Dental

Low-Cost Children's Dental Providers

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  • Tolosa Children’s Dental Center, (805) 238-5334, www.tolosachildrensdental.org. Sliding scale and Denti-Cal. Clinics in Paso Robles (Monday-Friday) and San Luis Obispo (Thursdays only). Note that they will take children with special needs.
  • Private providers accepting Denti-Cal, see SLO County Dental Providers, updated 2019.​

Need Help?

Download the Family Resource Center Directory and contact the appropriate Family Resource Center for help from an advocate or other staff member.

Family Resource Centers can help with non-medical needs too, such as food, clothing, and shelter.

Children's Dental Access Issues?

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Contact Barbara Morrow with the SLO County Oral Health Program at (805) 781-5503 or bmorrow@co.slo.ca.us for help obtaining dental services for children.

Check out sesamestreetincommunities.org/topics/health for oral health information, resources, videos and activities for children.

New Resource to Help Parents Find and Work with a Dentist

Many parents are not aware of what to look for in a dentist for a young child and when to start dental care. Once they have a dentist for their child, they often don't know several important things:  
  • Children should be seen quickly in an emergency,
  • Children should be seen for an exam, cleaning, and x-rays in one visit, and
  • All repair work in one area of the mouth should be completed during one visit.
The Finding the Right Dentist for Your Child guide covers all of these issues. It also gives parents information about who to contact if they need a different dentist. Click below to download your copy. Please feel free to distribute to parents and guardians.
Finding the Right Dentist for Your Child Guide
File Size: 1064 kb
File Type: pdf
Download File

Homeless Residents

Low-income residents who do not qualify for other health insurance but are homeless are eligible for care through CHC's Homeless Services. Providers and clients can contact the Navigation Center at 805-361-8400 to be directed to a clinic. Case management is not mandatory, though clients must try to sign up for Medi-Cal (this will not affect immigration status).

Grants Available for Children's Dental Care

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The SLO County Children's Dental Services Grant helps with the costs of urgent dental treatment. Children can be referred directly by dental or health care providers, school nurses, WIC clinics, and other child-serving professionals. Funds are limited and are assigned on a case-by-case basis to families who cannot afford treatment.
 
The Children's Dental Service Grant is administered by Center for Family Strengthening. Families are connected to dental care by County Public Health's CHDP Program. For more information on how to access this fund for clients, contact Bridgette Hernandez, Supervising Public Health Nurse, at (805) 788-2108 or bhernandez@co.slo.ca.us.