Community Health Center
CCNV Shelter
425 2nd St NW, Washington, DC 20001-2037 0.3 miles away
Community Health Center
Central Union Mission
65 Massachusetts Ave NW, Washington, DC 20001-1431
Central Union Mission is a community health center dental clinic in Washington, DC, operated by Unity Health Care, which runs 14 clinics in District of Columbia.
The health center is open about 3.5 hours a week and may run only one or two days, so dental appointments are scarce.
Access to This Clinic
This is a part-time site. Part-time health center locations may be open only one or two days a week, and dental services may be available on fewer days still. Confirm the dental schedule before planning a visit.
Clinic Details
| Address | 65 Massachusetts Ave NW, Washington, DC 20001 |
|---|---|
| Phone | 202-715-7900 |
| Operated by | Unity Health Care |
| Program | Health Center Program (federally funded) |
| Site schedule | Part-Time |
| Operating calendar | Year-Round |
Costs and Coverage
Fees follow an income-based scale, so the same treatment costs different patients different amounts. The bands are set by Unity Health Care rather than nationally, which is why prices differ between two clinics on the same scale. Get the assessment done first; it changes what the whole plan costs, not just the first visit. Our guide to applying for the discount lists the documents to bring.
This clinic has a Medicaid billing registration on file, which is a good sign but not a guarantee for your particular plan. District of Columbia decides its own adult dental benefit, which ranges from comprehensive to emergency extractions only depending on the state and the year. Children are covered everywhere. The Medicaid dental page covers how to check yours.
Dental Services
Service and coverage information recorded for this clinic includes:
- Medicaid
Treatments offered and insurance accepted change over time, and services not listed here may still be available. Contact the clinic to confirm what is currently offered.
Planning Your Visit
65 Massachusetts Ave NW, Washington, DC 20001
The published number is 202-715-7900. At larger organizations it may reach central scheduling rather than the dental department, so say which clinic you are calling about and that it is for dental care.
Before making the trip, check: the dental hours, and which days appointments run, whether new dental patients are being taken, and the current wait, what a first visit costs, before and after any discount, and what to bring for the sliding fee application.
Common Questions
What if I have no income at all?
Health centers deal with this routinely and have a procedure for applicants who cannot document income — usually a signed declaration. Being unable to prove income is not a reason to stay away; say so when you call so they can tell you what to bring instead.
Does Medicare cover this?
Original Medicare does not cover routine dental care, which surprises most people who reach retirement expecting otherwise. Some Medicare Advantage plans include a limited dental benefit. The sliding scale here does not depend on Medicare, so ask about it separately.
Can I get dentures here?
Many health centers do dentures, and the discount can make them dramatically cheaper than private practice. The catch is laboratory costs, which are often billed on top of the discounted fee and are the bulk of the price. Ask for the total including laboratory work.
What happens if I miss an appointment?
Missed dental appointments are taken seriously because the chair time cannot be reused, and repeated no-shows can affect whether you keep the slot. Call to cancel even at short notice; it costs you nothing and keeps you on the books.
Can I pay in installments?
Many health centers will arrange this, particularly for dentures or a course of treatment, but it is rarely advertised and you generally have to ask. Agree the amount and the schedule before treatment starts, and ask what happens if you miss one, because that varies more than the plans themselves do.
What if I need a specialist they do not have?
You would normally be referred out, and a referral from a health center does not carry the discount with it — the outside specialist charges their own fee. Ask what the referral would cost before starting anything that depends on it, because that is the point where an affordable plan often stops being affordable.
Other Clinics Operated by Unity Health Care
Unity Health Care operates 13 other clinics elsewhere in District of Columbia. Where an organization runs several clinics, the waits rarely match. It is worth asking which one has capacity before settling on the closest. The income assessment usually transfers between sites in the same organization, which saves repeating the paperwork. What is treated at one site is no guide to another, so confirm with the clinic you actually intend to visit.
Other Dental Clinics Nearby
Straight-line distances. The nearest clinic is not reliably the one that can see you soonest, so try a couple.
- CCNV Shelter — Washington, less than a mile away
- So Others Might Eat (SOME) — Washington, less than a mile away
- Bread for the City's Northwest Center — Washington, about 1 mile away
- N Street Village — Washington, about 1.3 miles away
Confirmed Payment Options
Income-Based FeesMedicaid
Call Central Union Mission
Confirm current dental services, appointment availability, costs and accepted insurance directly with the clinic.
Nearby Affordable Dental Clinics
Community Health Center
So Others Might Eat (SOME)
60 O St NW, Washington, DC 20001-1259 0.7 miles away
Community Health Center
Bread for the City's Northwest Center
1525 7th St NW, Washington, DC 20001-3201 1 mile away
Community Health Center
N Street Village
1333 N St NW, Washington, DC 20005-4565 1.3 miles away
Before you call
