Dental grants and assistance programs in Wisconsin (2025–2026)

Wisconsin ranks among the top dozen states for adult Medicaid dental benefits, and residents can access a surprisingly deep network of free and low-cost dental programs. BadgerCare Plus covers comprehensive dental for adults and children with no annual dollar cap on the Standard Plan, Center for Health Care Strategies Marquette University runs the state’s only dental school clinic at 33–50% below private-practice rates, and a constellation of FQHCs, free clinics, and charity programs fills gaps across all 72 counties. Below is every major program, clinic, and resource available — with current addresses, phone numbers, eligibility rules, and honest assessments of each option.

1. Wisconsin Medicaid dental coverage through BadgerCare Plus and ForwardHealth

Wisconsin administers Medicaid dental benefits through ForwardHealth, the state’s Medicaid payment system. The program branded for most enrollees is BadgerCare Plus. Wisconsin is one of roughly 11 states providing “extensive” adult dental benefits Budget Seniors +2 — meaning adults receive far more than emergency-only coverage.

What the Standard Plan covers for adults 21+

The BadgerCare Plus Standard Plan covers diagnostic services (oral exams every six months per provider, bitewing and periapical X-rays, panoramic X-rays every three years), preventive care (cleanings, fluoride for ages 13+, sealants), restorative work (amalgam and composite fillings, crowns), endodontics (root canals), periodontics (scaling and root planing, periodontal maintenance), prosthodontics (complete and partial dentures), oral surgery (simple and surgical extractions), emergency dental services, and medically necessary anesthesia. ForwardHealth There is no stated annual dollar maximum on dental services under the Standard Plan. Center for Health Care Strategies

Services not covered for adults include orthodontia (only covered through age 20), dental implants, cosmetic procedures such as whitening or veneers, and experimental treatments. Growingfamilybenefits Some services — including crowns, dentures, orthodontia for children, and procedures exceeding frequency limits — require prior authorization, which must be processed within 7 calendar days (72 hours for urgent requests). Wisconsin Department of Health Services PA requests go through the ForwardHealth Portal, by fax at 608-221-8616, or by mail to ForwardHealth, Prior Authorization, Suite 88, 313 Blettner Blvd., Madison, WI 53784. Wisconsin Department of Health Services

The separate Benchmark Plan (a more limited tier for certain higher-income children and pregnant women) carries a $750 annual cap and $200 deductible with 50% cost-sharing ForwardHealthForwardHealth — but this does not apply to most adult enrollees on the Standard Plan.

How dental is administered: fee-for-service vs. managed care

In most of Wisconsin’s 72 counties, dental is administered fee-for-service — members see any dentist who accepts the ForwardHealth card. Wisconsin Department of Health Services In six metro counties — Kenosha, Milwaukee, Ozaukee, Racine, Washington, and Waukesha — dental may be managed through HMOs. Wisconsin Department of Health ServicesCCHP Members in these counties use network dentists through their assigned or chosen HMO. Wisconsin contracts with 13 HMOs for BadgerCare Plus, including Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield, Molina Healthcare, UnitedHealthcare Community Plan, iCare (Humana), MHS Health Wisconsin (Centene), Chorus Community Health Plans (Children’s Wisconsin), Dean Health Plan, Quartz, Network Health Plan, Security Health Plan, MercyCare, and the Group Health Cooperatives of Eau Claire and South Central Wisconsin. wisconsin DentaQuest manages dental benefits for members enrolled through Anthem DentaQuest and My Choice Wisconsin in the six-county metro area.

Children’s dental coverage under BadgerCare Plus

Children under 21 receive all services available to adults plus orthodontia (for severe malocclusion, with prior authorization, through age 20). Check Medicaid Wisconsin’s HealthCheck program — the state’s implementation of federal EPSDT — mandates that all medically necessary dental services be provided to children, even if not otherwise in the state plan. Dean Health PlanWisconsin Department of Health Services Fluoride varnish is covered up to four times per year for high-risk children under five. Wisconsin Department of Health Services Children under 19 pay no copays Wisconsin Department of Health Services and maintain 12-month continuous eligibility regardless of income changes during that period. Wisconsin Department of Health Services

Key contacts

2. BadgerCare Plus eligibility and income limits

Eligibility is based on Modified Adjusted Gross Income (MAGI) with no asset test. Check Medicaid +2 The income thresholds below are effective February 1, 2026 through January 31, 2027, per official DHS figures.

Income limits by household size (monthly)

Adults without dependent children (ages 19–64) qualify at up to 100% FPL. SNAP Screener Parents and caretaker relatives also qualify at up to 100% FPL. Check Medicaid Children under 19 qualify at up to 306% FPL, HealthInsurance.orgBefore Age 18 with premiums applying above 201% FPL. Wisconsin Department of Health Services Pregnant women qualify at up to 306% FPL MedicaidHealthInsurance.org and are exempt from cost-sharing; coverage continues 60 days postpartum. HealthInsurance.org Former foster care youth are eligible regardless of income until age 26.

Applications can be submitted online at access.wi.gov UnitedHealthcare Community Plan (fastest method, Wisconsin Department of Health Services approximately 30–45 minutes), by phone at 800-362-3002, in person at a local county or tribal Income Maintenance agency, or by mail. UnitedHealthcare Community Plan Standard processing takes up to 45 days; disability-based applications up to 90 days. Check Medicaid Pregnant women may receive temporary coverage while their application is processed. Wisconsin Department of Health Services

3. Donated Dental Services through the WDA Foundation

The Donated Dental Services (DDS) program connects eligible Wisconsin adults with volunteer dentists who provide comprehensive treatment at no cost. Administered locally by the Wisconsin Dental Association Foundation as a licensee of the national Dental Lifeline Network, the program has provided nearly $13 million in care to over 4,234 adults through roughly 890 volunteer dentists Grants for Seniors since 1998. Wda The average treatment value per patient exceeds $3,900. Wda

Eligibility

Applicants must meet at least one of three criteria: be age 65 or older, be permanently disabled Alliedhealthprograms (with Social Security Disability documentation), or have a medically fragile condition FindHelp where dental problems prevent essential medical treatment (physician documentation required). Wisconsin Department of Health Services Additionally, applicants must have no financial means to afford dental care and must not have dental coverage through Medicaid, BadgerCare Plus, or private insurance. FindHelp

Application status and waitlist

The program faces heavy demand. The Dental Lifeline Network’s Wisconsin page states that all counties are currently closed to new general applications due to lengthy waitlists. dentallifeline The WDA Foundation’s own page indicates applications are still accepted but with a minimum one-year wait for application review. Two important exceptions exist: veterans may apply even when counties are closed (DD214 documentation required), dentallifeline and medically necessary cases with physician documentation can apply regardless of county status. dentallifeline

Services include bridges, crowns, dentures, extractions, fillings, and prosthetics. Wda The program does not cover cosmetic care, implants, emergency services, Grants for Seniors or ongoing routine maintenance after the initial treatment plan.

Contact and application links

• Phone: 888-338-6852 (toll-free) or 414-755-4188 Dentallifeline
• Coordinator: Mary Beth Berres — mberres@wda.org Wisconsin Department of Health Services
• Mail: Wisconsin DDS, PO Box 14173, West Allis, WI 53214
• WDA application page: wda.org/wda-foundation/programs#DDS
• General DLN application: dentallifeline.org/help/
• Veteran application: dentallifeline.org/veterans/
• DLN Wisconsin page: dentallifeline.org/wisconsin/

4. Wisconsin’s only dental school: Marquette University in Milwaukee

Marquette University School of Dentistry is the sole accredited dental school in Wisconsin. UW-Madison does not have a dental school or operate a dental clinic — a common misconception. Marquette offers comprehensive dental care to the public at significantly reduced rates.

Key details

• Address: 1801 West Wisconsin Avenue, Milwaukee, WI 53233 Marquette University +2
• Appointments: (414) 288-6790 Marquette University (Mon–Fri 9am–4pm) Marquette University
• Spanish line: (414) 288-1520
• After-hours emergency (patients of record): (414) 507-8792
• Website: marquette.edu/dentistry/patients/
• Hours: Mon–Fri, 8am–12pm and 1pm–4:30pm Marquette UniversityMarquette University

Marquette offers full-service dental care including cleanings, fillings, extractions, root canals, crowns and bridges, complete and partial dentures, orthodontics and Invisalign, pediatric dentistry, implants, periodontics, oral surgery, oral pathology, CBCT imaging, and dental sleep apnea treatment. The school operates specialty clinics: the Delta Dental Urgent and Special Care Clinic Marquette University (walk-in emergency care and special needs patients), an Endodontics Clinic, Faculty Practice Clinic, GPR Clinic, Oral Surgery Clinic, Orthodontics Clinic, Pediatrics Clinic (children under 13), Periodontics Clinic, and Prosthodontics Clinic. Marquette Universitymarquette

Cost savings run approximately 33–50% below private practice rates. Sauk County Wisconsin Marquette accepts Wisconsin Medicaid/BadgerCare Plus in the predoctoral clinic and is an enrolled provider with Chorus Community Health Plan and Molina HMOs. Marquette University The Faculty Practice does not accept Medicaid or Medicare. Marquette University Private insurance is not billed directly — patients pay in full and submit for their own reimbursement. Marquette UniversityMarquette University

New patients schedule a 2–3 hour screening consultation Marquette University (at 9am or 1pm) where dental needs are matched against student educational requirements. No treatment is provided at the screening. Emergency walk-in care is available on a first-come, first-served basis starting at 7:30am daily for a limited number of patients. Marquette UniversityMarquette University

Technical college dental hygiene clinics

Several Wisconsin technical colleges operate dental hygiene clinics offering preventive care only (cleanings, X-rays, fluoride, sealants — no fillings or extractions) at remarkably low prices during academic semesters:

All technical college clinics operate only during fall and spring semesters and close during breaks. Appointments run 3–4 hours because student work is checked at each step by licensed supervisors. Nwtc

5. Wisconsin Mission of Mercy delivers $11 million in free care since 2009

The Wisconsin Mission of Mercy (WiMOM) is a biennial, large-scale free dental event organized by the Wisconsin Dental Association Foundation. Held every other year in odd-numbered years, there is no event in 2026 — the next will likely be in 2027 (location TBD).

The 2025 event was held July 25–26, 2025 at DC Everest Middle School, 9302 Schofield Ave., Schofield/Weston, WI (Wausau area). Doors opened at 5:30am both days. The event served patients on a first-come, first-served basis — no appointments, no ID, no insurance information, and no documentation required. Wausau Pilot & Review Services included fillings, extractions, cleanings, X-rays, fluoride varnish, dentures, sealants, root canals, and oral health education. Approximately 450 patients per day receive care. Wausau Pilot & Review

Since launching in 2009, WiMOM events have provided over $11 million in donated care to more than 16,000 patients. Affiliated DentistsWeston, WI The 2012 Madison event set a record: 3,043 patients and $1.75 million in services over two days. Spanish and Hmong interpreters are typically available. Wausau Pilot & Review

• WDA Foundation: 6737 W. Washington St., Ste. 2360, West Allis, WI 53214
• Phone: 800-364-7646 or 414-755-4198
• 2025 event page: wda.org/wda-foundation/wda-mission-of-mercy-2025
• Programs page: wda.org/wda-foundation/programs#MOM

6. Low-fee dental clinics across Wisconsin’s major cities

Milwaukee

Sixteenth Street Community Health Centers — 1032 S. Cesar E. Chavez Dr., Milwaukee, WI 53204 — (414) 672-1353 — sschc.org. FQHC accepting Medicaid/BadgerCare with sliding fee scale. Dental hygiene services, fluoride varnish, sealants, Silver Diamine Fluoride, and referrals. Serves south side Milwaukee and Waukesha for 50+ years.

Milwaukee Health Services, Inc. — MLK Heritage Health Center: 2555 N. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Dr., Mhsi (414) 372-8080; Wisconsin Legislature Isaac Coggs Heritage Health Center: 8200 W. Silver Spring Dr., (414) 760-3900 Mhawisconsin — mhsi.org. Comprehensive dental five days a week: exams, X-rays, fillings, extractions, dentures, root canals, cleanings, periodontal treatment. Sliding fee scale available. Dentalclinics

Progressive Community Health Centers — 3522 W. Lisbon Ave., Milwaukee, WI 53208 — (414) 935-8000 — progressivechc.org. FQHC with dental, sliding fee scale, serves nearly 15,000 patients annually across four locations.

Outreach Community Health Centers — 220 W. Capitol Dr., Milwaukee, WI 53212 — (414) 727-6320 Ochc-milwCity of Milwaukee — ochc-milw.org. Dental through Ascension Dental Clinic on-site; preventive, restorative, and urgent dental care Ochc-milw at five Milwaukee locations. Expanding to Racine.

Gerald L. Ignace Indian Health Center — 930 W. Historic Mitchell St., Milwaukee, WI 53204 — (414) 383-9526 — gliihc.net. FQHC open to all races and ethnicities. Comprehensive dental, Medicaid accepted, sliding fee scale.

Bread of Healing Clinic — Three Milwaukee locations — (414) 931-6670 City of Milwaukee ext. 103 — breadofhealingclinic.org. Free dental for uninsured patients with chronic illness. Exams, extractions, denture molds. Dental hygienist booked six months out.

Madison

Access Community Health Centers — Erdman Clinic: 2202 S. Park St., (608) 443-5482; Evjue Clinic: 3434 E. Washington Ave., (608) 443-5482; Accesscommunityhealthcenters Sun Prairie: 1270 W. Main St., (608) 825-7100 — accesscommunityhealthcenters.org. FQHC with full dental: exams, fillings, extractions, cleanings, root canals. Accesscommunityhealthcenters Medicaid accepted, sliding fee scale.

More Smiles Wisconsin — (608) 665-2752 — moresmileswi.org. Nonprofit offering general dentistry including exams, fillings, extractions, root canals. Accepts Medicaid, BadgerCare, and uninsured patients on sliding scale. Moresmileswi

Mercy Dental Missions — 1709 Aberg Ave., Madison, WI 53704 — (608) 622-4002 (English), (608) 622-0034 (Spanish) — mercydentalmissions.org. Bilingual nonprofit charging roughly 40–50% of standard fees. Mercydentalmissions Does not accept insurance. $25 appointment deposit. Mercydentalmissions

Perry Family Free Dental Clinic — 4619 Jenewein Dr., Madison, WI 53711 (inside Allied Family Center) — perryfamilyfreeclinic.org. Free cleanings, screenings, fluoride for uninsured and underinsured patients. Perryfamilyfreeclinic

Share a Smile Program — Madison area — shareasmilemadison.org. Free cleanings, exams, X-rays, fillings, extractions, and root canals one day per month (8am–1pm). Shareasmilemadison

Green Bay

N.E.W. Community Clinic — Downtown: 610 N. Broadway, Newcc (920) 437-9773; South Monroe Dental: 424 S. Monroe Ave., (920) 437-7206; Newcc also at NWTC campus — newcc.health. FQHC with comprehensive dental (exams, cleanings, fillings, extractions, root canals). Newcc Sliding fee scale; no one turned away for inability to pay. Newcc Mobile dental unit serves broader community. Newcc

Racine

Pillar Health Racine Clinic — 5201 Washington Ave., Suite A, Racine — (262) 656-0044 — pillarhealthcare.org. FQHC accepting Medicaid, BadgerCare, Medicare, and commercial insurance. Pillar Health Medical, dental, and behavioral health. Sliding fee scale.

Health Care Network, Inc. — Racine County — healthcarenetwork.org. Free or low-cost dental for uninsured Racine County residents with limited income. Volunteer dental professionals. Healthcarenetwork

Appleton

Partnership Community Health Center — 5337 W. Grande Market Dr., Appleton; Main: 119 N. McCarthy Rd., Suite S, Appleton, WI 54913 — (920) 731-7445 — partnershipchc.org. FQHC with full dental: exams, cleanings, fillings, crowns, partial dentures. Accepts BadgerCare Plus, sliding fee scale.

Kenosha

Kenosha Community Health Center / Pillar Health — 6226 14th Ave., Kenosha, WI 53143 Pillar Health — (262) 656-0044 — pillarhealthcare.org. Multiple locations across Kenosha County. Comprehensive dental for adults and children. Hours: Mon–Thu 7am–7pm, Fri 7am–5pm, Sat 7am–3pm. Freedental Accepts Medicaid, BadgerCare, Medicare, commercial plans. Sliding fee scale; no one turned away.

Oshkosh

Partnership Community Health Center – Oshkosh — 550 City Center, Oshkosh, WI 54901 Partnershipchc — (920) 731-7445 — partnershipchc.org. Dental services through the PCHC network. Medicaid accepted, sliding fee scale.

La Crosse

Scenic Bluffs Community Health Centers — 2030 7th St. S., La Crosse, WI 54601 — (608) 654-5100 — scenicbluffs.org. FQHC offering preventive, restorative, and urgent dental care: cleanings, fillings, extractions, root canals, dentures, crowns. One of few area providers accepting Medicaid. “Healthy Neighbor Plan” sliding fee scale. Serves Vernon, Crawford, Grant, Monroe, Sauk, and La Crosse counties.

7. Wisconsin-specific dental assistance programs beyond national ones

WDA Foundation charitable programs

Beyond DDS and Mission of Mercy, the WDA Foundation operates several programs. The Annual Grant Program awards funding to nonprofits improving oral health access — in April 2025, grants went to 10 Wisconsin organizations. Wda The Smile Grant Program provides toothbrushes and toothpaste Grants for Seniors (up to 288 per organization annually) to qualifying nonprofits; apply by emailing pyerke@wda.org. The WDA Dental Savings Club offers discounts at participating dentists for patients without insurance (wda.org/for-the-public/wda-dental-savings-club-(for-patients)).

Wisconsin DHS Oral Health Program grants

The state DHS awarded $5.1 million in grants (announced 2023) to 13 nonprofit dental clinics statewide, with annual awards of $1.7 million ranging from $59,000 to $150,000 per clinic. Wisconsin Department of Health Services These grants directly support clinics serving low-income, uninsured, and underinsured residents. Wisconsin Department of Health Services The state’s Oral Health Program maintains a searchable map of dental care resources Wisconsin Department of Health Services at dhs.wisconsin.gov/oral-health/find-dental-care.htm.

Wisconsin Seal-A-Smile

Administered by Children’s Health Alliance of Wisconsin in partnership with DHS and Delta Dental of Wisconsin, this program provides free school-based dental sealants, screenings, and fluoride varnish to children in nearly every Wisconsin county. Wisconsin Department of Health Services +3 Information at chawisconsin.org.

Give Kids a Smile

Wisconsin participates in the national ADA Foundation Give Kids a Smile program annually, with events kicking off the first Friday in February. National TodayAdafoundation Local dental offices, dental schools, and community organizations host events providing free dental care to underserved children. Total Care Dental MadisonDays Of The Year Contact gkas@ada.org National Today or the WDA at 800-364-7646.

County-level highlights

Milwaukee County has the densest network of dental safety-net providers, City of Racine including all five FQHCs listed above plus Marquette’s dental school and Bread of Healing’s free clinic. Dane County resources include Access Community Health Centers, More Smiles Wisconsin, Mercy Dental Missions, Perry Family Free Dental, and the Share a Smile program. Brown County relies primarily on N.E.W. Community Clinic’s three locations and NWTC’s dental clinics. FindHelp Racine County is served by Pillar Health and Health Care Network. Kenosha County has multiple Pillar Health/KCHC locations. Waukesha County is served by Sixteenth Street CHC’s outreach and the WCTC Dental Hygiene Clinic.

Wisconsin tribal dental programs

Wisconsin’s 11 federally recognized tribes operate dental clinics through Indian Health Service funding, primarily for tribal members but some are open to all Native Americans. Wisconsin Department of Health ServicesHIMSS Key clinics include Ho-Chunk Nation (Baraboo, 608-355-1240), Lac du Flambeau’s Peter Christensen Dental Campus (715-588-3303), Ldftribe Menominee Tribal Clinic (Keshena, 715-799-3361), Menominee Tribe Oneida Nation (Green Bay, 920-869-2711), Wisconsin Department of Health Services and St. Croix Tribal Dental Clinic (Webster, 715-349-8554). Stcroixojibwe-nsn The Great Lakes Inter-Tribal Council coordinates health services: HIMSS 715-588-3324. Wisconsin Department of Health Services Tribal health contact list at dhs.wisconsin.gov/tribal-affairs/contacts.htm.

8. The truth about Cosmetic Dental Grants in Wisconsin

The Cosmetic Dentistry Grants (CDG) program, operated by Oral Aesthetic Advocacy Group Inc. out of Ontario, Canada, claims to offer grants for cosmetic dental work including veneers, implants, and whitening. It is technically available in Wisconsin. However, CDG is a dental referral marketing program, not a legitimate charitable grant. lowincomerelief

CDG’s own materials acknowledge that affiliated dentists pay a referral fee for each patient sent their way — the “grants” are funded by these fees, not charitable donations. lowincomereliefCosmeticdentistrygrants There are no income or need requirements; CDG explicitly states socioeconomic background does not matter. lowincomereliefLow Income Relief Multiple independent investigations reveal a consistent pattern: CDG-affiliated dentists quote significantly inflated prices, then apply the “grant” discount, resulting in patients paying the same or more than at non-CDG dentists. lowincomereliefLow Income Relief The program carries a 1.1-star rating on ComplaintsBoard.com from 29 complaints, ComplaintsBoard has not been BBB-accredited, Better Business Bureau and was assessed by Low Income Relief’s investigative report as “an elaborate scam designed to prey on desperate people who need expensive dental care.” lowincomerelief

Better alternatives for Wisconsin residents needing cosmetic or restorative work include Marquette’s dental school (33–50% savings), FQHC sliding-fee clinics, BadgerCare Plus coverage for crowns and dentures, and the DDS program for eligible individuals.

9. Dental implant clinical trials at Wisconsin institutions

Marquette University is Wisconsin’s primary hub for dental implant research. Active and recent studies include Dr. Arndt Guentsch’s guided implant surgery study with Straumann Dental Implants, Marquette University bone augmentation and implant success research published April 2025 in Clinical Implant Dentistry and Related Research, PubMed Central Dr. Zaid Badr’s Marquette University $70,000 Straumann-funded fellowship for implant and CAD/CAM research, Marquette University and Dr. Soni Prasad’s systematic reviews as Director of the Pre-Doctoral Implant Program. PubMed

No Wisconsin-specific dental implant trials were listed as actively recruiting on ClinicalTrials.gov at time of research, though several nationally recruiting studies (including trials of TSX, T3 Pro, and immediate-restoration implant systems) may enroll Wisconsin participants. Patients in clinical trials typically receive free implants, examinations, CBCT imaging, and follow-up care, What is Cosopt? with some studies offering additional monetary compensation. Authority Dental Follow-up generally spans 1–2 years.

To find current opportunities, contact Marquette’s research office at (414) 288-6790 or visit marquette.edu/dentistry/research/, search ClinicalTrials.gov filtered to Wisconsin, or check the NIDCR clinical trials page at nidcr.nih.gov/research/clinical-trials. National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research.

Conclusion: navigating Wisconsin’s dental safety net

Wisconsin’s dental assistance landscape is stronger than most states but still leaves significant gaps. BadgerCare Plus is the single most valuable resource, extensive adult dental Medicare Resources with no annual maximum HealthInsurance.org Redent Klinik and a straightforward application at access.wi.gov. For those who don’t qualify for Medicaid, the FQHC network (at least 14 health centers with dental across the state) offers sliding-fee care with no one turned away. Wisconsin Department of Health ServicesUnitedHealthcare Community Plan Marquette’s dental school provides full-service dentistry at roughly half the cost of private practice.

The DDS program offers genuinely free comprehensive care but faces year-plus waitlists. Wisconsin Department of Health Services Wda. The biennial Mission of Mercy serves hundreds of patients in two days but occurs only in odd years. Weston, WI Wisconsin residents should be cautious of the CDG “grant” program, which investigations have exposed as a referral marketing scheme rather than genuine financial assistance. lowincomerelief The most reliable path to affordable dental care in Wisconsin runs through BadgerCare enrollment, FQHC visits, and Marquette’s clinics — in that order of financial benefit.

See Also

Dental Grants in North Dakota