AUBURN – Starting April 1, low-income families will have a local place to get free dental care for their children.

Maine Oral Health Solutions, which runs the MaineSmiles and EarlySmiles School Based Dental Program, has announced plans to open a pediatric dental clinic on South Main Street in Auburn.

Called the Western Maine Children’s Dental Center, it will serve children who participate in MaineCare, who are eligible for free or reduced school lunch or whose parents simply can’t afford – or can’t find – other dental care nearby.

When partnered with the school-based programs, the clinic expects to serve about 3,000 children

Finding affordable dental care has been a challenge in Maine for years, especially for low-income families. The state has a shortage of dentists, leading to long waits for appointments. Even when they find a dentist, some patients can’t afford to go regularly. That lack of care can lead to tooth decay and bad oral health.

Many Maine dentists have tried to help. Seventy-eight percent of Maine Dental Association members offered some assistance to low-income patients last year, according to Executive Director Frances Miliano. Some provided care for elderly or disabled Mainers. Others volunteered their time for schoolchildren.

Robert Limoges, an Auburn dentist, opens his practice once a year to anyone who needs free dental help. This year, that free day was Feb. 9.

The line was out the door.

Limoges treated 65 patients with cavities, damaged teeth and other problems. He had to turn away 40.

Next year, he hopes to involve other area dentists.

“I think the need is there,” he said.

Maine Oral Health Solutions believes the need is there, too. The Auburn clinic is its third. The others are in Augusta and Belfast.

The Western Maine Children’s Dental Center will be located at 11 South Main St., close to the intersection with Mill Street and the site of the former Tri-County Dental Clinic. It is accepting new patients from 1 to 20 years old, and is scheduling appointments now. For more information, call 784-2300.