Which Dental Clinics Can Use Medisave in Singapore? Your Guide to Eligible Treatments & Claims

Medisave helps many families in Singapore pay for dental operations. But which dental clinics can use Medisave? Not every clinic, and not every dental treatment, will qualify. If you want to save money and avoid a big dental bill, you need to know your choices. This article will show you exactly which dental clinics let you use Medisave, what dental treatments you can claim, and how to use Medisave for yourself or your family. It’s an easy guide for everyone—so you never get mixed up with all those Medisave dental rules.

Table of Contents

What Is Medisave?

Let’s get started. Medisave is part of the CPF, or Central Provident Fund, in Singapore. It’s a special savings account you set aside just for medical needs.

• Who can use Medisave? Singapore Citizens and Permanent Residents.
• What is it for? Paying hospital bills, approved day surgeries, and some outpatient treatments—but not all treatments.

You can’t just walk into a dental clinic and say, “Can I use Medisave for my filling?” It’s a bit more tricky, and many people get mixed up about the rules.

Why Doesn’t Every Dental Clinic Accept Medisave?

Here’s the problem many face: Not every dental clinic can help you claim Medisave. Why not? The Ministry of Health (MOH) and CPF Board only let some clinics use Medisave for certain treatments.

The requirements:

• The clinic must have a MOH licence and green light from CPF Board.
• Only certain registered dentists (like oral surgeons or dental specialists) can do the treatments that count.
• Not every dentist at an approved clinic can make every Medisave claim—only for treatments that qualify.

Example: If you walk into a clinic not registered for Medisave for a tooth cleaning, you can’t claim Medisave. If you need wisdom tooth operation at a clinic that has approval, now it’s covered!

What Dental Treatments Can I Use Medisave For?

People always ask, “Can I use Medisave for dental work?” The answer: Yes, but only if the treatment is needed for health and is a surgery.

Here’s a list of common dental treatments you can use Medisave for:

• Wisdom tooth removal (surgical, especially if the tooth is stuck)
• Dental implants (also bone grafts or sinus lifts if needed)
• Gum surgery (for big infection or bone loss)
• Oral surgery like removing cysts or lumps, or fixing broken jaw bone
• Dental treatments under full sleep or IV sedation
• Taking a small piece of tissue from mouth for testing (oral biopsy)
• Serious dental infections that need to be cut and drained

But not all treatments are covered. Medisave doesn’t pay for simple dental checks like cleaning, fillings, or braces. Only surgical procedures that the dentist shows are needed for health care might be able to claim.

For more about surgical tooth removal and what happens after, check out this page on dental problems.

Which Dental Clinics Are Medisave-Accredited?

Not all clinics are equal. Here’s the simple breakdown:

Public Hospitals & Specialist Centres

Places like:

• National Dental Centre Singapore (NDCS)
• Singapore General Hospital (SGH)
• National University Hospital Dental Centre (NUH)
• Changi General Hospital (CGH)
• Khoo Teck Puat Hospital (KTPH)

These places nearly always take Medisave for surgical dental work. They treat many people and do bigger surgeries.

Private Dental Clinics

Lots of private dental clinics—especially those with oral and face surgeons or gum specialists—are allowed to use Medisave. You’ll see this mostly at clinics that offer removal of teeth by surgery or implants.

How do you find out?

• Call the clinic: “Do you take Medisave for this treatment?”
• Look for the Medisave sign or words on the clinic’s website.
• Ask your dentist before you start—never wait until after your treatment.

Keep in mind: Approval depends on both the clinic and your type of treatment.

Clinics with good equipment, like a digital dental lab, often work closely with hospitals and dental specialists.

Table: Who Accepts Medisave?

Step-by-Step: How Do I Use Medisave at the Dental Clinic?

Now, let’s go step by step. Here’s how I tell my friends and family:

1. See the Dentist and Get Checked

Start with a clinic visit. The dentist will see if your problem is for surgery and fits Medisave rules. Sometimes, you need an x-ray or scan.

2. Get a Price Quote

Ask the clinic how much it costs. The clinic gives you a Medisave Authorisation Form.

3. Sign the Consent

You, or your family member (if they pay using their Medisave), sign the form.

4. The Clinic Sends in the Claim

The clinic sends your papers and request straight to CPF Board.

5. Medisave Pays

Once OK, CPF Board pays the clinic directly from your Medisave, up to the limit allowed. You pay the rest of the bill yourself.

Fact: Clinics can’t do a Medisave claim after you pay cash—check first before you pay!

How Much Medisave Can I Claim for Dental Surgery?

Everyone wants to know: How much does Medisave really cover for dental surgery? Here are the usual limits:

Table: Medisave Claim Limits (Simple Guide)

You might not get to claim the whole bill. Most dental surgeries cost more than the allowed limit, so you still need to pay part of it yourself.

Can I Use My Medisave for My Family’s Dental Care?

Good question! Did you know Medisave isn’t only for your own bills?

• You can use your Medisave for your husband or wife, parents, grandparents, children, and even brothers or sisters.
• Rules: The person needs to be a Singapore Citizen or Permanent Resident. You have to prove how you are family. The dental work must be a surgery.

Example: If your child has to remove wisdom teeth at a clinic that lets you use Medisave, you can pay using your own Medisave if you have enough money in your account.

This helps many families deal with big dental bills. You can find out how families plan for important treatments by checking out dental implant solutions.

What Treatments Are NOT Covered by Medisave?

This is where most people get mixed up and sometimes upset.

Not Covered – Even at Medisave Clinics

• Regular dental check-ups, cleaning, scaling and polishing
• Fillings and sealant treatments
• Simple (not surgical) extractions
• Cosmetic dentistry (veneers, whitening)
• Crowns, normal bridges, normal dentures
• Braces (orthodontics, clear aligners)
• Most root canals, unless done as a surgery in the hospital

So, if you want teeth whitening or porcelain veneers for a better smile, Medisave is not for this. If you want top lab work, check with your dentist and a dental ceramics lab.

Tips for a Smooth Medisave Dental Claim

Want to be sure? Here’s what you should always do:

• Ask before you schedule surgery: Don’t guess Medisave is accepted. Always ask your clinic.
• Understand the bill split: What does Medisave pay? What do you have to pay yourself?
• Keep all papers: Ask for your Medisave form and keep your receipts.
• Call CPF Board if unsure: Their hotline and website have helpful FAQs—don’t feel stuck!
• Know about extra insurance: If you bought extra health insurance, you might be able to use Medisave for some costs.
• Find out about implants: If you are getting implants, see how a china dental lab works with local dentists for good results.

FAQs

How do I find out if a dental clinic uses Medisave?

Call the clinic or see their website. Look for “Medisave-accredited” or ask if they can claim Medisave for your surgery.

Can foreigners use Medisave for dental work in Singapore?

No. Only Singapore Citizens or Permanent Residents can use Medisave.

Can I use Medisave for braces?

No, Medisave does not cover braces or any dental treatments for looks.

What about hospital stays?

If you are staying in hospital for a big dental operation, Medisave may pay part of the hospital fees, up to the set limit.

Do all dentists in a Medisave clinic accept Medisave?

No. Sometimes, only some specialists (like oral surgeons) at the clinic can help with approved claims.

Summary Table

Here’s a quick summary:

Key Points to Remember

• Medisave pays for medically needed, surgical dental work—not every treatment or clinic is allowed.
• Always check if your clinic can use Medisave and if your treatment is covered.
• Claim limits mean you usually pay some money yourself.
• You can use your Medisave for your family’s approved dental surgery.
• Call CPF Board or your clinic’s admin if you’re not sure about using Medisave.
• Pick the right clinic—choose clinics that work with dental surgeons or have a good implant dental laboratory for complex cases.
• Keep all your forms and don’t be afraid to ask questions!
• Remember: Medisave is helpful, but the rules are strict—check before your dental treatment starts.

By knowing the rules and choosing a good dental clinic, Medisave can make dental surgery a lot easier on your wallet. Now you are ready to start planning for smart dental care in Singapore.