Who is Eligible?
Children from birth to age 18 and pregnant women can receive dental care from Children's Dental Services (CDS) without regard to income, race, color, creed, religion, national origin, gender, affectional preference, disability, age, marital status, public assistance status or ex-offender status.  All forms of state and private insurance are accepted here at our clinics. Children from age 18 to 21 can receive care if they are insured.

As a Medical Assistance Regional Center, CDS staff provide targeted assistance to families without dental insurance to help them apply for Medical Assistance, MinnesotaCare, Assured Access, or CDS' Sliding Scale discount program.  Targeted assistance is available in 15 different languages.

To determine eligibility for free care or care on a sliding scale, a parent or guardian provides CDS proof of income and fills out CDS Sliding Scale paperwork. CDS can arrange flexible payment plans with families while their application is being processed. No patient is ever turned away from CDS clinics based on inability to pay.

CDS makes every effort to see children with painful emergency dental problems within 24 to 48 hours.  Children with emergent dental problems are often seen the same day without waiting to determine if they are financially eligible.