Federally Qualified Health Center — will not turn patients away regardless of ability to pay; accepts most insurance plans; sliding fee discount schedule for uninsured
Tue & Thu 8am-4pm; open during fall, spring, and summer semesters only
Eligibility
Open to the public, all ages; reduced rates — cleaning $35 adult / $25 child, x-rays $10-$40, sealants $15/tooth; payment due at time of service; does not accept insurance
Iowa Medicaid's Dental Wellness Plan (DWP) provides dental coverage for adults ages 19 and older through managed-care dental plans — Delta Dental of Iowa and DentaQuest (since July 1, 2026). Covered services include exams, cleanings, x-rays, fluoride, fillings, root canals, crowns, dentures, and extractions. Adults 21+ have a $1,000 annual benefit maximum per state fiscal year (July 1-June 30); preventive, diagnostic, and emergency services, anesthesia with approved oral surgery, removable dentures, and medically necessary orthodontics are excluded from the cap. (Verified from Iowa HHS Dental Wellness Plan materials and the official HHS announcement.)
Emergency dental care
Broadlawns Dental Clinic offers emergent care for urgent dental issues — call (515) 282-2421, Mon-Fri 8am-4:30pm. For life-threatening emergencies, call 911 or go to the ER.
More ways to save
Primary Health Care offers a sliding fee discount schedule for uninsured patients — ask the clinic office about it when you call.
DMACC Dental Hygiene Clinic: cleanings $35 for adults / $25 for children, with other preventive services at reduced rates.
The DMACC Dental Hygiene Clinic is in Ankeny (~20 min north of Des Moines); appointments run longer than a typical private-office visit because care is provided by students under faculty supervision, and the clinic only operates during fall, spring, and summer semesters. DMACC provides preventive services only — no fillings, crowns, or extractions.
Where can I get cheap dental care in Des Moines, IA?
3 verified low-cost options are listed above, including Broadlawns Medical Center Dental Clinic, Primary Health Care - Engebretsen Dental Clinic, DMACC Dental Hygiene Clinic. Call ahead to confirm eligibility and fees.
Does IA Medicaid cover dental for adults?
Iowa Medicaid's Dental Wellness Plan (DWP) provides dental coverage for adults ages 19 and older through managed-care dental plans — Delta Dental of Iowa and DentaQuest (since July 1, 2026). Covered services include exams, cleanings, x-rays, fluoride, fillings, root canals, crowns, dentures, and extractions. Adults 21+ have a $1,000 annual benefit maximum per state fiscal year (July 1-June 30); preventive, diagnostic, and emergency services, anesthesia with approved oral surgery, removable dentures, and medically necessary orthodontics are excluded from the cap. (Verified from Iowa HHS Dental Wellness Plan materials and the official HHS announcement.)
Where do I go for emergency dental care in Des Moines?
Broadlawns Dental Clinic offers emergent care for urgent dental issues — call (515) 282-2421, Mon-Fri 8am-4:30pm. For life-threatening emergencies, call 911 or go to the ER.
Last checked 2026-10-07. Hours, fees, and eligibility change — call ahead before visiting.
