergency dental care — call the dental appointment line (253) 722-2151, Mon-Sat. Sea Mar Tacoma Cedar also lists adult emergency dental care, (253) 682-2860, Mon-Sat 8am-5pm. For a life-threatening emergency, go to the nearest hospital ER.
Last checked 2026-10-07. Hours, fees, and eligibility change — call ahead before visiting.
