Improving Dental Access

Good oral health is essential to overall well-being, yet cost, lack of insurance, and long waitlists remain significant barriers to routine care. In Santa Clara County, community health centers, county-run facilities, and local teaching clinics work together to bridge this gap by offering affordable treatment regardless of a patient’s financial situation. Most community health organizations accept Medi-Cal Dental (Denti-Cal) and provide sliding-fee discounts based on household income and family size, ensuring uninsured and underinsured residents can access essential exams, restorative work, and emergency care. For preventive maintenance, local dental hygiene colleges offer comprehensive cleanings and X-rays at a fraction of standard rates. To secure an appointment and verify eligibility for financial assistance, contact the clinic nearest you directly before your visit.

Low-Cost and Community Dental Clinics

These community health centers and Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs) accept Medi-Cal Dental (Denti-Cal) and provide sliding-fee discounts based on household income and family size.

Gardner Health Services

All Gardner dental appointments can be requested through their centralized scheduling line.

• Central Scheduling: (408) 457-7100

• CompreCare Health Center: 3030 Alum Rock Ave., San Jose, CA 95127

• Gardner South County Dental: 7526 Monterey St., Gilroy, CA 95020 | Direct Dental: (408) 457-7101

• St. James Health Center: 55 E. Julian St., San Jose, CA 95112 | Direct: (408) 918-2626

Santa Clara Valley Healthcare (SCVH) Dental Clinics

Santa Clara County’s public health network uses a centralized dental scheduling line for all clinic locations.

• Central Dental Appointments: (408) 808-6102

• Ability to Pay / Financial Assistance Program: (866) 967-4677 (Office: 2325 Enborg Ln., San Jose, CA 95128)

• Valley Health Center Tully: 500 Tully Rd., San Jose, CA 95111 (Adult, pediatric, pregnancy, and emergency care)

• Valley Health Center East Valley: 1993 McKee Rd., San Jose, CA 95116 (Pediatric and pregnancy care)

• Valley Health Center Downtown San Jose: 777 E. Santa Clara St., San Jose, CA 95112 (Pediatric and pregnancy care)

• Valley Health Center Sunnyvale: 660 S. Fair Oaks Ave., Sunnyvale, CA 94086 (Adult, teen, pregnancy, and emergency care)

• Valley Health Center Milpitas: 143 N. Main St., Milpitas, CA 95035 (Adult, pediatric, pregnancy, and emergency care)

• Valley Health Center Mountain View: 2486 W. El Camino Real, Mountain View, CA 94040 (Adult, pediatric, and emergency care)

• Valley Health Center Gilroy: 7475 Camino Arroyo, Gilroy, CA 95020 (Adult, pediatric, and emergency care)

• Valley Medical Center – Hospital Dentistry: 751 S. Bascom Ave., San Jose, CA 95128 (Medically complex, specialized, and surgical care)

Bay Area Community Health (BACH)

• Central Scheduling: (408) 729-9700

• Montpelier Clinic (Dental): 2380 Montpelier Dr., Suite 200, San Jose, CA 95116

• Story Road Clinic: 2880 Story Rd., Suite 10, San Jose, CA 95127 (Offers medical care and intake; referrals made to Montpelier for dental)

Indian Health Center of Santa Clara Valley

• Forest Dental Office: 2039 Forest Ave., Suite 204B, San Jose, CA 95128

• Dental Line: (408) 960-7200

• Main Health Center: 1333 Meridian Ave., San Jose, CA 95125 | (408) 445-3400

Asian Americans for Community Involvement (AACI)

• Phone: (408) 975-2730

• Moorpark Clinic: 2400 Moorpark Ave., Suite 110, San Jose, CA 95128

• Jackson Clinic: 266 N. Jackson Ave., Suite 1, San Jose, CA 95116

Ravenswood Family Health Network (MayView Clinics)

• Central Appointments: (650) 330-7400

• Mountain View Dental Clinic: 900 Miramonte Ave., 2nd Floor, Mountain View, CA 94040

• Sunnyvale Clinic: 785 Morse Ave., Sunnyvale, CA 94085

On-Site Dental Care Foundation (Mobile Van)

• Services: Free and low-cost preventive and restorative dental care provided via mobile vans at partner shelters, transitional housing, and community centers across Santa Clara County.

• Website: osdcf.org

Dental Hygiene Programs and Teaching Clinics

The following hygiene schools offer free or low-cost dental cleanings, deep cleanings (scaling & root planing), and X-rays performed by student hygienists under licensed faculty supervision. These clinics provide preventive hygiene cleanings only; no fillings, crowns, or extractions are performed.

• Foothill College Dental Hygiene Clinic

  • Phone: (650) 949-7335

  • Email: dentalhygieneclinic@foothill.edu

  • Location: 12345 El Monte Rd., Building 5300, Room 5312, Los Altos Hills, CA 94022

  • Note: Open during academic quarters (September–June; limited or closed in August).

• Carrington College Dental Hygiene Clinic

  • Phone: (408) 960-0181

  • Location: 5883 Rue Ferrari, Suite 125, San Jose, CA 95138

  • Note: Operates Monday through Thursday year-round by appointment.

• Chabot College Dental Hygiene Clinic (Nearby Alameda County)

  • Phone: (510) 723-6900

  • Location: 25555 Hesperian Blvd., Building 2200, Hayward, CA 94545