1. CHAS — More Than Just Cheaper Check-Ups
Most people know the Community Health Assist Scheme (CHAS) gives subsidised dental care at participating clinics. What is less well known is how far it stretches: CHAS covers consultations, fillings, extractions, dentures and more, with subsidy amounts that vary by card tier (Green, Orange, Blue). At Trust Dental, scaling and polishing starts from $85, with CHAS subsidies of up to $40 off for eligible cardholders. Our CHAS dental subsidy guide breaks down every covered treatment, and our tips on maximising your CHAS benefits show how to plan visits around your entitlements.
2. Pioneer & Merdeka Generation Top-Ups
If you or your parents hold a Pioneer Generation or Merdeka Generation card, the subsidies go beyond standard CHAS rates. Pioneer Generation cardholders receive the highest amounts — for example, up to $418.50 off complete dentures and up to $395.50 off complex partial dentures. Many seniors are unaware they are leaving this money unclaimed. See our full guide to Pioneer Generation dental benefits.
3. Medisave for Surgical Procedures
Medisave cannot pay for fillings or routine cleanings, but it covers a lot of the big-ticket surgical work:
- Dental implants — claimable up to $1,950 per implant. An Osstem implant at Trust Dental is $2,449 total, or just $499 after Medisave.
- Surgical wisdom tooth removal — fully Medisave claimable. Most patients pay $0 cash, with the surgery fee (from $1,350) paid from their Medisave account.
- Gum surgery — from $500, Medisave claimable.
- Bone grafts — $1,950, payable in full using Medisave when done as a standalone surgery.
Our guide to Medisave dental treatments covers the fine print, including who can use whose Medisave (you can pay from an immediate family member's account too).
4. Flexi-MediSave for Seniors Aged 60+
Singaporeans aged 60 and above can use up to $200 per year from Medisave for outpatient treatments — including some dental procedures that regular Medisave will not cover, such as root canal treatment, dentures and simple extractions. The $200 is shared across all outpatient care, so it pays to plan claims with your dentist.
5. The School Dental Service for Children
Parents often overlook that the Health Promotion Board's School Dental Service provides free basic dental care for primary and secondary school students at school dental clinics. It is a solid safety net for check-ups and simple treatment — and for anything beyond the basics, or for children who feel anxious in a school setting, a family dentist can pick up where it leaves off.
How to Use These Schemes Well
The schemes stack better than most people expect: a senior with a Merdeka Generation card can enjoy enhanced CHAS rates on outpatient work, pay for gum surgery with Medisave, and use Flexi-MediSave toward a root canal in the same year. Bring your cards to your visit — at Trust Dental we check your eligibility, apply every subsidy you qualify for, and give you an itemised quote before treatment begins.
