Best Dental Insurance in Singapore 2023

If you need a reputable and trusted dental insurance plan in Singapore, we have you covered. Dental procedures in Singapore can be costly, so it's a good idea to get dental insurance to offset these costs.

dental insurance singapore

The cost of private dental treatment in Singapore

Public dental facilities in Singapore are modern and of a very high standard, but most expats prefer private dental clinics because of the added value benefits they provide, such as the superior quality of service and shorter waiting times for specialist treatment. Fees charged at these facilities do come with a steep price tag, and uninsured patients could easily be charged astronomically high out-of-pocket fees.

Dental fees will vary depending on the type of treatment you require and the clinic you choose to visit. For an informative overview on the range of fees charged for dental procedures, you can visit the Ministry of Health website for further information or contact the dental clinic directly. Here are the range of costs for some of the main types of dental procedures provided by private clinics:
  • Impacted wisdom tooth surgery (per tooth): $400 - $2,140
  • Root canal treatment (per molar tooth): $400 - $1,605
  • Single unit crowns: $400 - $2,140
  • Implants (per unit): $2,000 - $4,815
  • Braces (non-surgical): $2,000 - $10,700

Types of dental coverage available

Most major insurers will offer dental coverage, which is usually purchased as an add-on benefit on top of a local or international health insurance plan. Insurers tend to refer to this add-on dental benefit as a rider, and this will be charged with an additional premium, the cost of which will differ depending on the dental coverage limits on the plan (e.g. payout limit or limit on number of visits), the insurance provider used, etc.

In some cases, dental insurance can also be purchased as a standalone plan comprised mainly of dental benefits. Some employers will also provide dental coverage for employees, but the coverage limits on these plans are typically quite low.

There are two main levels of dental coverage: Routine Dental Treatment and Major Dental Treatment.  The ideal option for you will depend on your specific requirements, such as the condition of your dental health. It’s always important to be aware of what procedures are covered by your dental plan to avoid the risk of your claims being rejected from not having read through the fine print on your policy thoroughly.

Routine Dental Treatment

The Routine Dental Treatment coverage option will cover more common forms of treatment, such as consultations, check-ups, tooth cleaning, x-rays, fillings, root canal treatment and emergency dental treatment. The rates charged for this level of dental coverage tend to be lower than Major Dental Treatment, simply because these treatments are usually cheaper.

Major Dental Treatment

Major Dental Treatment will come with higher premiums than Routine Dental Treatment coverage, because it covers more expensive types of dental procedures, such as periodontitis treatment, root scaling, membrane treatment, temporary crowns, bridgework, gingivitis treatment, and orthodontic work. The Major Dental Treatment benefit will come with higher coverage limits.

Cosmetic dental procedures are not usually covered

Most dental insurance plans will not cover cosmetic work like tooth whitening or gum contouring. Braces for slightly crooked teeth will also be considered a cosmetic treatment, and usually orthodontic work will only be covered if it is considered medically necessary. Some plans however do offer discounts on certain cosmetic procedures, so it really depends on the plan and the benefits listed in the coverage documentation.

There will be a waiting period

Most dental plans will impose a probationary period, meaning that for a set period of time when you first purchase your dental policy, you won’t be covered for any dental costs and you will likely have little to no benefits. Waiting periods will vary, but usually the typical waiting period lasts about 10 - 12 months. The waiting period exists because it prevents insurers from the risk of having to pay for dental treatment that you know you will need straight away as soon as you have purchased your dental plan.

Check the preferred network of providers

Another thing to watch out for is your dental plan’s preferred network of providers. If you’re already registered at a dental practice and this practice is not included in your plan’s preferred network, then your dental costs at this clinic will likely not be covered. If that’s the case, you may want to shop around for a plan that will include your preferred dental clinic in its in-network, or find another dental practice that is covered by your plan.

With so many things to consider and watch out for, it can be daunting to shop around for a dental plan that covers your requirements. 

Best Dental Insurance Singapore

Although information is everywhere on the internet, we have compiled a few insurance companies offering dental insurance in one place. 

Here is the list:

Chubb Dental Insurance Singapore

Regular dental check-ups can prevent serious issues from occurring. To help you manage the high cost of dental bills, Chubb Dental Care Plus™ offers comprehensive coverage for dental treatments and check-ups. With preferential rates on a wide range of treatments and coverage for a variety of treatments, Chubb can take care of your needs for less than $0.82 a day.

Eligibility: The Insured must be between the age of 18 and 60 on the policy commencement date; renewable up to 65 years old.

Benefits

  • Up to 80% coverage (Deluxe) and up to 100% coverage (Premier) on emergency dental treatments, routine preventive treatments and X-rays at our network of clinics 
  • Up to $150 dental vouchers with every 2 years of continuous coverage 
  • Up to 25% savings on dental treatments for up to 4 nominated family members at our network of clinics 
  • Convenient access to a wide network of dental clinics 
Source: https://www.chubb.com/sg-en/personal/dental-insurance.aspx

DBS Dental Insurance

This particular dental insurance scheme offered by DBS is an MSIG Insurance underwritten policy, which allows you to avail the medical clinics that are approved and recognised under the plan without any cost. You can also enjoy the twenty four hour hotline service in case of any dental problems.

Eligibility for Dental Insurance
All citizens and residents of Singapore who are DBS customers and fall between the age group of 18 years to 60 years can apply for the insurance scheme. You can also apply for this insurance scheme along with your spouse.

Features and Benefits of DBS Dental Insurance
Avail dental radiology, preventive checks, root canal treatment at clinics all across the island.
The coverage limit that you can enjoy with this plan is as high as SGD 2,000 per annum
If you go to any of the approved clinics, you will not have to pay any charges. However, the 
preferential rates are not covered under the Dental Insurance scheme.

Premiums to be Paid
Premium (on a monthly basis): SGD 19.90 (Classic),  SGD 29.90 (Platinum), SGD 39.90 (VIP).
Premium (on a yearly basis): SGD 238.80 (Classic), SGD 358.80 (Platinum), SGD 478.80 (VIP).

Ref: https://www.bankbazaar.sg

Check out a sample of the dental insurance policy from MSIG, here.

Pacific Prime Dental Insurance Singapore

Insufficient dental cover can prove to be very expensive as the cost of dental treatment in Singapore is high. Some employers do offer a dental cover plan to their employees, but this is usually to a very low level.

Insurance companies normally offer two levels of dental plan cover:

Routine Dental Treatment

Dental cover under this option includes:

  • Consultations& Examinations
  • Tooth Cleaning
  • X-rays
  • Local anesthesia
  • Simple Fillings
  • Root Canal Treatment
  • Emergency Treatment
  • Occlusion bar
Major Dental Treatment

Almost all major dental problems are covered under this option, including but not limited to, the following treatments:

  • Tooth Adjustment
  • Periondontitis Treatment
  • Gingivitis Treatment
  • Bridgework and Repairs
  • Temporary Crowns, Porcelain Crowns and Gold Jackets
  • Membrane Treatment
  • Root Scaling
More details: https://www.pacificprime.com/health-insurance-plans/dental/

Community Health Assist Scheme

The Community Health Assist Scheme (CHAS) enables Singapore Citizens from lower- and middle-income households to receive subsidies for medical and dental care at participating General Practitioners (GPs) and dental clinics near their home.

To qualify for CHAS, applicants must be Singapore Citizens and meet the following criteria: 
  • For households with income, the household monthly income per person must be $1,800 and below. 
  • For households with no income, the Annual Value (AV) of home must be $21,000 and below. 
Household monthly income per person is the total gross household monthly income divided by total number of family members living together. Gross monthly income refers to your basic income, overtime pay, allowances, cash awards, commissions and bonuses. 

The AV of your home is the estimated annual rent if it is rented out. It is assessed by IRAS. An AV up to $21,000 covers all HDB flats and some lower-value private residences.

Singapore Citizens who have the Public Assistance (PA) card do not need to apply for CHAS, as they can already receive full CHAS subsidies by showing the PA card.


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