Availability can differ by county and changes as waiting lists fill. Check the current South Carolina status below before applying.
For ongoing care, South Carolina also has 41 community health center dental locations offering income-based fees.
Free Dental Care in South Carolina
The charitable dental programs that name South Carolina in their service area, and whether each is currently taking applications. Waiting lists close without much notice.
Donated Dental Services (DDS)
Operated by Dental Lifeline Network
Accepting in some counties onlySouth Carolina applications
Only the counties listed on the program page are accepting applications. If yours is not on that list, this program cannot take you at present.
Check the program page for the current county list and application instructions.
Who qualifies: no way to afford care, and aged 65 or over, permanently disabled, or in need of medically necessary dental care. Not covered: emergencies and cosmetic work. Full description of the program.
Who in South Carolina knows the local picture
What exists in South Carolina beyond the programs above is usually known locally and not published. These are the places worth calling.
- South Carolina state oral health program — this office exists, but the link published for it no longer resolves. Search the South Carolina department of health for “oral health”, or call the department’s main line and ask for the oral health program.
- Your county health department — local staff may know about free clinics and charitable dental events in the county.
- The South Carolina dental association — state dental associations may organize one-day charitable events under names such as Mission of Mercy and Give Kids A Smile. Services and eligibility vary by event.
- The NAFC free clinic finder — member free and charitable clinics nationally, some of which offer dental care.
If this program cannot take you
If you do not meet the age or disability criteria, or you need work these programs exclude, the routes below are the practical ones:
- 41 community health center dental locations — income-based fees for eligible patients.
- 1 dental school — contact each school to confirm public clinic services, fees and appointments.
- 6 dental hygiene programs — contact each program to confirm public preventive care appointments.
- The NAFC free clinic finder — member free and charitable clinics nationally, some offering dental care.
- Your state dental association, which may list upcoming charitable dental events.
None of the programs here handle emergencies. Anything you think may be an emergency belongs in an emergency room. For pain without those signs, see which door to use when you cannot pay.