Guide to Dental Care in Singapore

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Guide to Dental Care in Singapore

Singapore is considered as one of the world's top medical travel destinations; it was ranked the best healthcare system in Asia and the World Health Organization ranked Singapore as the sixth best in the world in its World Health Report 2000.

This reputation also extends to its dental care. The city's dental clinics, particularly, those in the Orchard Road shopping belt, have attracted dental tourists from neighbouring countries such as Malaysia and Indonesia for several decades. Information available on the Internet, budget air travel and a greater awareness of medical tourism has led to increased interest from potential patients in Australia, USA, Canada, Bangladesh, Russia, and the UK in combining dental services with a vacation in Singapore.

Singapore Medicine is the Singapore government's marketing arm for promoting Singapore as a medical hub and world class provider of healthcare in Asia. It has recently launched the second edition of the book, Patients Beyond Borders: Singapore which showcases healthcare providers and dental clinics serving international patients.

Specialised Dental Services

As of 31 December 2006, there were 1,376 registered dentists in Singapore. Approximately 25 percent of dentists in Singapore have undergone some form of specialist training, but until recently, there was no formal method of assessing those who had the qualifications and expertise to be recognised as dental specialists.

After public consultation in 2004, the Singapore Ministry of Health established a Dental Specialists Register as of 1 January 2008 and set up the Dental Specialists Accreditation Board (DSAB) to administer the criteria for dental specialist registration. This move upgrades the overall level of dentistry in Singapore and also protects the public such that only dentists who are properly qualified can operate as specialists in a particular discipline.

There are currently six dental specialty areas recognised by the Dental Specialists Accreditation Board:

• endodontics (root canal treatment)
• oral and maxillofacial surgery (oral and jaw surgery)
• pediatric dentistry (children's dentistry)
• periodontics (gum treatment and surgery)
• prosthodontics (teeth replacement)

Specialist dentists are those who have undergone additional academic and clinical training in a specific specialty area at an accredited dental institution, either locally or abroad. Some specialists also take additional professional examinations on completion of their specialty training (such as specialty board examinations) or apply for fellowships conferred by the relevant professional specialty body to achieve peer recognition for their area of specialisation.

Prospective patients, especially those who are considering major dental procedures such as dental implants, can find out about the qualifications of their dentist on the Singapore Dental Council website. This website lists information on the qualifications of the dentist, their area of specialty (if any), practice name and contact information.

A referral from a dental general practitioner is not necessary in Singapore, and patients may contact specialist clinics directly to arrange for an appointment.

Dental Care in Singapore

There are a wide range of options for those seeking dental care in Singapore. These include:

• Dental clinics at government hospitals: These mainly provide specialist services through referrals from polyclinics and other dentists. Waiting time at the government hospital dental clinics may be longer. The fees are generally fixed. Patients will be seen by dentists of various levels of seniority, from Registrars, to Associate Consultants to Senior Consultants. The fees are correspondingly higher if the patient is treated by a more senior dentist. The fees at these clinics are generally lower than at private dental clinics.
• Private dental clinics: These can be found all over Singapore - in the Orchard Road tourist area, business district, shopping malls, medical centres, and the heartland (suburban) areas. The level of services offered and the fees charged can vary in private practice depending on several factors, including but not limited to:
  • whether the dentist is a specialist or a general practitioner
  • the complexity of the procedure
  • the type of procedure required
  • the experience and seniority of the dentist
  • the type of material used
  • the locality of the clinic

Some dental clinics are staffed by dentists who are internationally trained and qualified - which can provide some familiarity to a foreigner living in Singapore who comes from the country where those qualifications were obtained.

Dental Fees

The fees for dental care at the government hospitals are available on the Ministry of Health website. 

Note: the fees listed on the website are fees paid by private patients, defined as those who are referred by private doctors, have requested to see a specific dentist, or are self-referred. There are several exclusions from the fees listed on the Ministry of Health website, such as consultation fees, consumables and x-rays. This should be considered when checking on fees - ensure that the information gives a complete picture of the fees involved.

• For government fee guide: Click here

There is no fee guide where private dental clinics are concerned, but prices usually fall within a certain range, depending on various factors. It is important to clarify whether the fee quoted includes both the surgical procedure and other procedures, or whether they may form an additional cost.

For those who are Singaporeans or permanent residents of Singapore, Medisave may be used for certain surgical procedures such as wisdom tooth surgery and implant surgery. Medisave claims are only available at Medisave accredited dental clinics. The coverage ranges in price depending on the procedure and the complexity.

Dental Services

Common dental services provided by most dental clinics in Singapore include the following:

• Routine scaling and polishing
• Routine check-up and consultation
• Fillings and extractions
• Root canal treatment
• Orthodontics (braces)
• Dentures, crowns and bridges

Some clinics also provide cosmetic procedures such as teeth whitening and veneers. Dental implants, although more of a functional procedure, have also been increasingly added to the cosmetic dentistry menu.

Several things that should be noted

Teeth whitening or bleaching, which is offered by many dentists as a chairside procedure is also currently offered by certain aesthetic salons that specialise in hair removal, slimming and tanning. The whitening procedures at these salons may be performed by individuals who have not received dental or medical training. Dentists counsel caution as a patients' existing dental condition may not be taken into consideration. 

Dental implants are provided by both general dental practitioners and specialists. Patients are recommended to investigate the dentist's training and experience with implants as well as the success rate of the procedures performed by the clinic.

How to Select a Dentist

Some factors to consider in selecting a dentist include (in no particular order):

• Objectivity and communication skills: If the dentist willing to listen, to give some alternatives to treatment and explain the benefits and risks of such treatment. If they are willing to answer questions about the procedure
• Clinical skills: If the patient is comfortable with the clinical skills of the dentist, either based on personal experience or the experience of friends and family members
• Training and qualifications: All Singapore general dental practitioners have basic training in routine dental procedures. However, a person considering more specialised treatment, may consult a specialist (or more than one specialist) to determine if they are suitable for the particular procedure. Some dentists are also trained or qualified from countries such as Australia, USA, Canada or the UK. This may increase the comfort level of a patient since the training or qualification was from a country whose standards they are more familiar with
• Experience: How much experience a dentist has with a particular procedure and how long they have been in practice 
• Continued professional development: Some dentists choose to attend Continuing Dental Education courses to keep current on clinical developments and innovations. Others teach at their local dental school or contribute scientific publication to professional journals
• Dental team: If several different dental procedures are required, it's worth establishing if they can all be provided in the same clinic. If not, it would be a consideration in terms of multiple appointments with different clinics, travel time and communications between treating/referring dentists and familiarity with the dental team and staff
• Accessibility: Some dentists make themselves accessible by providing an emergency number provided and other means of communication 
• Confidence level: Since twice yearly visits to the dentist are recommended to maintain dental health, it is important to feel comfortable with the chosen practise and to have confidence and trust in the dentist as this is a long term relationship

Information provided by Specialist Dental Group
3 Mount Elizabeth, #08-08/08-10, Mount Elizabeth Medical Centre, Singapore 228510
Tel: (65) 6734 9393. Website www.specialistdentalgroup.com
Copyright © 2009 Specialist Dental Group. All Rights Reserved

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