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Dental treatment costs can sometimes feel uncertain. Many patients ask this question before booking an appointment:
“Is there any subsidy I can use?”
In Singapore, the Community Health Assist Scheme (CHAS) was created to make everyday medical and dental care more affordable at private clinics. Instead of limiting subsidies to public institutions, CHAS allows eligible Singapore Citizens to receive government support even when visiting participating neighbourhood or private dental clinics.
Dental Designs Clinic is accredited under both CHAS and MediSave, ensuring patients receive accessible dental care.
Here’s what you need to know about how CHAS works for dental treatment.
What is CHAS?
The Community Health Assist Scheme (CHAS) is a government initiative in Singapore that makes healthcare more affordable for eligible Singaporeans. Through CHAS, you can receive subsidies for a variety of medical and dental treatments at participating clinics, helping to lower your out-of-pocket costs.
For dental care, CHAS covers basic and preventive treatments like dental checkups, scaling and polishing, dental fillings, and tooth extractions. Seniors under the Pioneer Generation (PG) or Merdeka Generation (MG) schemes can receive enhanced subsidies, while families with lower to middle incomes can benefit from Blue or Orange CHAS card tiers, which determine how much subsidy they can claim.
In short, CHAS helps Singaporeans manage healthcare expenses, making it easier for everyone to access the dental and medical care they need with less financial stress.
What dental treatments are covered under CHAS?
CHAS provides subsidies for essential dental treatments, including:
✅ Dental fillings
✅ Tooth extractions (non-surgical)
✅ Dentures
✅ Root canal treatment
These are treatments that help:
- Remove decay
- Prevent infection
- Maintain chewing ability
- Preserve natural teeth
- Improve daily comfort
CHAS focuses on medically necessary dental care, not cosmetic procedures.
How much subsidy can you receive?
The subsidy amount depends on:
- Your CHAS card colour (Blue, Orange, or Green)
- The type of dental treatment (e.g., scaling, fillings, root canal, or crowns)
- Whether you are a Pioneer or Merdeka Generation senior
In general:
- Blue and Orange cardholders receive higher subsidies
- Green cardholders receive lower but still helpful subsidies
- Pioneer Generation seniors enjoy the highest level of support
The exact subsidy is deducted directly at the clinic, and you only pay the remaining cost for your dental treatment.
In October 2025, the Ministry of Health (MOH) implemented several significant improvements to CHAS dental subsidies.
Click here to find out more about enhanced subsidy improvements.
A) More Subsidies for More People
- CHAS Orange cardholders can now receive subsidies for up to ten basic and preventive dental procedures (e.g., scaling and polishing), which were previously mostly available only to higher-tier cardholders.
- Subsidy amounts for restorative treatments (e.g., root canal treatment, dentures, and dental crowns were also increased for all CHAS, MG, and PG cardholders.
B) Flexi-MediSave Support (From Mid-2026)
- Seniors aged 60 and above can use Flexi-MediSave to offset up to $400 per year for eligible treatments like root canal work and permanent crowns. Read about Flexi-MediSave.
|
Dental Services |
Maximum Subsidy Amount per Claim (SGD $) |
|||
|
PG |
MG |
CHAS Blue |
[New] CHAS Orange |
|
|
Consultation |
30.50 |
25.50 |
20.50 |
13.50 |
|
Polishing |
30.50 |
25.50 |
20.50 |
13.50 |
|
Scaling |
40.00 |
35.00 |
30.00 |
20.00 |
|
Topical Fluoride |
30.50 |
25.50 |
20.50 |
13.50 |
|
X-Ray |
21.00 |
16.00 |
11.00 |
7.50 |
|
Extraction, Anterior |
38.50 |
33.50 |
28.50 |
19.00 |
|
Extraction, Posterior |
78.50 |
73.50 |
68.50 |
45.50 |
|
Filling, Complex |
60.00 |
55.00 |
50.00 |
33.50 |
|
Filling, Simple |
40.00 |
35.00 |
30.00 |
20.00 |
|
Re-cementation |
45.00 |
40.00 |
35.00 |
23.50 |
|
Dental Services |
Maximum Subsidy Amount per Claim (SGD $) |
|||
|
PG |
MG |
CHAS Blue |
CHAS Orange |
|
|
Denture Reline/Repair |
[no change] 85.00 |
[no change] 80.00 |
[no change] 75.00 |
[no change] 50.00 |
|
Permanent Crown |
625.00 |
620.00 |
615.00 |
410.00 |
|
Removable Denture, Complete |
418.50 |
413.50 |
408.50 |
272.50 |
|
Removable Denture, Partial, Complex |
395.50 |
390.50 |
385.50 |
257.00 |
|
Removable Denture, Partial, Simple |
314.00 |
309.00 |
304.00 |
202.50 |
|
Root Canal Treatment (Anterior) |
336.00 |
331.00 |
326.00 |
217.50 |
|
Root Canal Treatment (Molar) |
594.50 |
589.50 |
584.50 |
389.50 |
|
Root Canal Treatment (Pre-molar) |
472.50 |
467.50 |
462.50 |
308.50 |
*The tables above were sourced from the Ministry of Health (MOH) website, as of 1 September 2025. Information is provided for reference only and may be subject to updates. Please refer to the official MOH website for the most current details.
Tips for CHAS Dental Visits
- Discuss estimated costs with your dental clinic before treatment starts.
- Know your claim limits (e.g., frequency and caps for dental services, such as scaling and polishing).
- Check your subsidy balance on the MY CHAS portal using Singpass.
How to Use CHAS for Dental Treatment
1) Check Your Eligibility
To use CHAS subsidies for dental care, you’ll need a valid CHAS, PG, or MG card. You can apply or renew your card easily through the official CHAS portal using Singpass. It’s also a good idea to check your subsidy balance before booking your appointment, so you know what support you’re entitled to.
2) Book an appointment at a participating CHAS dental clinic
Dental Designs Clinic is a CHAS-accredited clinic with 3 convenient branches in the heart of Singapore (Telok Ayer, Raffles Place, Orchard). Only visits to participating clinics qualify for CHAS subsidies. When you book your appointment, please let us know that you’d like to use your CHAS subsidy for your treatment.
View our team of doctors here!
3) Bring your ID to your appointment
Please do remember to bring your NRIC during your dental appointment. This allows our team to verify your eligibility and submit the claim smoothly on your behalf. You may then proceed to see your doctor for your dental visit.
4) Clear and Transparent Billing
Once your CHAS subsidy is applied, you’ll only need to pay the remaining balance. Our friendly front desk team will guide you through the payment and let you know what’s payable, making the process simple and stress-free.
Related Articles
- Can I use MediSave for dental treatment in Singapore?
- Can MediSave Be Used For Root Canal Treatment?
- Invisalign Singapore Medisave Dentist Guide: What’s Claimable?
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
1. Do I need to bring my CHAS card?
Digital verification is usually sufficient. However, it is helpful to inform the clinic in advance when booking your appointment so we can prepare accordingly.
2. Is CHAS only for seniors?
No. CHAS is not age-based. Eligibility depends mainly on household income and housing type. However, Pioneer and Merdeka Generation are for seniors and they receive enhanced benefits.
3. Does CHAS make dental treatment free?
No, CHAS helps offset part of the cost but there is typically some out-of-pocket payment required.
4. Can Permanent Residents use CHAS?
No. CHAS is only available to Singapore Citizens.
5. Can CHAS Be Used Together With MediSave?
Yes, but only in certain situations.
Standard MediSave can only be used for surgical dental procedures, so it cannot be combined with CHAS-approved procedures like root canals or crowns, as they do not involve surgery.
However, starting mid-2026, seniors aged 60 and above will receive additional financial support for non-surgical and essential restorative dental treatments such as root canal treatment (RCT) and dental crowns. They will be able to use Flexi-MediSave (up to $400 per year) to pay for the portion not covered by CHAS, making these treatments more affordable. Find out more about Flexi-MediSave here.
It’s always a good idea to confirm with your dental clinic beforehand to see how CHAS and Flexi-MediSave can work together for your treatment.
6. Why Choose a CHAS-Accredited Clinic?
Visiting a CHAS-accredited clinic ensures that your subsidies are automatically applied at the point of payment. Our team handles the claim submission for you, making the process seamless and transparent.
Conclusion
CHAS plays an important role in making essential dental care more affordable for eligible Singaporeans. By providing direct subsidies for preventive and restorative treatments, it helps reduce out-of-pocket costs and makes regular dental care more accessible for everyone.
As a CHAS- and MediSave-accredited clinic, Dental Designs Clinic is here to help patients understand their available subsidies and benefits. If you’re unsure about your eligibility or subsidy amount, our team is happy to guide you through the process. Do leave us a message here if you have any questions or would like to book an appointment.