Can I use CHAS at any dental clinic?

No. CHAS subsidies can only be used at CHAS-accredited dental clinics. Not all dental clinics in Singapore participate in the scheme. Trust Dental Surgery is a CHAS-accredited clinic with locations in Jurong West and Clementi. You can check the full list of participating clinics on the CHAS website at chas.sg.

How often can I use CHAS for scaling?

CHAS subsidies for scaling and polishing can generally be used once per year per participating clinic. However, the exact frequency may depend on your card tier and clinical needs. Regular scaling every 6 months is recommended for good oral health — your first visit each year can be subsidised under CHAS.

Can I combine CHAS with insurance?

Yes. If you have private dental insurance or an employer dental benefits plan, you can use CHAS subsidies first and then claim the remaining balance from your insurance. The two schemes work independently. However, you should check with your insurance provider on their specific claim process and whether they require the original receipt or a copy.

Do CHAS benefits expire?

CHAS cards have an expiry date printed on them, typically valid for a few years. You will need to renew your card before it expires to continue receiving subsidies. Pioneer Generation and Merdeka Generation cards do not expire. If your household income changes, your tier may be reassessed during renewal.

How to Maximise Your CHAS Dental Benefits

If you hold a CHAS card, you are already entitled to subsidised dental care at participating clinics across Singapore. But are you truly making the most of your benefits? Many patients leave money on the table simply because they do not fully understand what is covered, how often they can claim, or how to combine CHAS with other schemes like Medisave. In this guide, we share practical tips to help you maximise your CHAS dental benefits and keep your dental costs as low as possible.

1. Schedule Regular Scaling Appointments

One of the simplest ways to use your CHAS benefits is for scaling and polishing. This routine cleaning removes plaque and tartar buildup, helping to prevent gum disease and tooth decay. At Trust Dental Surgery, scaling and polishing starts from $85 (before GST).

With CHAS, you can receive a subsidy of up to $40 (Pioneer/Merdeka Generation), $30 (CHAS Blue), or $20 (CHAS Orange) per scaling visit. That means a CHAS Blue cardholder could pay as little as $55 for a professional dental cleaning.

Tip: Do not skip your regular scaling appointments. Preventing dental problems through routine cleaning is far cheaper than treating advanced gum disease, which may require gum surgery (from $500 at Trust Dental, before GST) or tooth extractions down the line.

2. Understand Your CHAS Tier

Not all CHAS cards are the same. Your subsidy amounts depend on your card tier:

Pioneer Generation and Merdeka Generation — Receive the highest subsidies across all treatments. For example, up to $594.50 for a molar root canal and up to $625 for a permanent crown.
CHAS Blue — Strong subsidies for most treatments. Up to $584.50 for a molar root canal and up to $615 for a permanent crown.
CHAS Orange — Moderate subsidies. Up to $389.50 for a molar root canal and up to $410 for a permanent crown.

If you are unsure which tier you belong to, check the colour of your CHAS card or log in to the CHAS website at chas.sg with your SingPass. Understanding your tier helps you plan treatments and budget accordingly.

3. Combine CHAS with Medisave for Surgical Procedures

CHAS covers basic dental treatments like scaling, fillings, and extractions. But for surgical procedures, Medisave is your best friend. Here is how the two schemes can work together:

Wisdom tooth surgery — 100% Medisave claimable up to $1,250 per tooth. CHAS can cover the consultation or any related non-surgical treatments.
Dental implants — Medisave claimable up to $1,950 per implant. At Trust Dental, Osstem implants are $2,449 total — just $499 after Medisave. CHAS does not cover implants, but it can subsidise the consultation and any preliminary work.
Gum surgery — Medisave claimable. Starts from $500 at Trust Dental (before GST). CHAS may cover related treatments like scaling.
Root canal treatment — Patients aged 60 and above can use Flexi-MediSave ($200/year) for root canal treatment. CHAS provides substantial subsidies for root canals — up to $594.50 for a molar root canal (Pioneer/Merdeka).

The key principle: CHAS covers the basic treatment, Medisave covers the surgical component. They cannot be applied to the same line item, but they can cover different parts of your overall treatment plan.

4. Know What Is Covered vs. What Is Not

A common mistake is assuming CHAS covers everything. It does not. Here is a quick reference:

Covered by CHAS	NOT Covered by CHAS
Scaling and polishing	Dental implants
Simple fillings	Cosmetic procedures (whitening, veneers)
Tooth extractions	Orthodontics (braces, Invisalign)
Root canal treatment	Wisdom tooth surgery (use Medisave instead)
Permanent crowns	Gum surgery (use Medisave instead)
Complete dentures	Teeth whitening

Knowing the boundaries upfront helps you avoid surprises and plan your finances better.

5. Plan Treatments Strategically

If you need multiple dental treatments, planning them strategically can help you make the most of your subsidies:

Prioritise subsidised treatments first — If you need both scaling and a cosmetic procedure, do the scaling first to use your CHAS subsidy.
Spread treatments across visits — Some CHAS subsidies are per-visit or per-year. Spacing out treatments can help you claim more subsidies over time.
Address problems early — A small filling today (subsidised under CHAS) is far cheaper than a root canal or extraction later. Do not delay treatment to save money in the short term — it usually costs more in the long run.
Discuss with your dentist — At Trust Dental Surgery, our dentists can help you create a treatment plan that maximises your CHAS and Medisave benefits.

6. Use Pioneer and Merdeka Generation Benefits If Eligible

If you or a family member qualifies as a Pioneer or Merdeka Generation cardholder, the dental subsidies are significantly higher. For example:

Scaling subsidy: up to $40 (vs. $30 for CHAS Blue and $20 for CHAS Orange)
Molar root canal subsidy: up to $594.50 (vs. $584.50 for CHAS Blue)
Permanent crown subsidy: up to $625 (vs. $615 for CHAS Blue)
Complete denture subsidy: up to $418.50 (vs. $408.50 for CHAS Blue)

Pioneer and Merdeka Generation cards do not expire and do not require renewal. If you hold one, make sure you are using it for every eligible dental visit.

7. Common Mistakes to Avoid

Here are some common mistakes patients make with their CHAS dental benefits:

Forgetting to bring your CHAS card — The subsidy can only be applied if you present your card at the clinic. Bring it to every visit.
Visiting non-participating clinics — Not all dental clinics accept CHAS. Always confirm that your clinic is CHAS-accredited. Trust Dental Surgery is a CHAS-accredited clinic.
Letting your card expire — CHAS Blue and Orange cards have expiry dates. Renew your card before it lapses to avoid gaps in coverage.
Not asking about subsidies — Some patients feel embarrassed to ask. Do not be. Our staff at Trust Dental will proactively check your eligibility and apply your subsidies.
Skipping preventive care — Not using your scaling subsidy each year is like throwing money away. Prevention saves you far more than treatment.

How Trust Dental Helps You Navigate Subsidies

At Trust Dental Surgery, we understand that navigating CHAS, Medisave, and other subsidy schemes can be confusing. That is why our front desk team is trained to help you:

Verify your CHAS eligibility at the point of registration.
Apply subsidies automatically so you only pay the balance.
Advise on Medisave claims for surgical procedures like wisdom tooth extractions, dental implants, and gum surgery.
Create treatment plans that maximise your benefits across multiple visits.

Both our Jurong West and Clementi clinics are CHAS-accredited and open evenings on weekdays for your convenience.