Dental

Our Services

The Berkeley Free Clinic Dental Section provides free dental care to the local community for adults and children. Our goal is to provide a dental home for all people who use our services and may not be able to afford or lack access to quality dental care. People do not need to qualify for our services, insurance is not required, and anyone is welcome to partipate. If you are new to the dental section, please refer to the new client intake system, also known as our dental lottery.

Services Provided

  • Dental Examination and Check-Ups
  • Dental Cleanings
  • X-ray services
  • Fillings
    • Plastic/Composite
    • Metal/Amalgam
  • Extractions

Services NOT Provided

  • Emergency Services (please call Highland Hospital for emergency dental care at (510) 437-4473)
  • Cosmetic Dentistry (veneers, whitening, etc)
  • Prosthetic Dental Appliances (dentures, removable partial dentures, repair of dentures, etc)
  • Crowns
  • Surgical Dentistry (implants, surgical extractions)
  • Dental Specialties (orthodontics, periodontics, endodontics, oral pathology, oral surgery)

For information about other resources in the Bay Area that may be able to provide some of these services, please see our Resources page

 

If you are a dental professional and can help us make a difference in the community, please contact us directly and see how you can contribute.

New Client Intake/Lottery

First-time clients must go through the lottery*: You must to put your name into the lottery jar at the front desk before dental clinic starts. We do not operate on a first-come, first-serve basis. There is no guarantee that you will be seen, but there is a chance. When you are chosen, you will be given a dental exam. After this first time, we will schedule you an appointment as necessary without having to go through the lottery.

Please check the schedule for dates we are holding the lottery.

NOTE: The times in the schedule are when the lottery registration closes (generally 6pm). You must fill out a lottery ticket with your name before the time indicated. There is no advantage in being early, but it is important to be on time. We are not an emergency dental clinic. Clients are first given an exam and then scheduled a future appointment for any work to be done. (Please call Highland Hospital Dental Clinic for emergency dental care, (510) 437-4473)

 

 

*It is often impossible to see all the people who have registered for the lottery. The dental staff pulls out only as many names as they expect to be able to handle that evening. Occasionally, we do tell people to come back the next open day. We understand that everyone who comes to our clinic is in need of some dental care. This is "the luck of the draw" and is the only way that is practical to manage things at present. Also, even though you may know what procedure must be done, we still must take x-rays and do a proper exam before advising treatment.

Hours of Operation

Below is the calendar for the days and hours of operation of the Berkeley Free Clinic Dental Section. To become a new client of the dental section, please come to the dates marked with "Lottery." Dates marked with "Lottery" are the only days we take in new clients. All other nights that we are open, are by appointment only.  Information about how to become a new client is available above. Clients who are already participating in our system should call to make an appointment.