How to Find the Best Dental Clinic in Singapore as Expats

A polyclinic dentist in Singapore costs a foreigner about SGD52 to SGD106 for a consultation. Private clinics charge more. Here are the current prices, the clinics expats use, and how dental insurance works.

One of the many wonders of living as an expat in Singapore is just how colourful and bright it is. The streets are dotted with boldly coloured shophouses, and lush, green foliage pops up in the unlikeliest of places.

Even the expressways leading from the airport to the city itself are adorned with bright pink bougainvillea. Colours seem to zing all around you in a way that they don’t back home, wherever that home is for you.

In fact, it’s a city where everything just seems a little brighter than normal, including people’s smiles. Oh, wait a minute, that’s because they are a little brighter.

With one dentist to every 2,147 people in Singapore (the Ministry of Health counted 2,812 registered dentists in 2024 and 1,228 dental clinics in 2023), it’s fair to deduce that a lot of pearly whites are being buffed and polished every day. No wonder everyone’s smiles look bright.

With so much choice available, how do you know where to start the next time you need to book an appointment in the dental chair?

This guide covers how to choose a dentist in Singapore and what public and private clinics charge. It also explains what insurance and MediSave pay for, the types of dentist, the main treatments and tips for your first visit.

Why Dental Care in Singapore Suits Expats

Aside from there being an abundance of clinics to choose from, dentistry in Singapore also comes with a reputation for excellent quality and good service with aftercare. 

Locally-trained dentists are highly qualified, with completion of a four-year course at the National University of Singapore Faculty of Dentistry being the minimum requirement for registration as a general practitioner with the Singapore Dental Council.

Becoming a specialist takes further postgraduate training in one specialty, such as a Master of Dental Surgery residency, plus some years of practice in that specialty before the dentist joins the specialist register.

Foreign-trained dentists are required to have graduated from one of a limited number of approved universities globally, and to have practiced under supervision for a minimum of two years before being allowed to progress to full registration and independent practice within Singapore.

Couple this extensive training with the use of English as the common teaching and practicing language, as well as generally high levels of medical hygiene and sanitation, and it is easy to understand why dentistry has a strong and positive reputation in Singapore.

In short, have no fear if you need to see a dentist in Singapore. Following a bit of guidance on how to choose the best dentist for you, you will be sure to find yourself in good hands.

Types of Dentists in Singapore

Before you rush off to book your appointment, let’s first discuss what types of dentists and dental clinics there are in Singapore.

Dentists: General Dental Practitioners vs. Specialists

All dentists have to complete the four-year Bachelor of Dental Surgery at the National University of Singapore (or an approved foreign equivalent) to become a registered General Dental Practitioner (GDP) and practice in Singapore. 

A specialist dentist is one who has gone on to complete approved specialist training in one of eight fields recognised in Singapore:

• Endodontics: root canal treatment
• Oral & Maxillofacial surgery: disorders of the mouth, jaws, face and neck
• Dental Public Health: oral health programmes for whole communities
• Orthodontics: braces
• Paediatric Dentistry: child dentistry
• Periodontics: gum disease treatment
• Prosthodontics: crowns, bridges, and dentures
• Special Care Dentistry: dental care for people with disabilities or complex medical needs

Dental Clinics: Public vs. Private

Singapore’s public healthcare system, including dental services, runs in tandem to and in competition with a private one.

Generally speaking, dental healthcare in the public sector is cheaper than private because Singaporeans enjoy a reduction in costs through healthcare schemes and subsidies offered by the government. 

As an expat, however, these won’t apply to you (unless you have taken Permanent Resident status and pay into a Central Provident Fund), but public hospitals can still be competitive on bigger treatments. For routine work like scaling and polishing, you can pay more at a polyclinic than at a private clinic.

Public clinics are cheaper for citizens and PRs, so you’ll wait longer to see a dentist.

The wait time for a referral from a GDP to a specialist in the public sector may take four to six weeks, whereas most private clinics can give you an appointment within one or two days. That said, some public dental clinics have a loose arrangement to offer some walk-in slots every day, and dental emergencies, such as excessive bleeding or extreme pain, will always be seen.

Singapore’s National Healthcare Group delivers public healthcare through a system of hospitals and polyclinics.

Polyclinics are government-subsidised healthcare centres providing good quality medical and dental care. Not every polyclinic has a dental clinic.

SingHealth has dental clinics at five polyclinics: Bedok, Eunos, Pasir Ris, Punggol and Tampines. The National University Polyclinics have them at Bukit Panjang, Jurong and Queenstown. Subsidies are for citizens and PRs, so you’ll pay the full non-resident rate.

If you visit a polyclinic and subsequently need specialist treatment, they will refer you to a government hospital or the National Dental Centre (NDC), where you can still be treated with public rates. Should you get a referral to the NDC from a private clinic, however, you will have to pay the private rate offered by the NDC. For a broader overview of hospital options, see our guide to private hospitals in Singapore.

Private clinics can easily be found island-wide and come with varying reputations and costs. More of that later, though it is worth noting here that some private clinics in local ‘heartlands’ (non-expat areas) often have very comparable rates to public clinics. 

Within Singapore, there tend to be two main types of private dental clinics, the single dentist practice, and the bigger group practice. The disadvantage of a single dentist practice being that if you need specialist treatment, they will likely have to refer you onto another practice, but equally, if you are being treated within a big group practice covering all specialities, you may feel that you are being held hostage to their proposed treatment plans and pricing.

Overall, people tend to choose between private and polyclinics depending on their budget and insurance, and between GDPs and specialists depending on their needs.

Public Dental Clinics and Polyclinics in Singapore

If all you are after is a good old clean and polish of your gnashers and time isn’t of the essence, then it’s well worth looking at one of the island’s polyclinics. 

The National Healthcare Group and SingHealth both run polyclinics.

NHG Polyclinics dental clinics see patients by appointment only. Book through the NHG Health App, HealthHub or the NHG Polyclinics Contact Centre on 6355 3000, and expect a refundable SGD8 deposit. Do note, prices for foreigners are different to those quoted for Singaporeans.

If your child is in need of more urgent attention, then the paediatric unit at the NDCS (National Dental Centre Singapore) offers a walk-in clinic for new patients between 8 a.m. and 11:30 a.m.

Adult emergencies can be treated at the A&E section of any hospital, but they will only actually treat truly urgent or painful cases. Most of the time, you will be handed some painkillers and advised to make a follow-up appointment.

What a Polyclinic Dentist Costs a Foreigner

A polyclinic consultation costs you about SGD52 to SGD106 as a foreigner, with no subsidy. (Verified October 2026.)

Treatment	SingHealth Polyclinics (non-resident)	National University Polyclinics (non-resident)
Consultation or exam	SGD60 to SGD106	SGD52 to SGD89
Scaling and polishing	SGD157 to SGD293 (together)	Scaling SGD61 to SGD125; polishing SGD61 to SGD102
Extraction	SGD86 to SGD231	SGD83 to SGD136
Filling	Ask the clinic	SGD61 to SGD183

X-rays, medicine and extra treatment cost more. The National University Polyclinics fees started on 17 August 2026. SingHealth says its charges are a guide and can change, so check the current list before you book.

Best Private Dental Clinics in Singapore for Expats

If what you are after is a bit more than just some sparkle, then you should probably be looking at one of the private dental clinics. 

In addition, just about every local shopping mall has a clinic, and you can find clusters of dental clinics in the larger medical centres such as Novena Medical Centre and Camden Medical Centre on Orchard Road.

The Singapore Dental Council even maintains a registry of all registered dentists in Singapore, and many clinics also list fees on their own websites.

But as usual, word-of-mouth (pardon the pun) recommendations tend to be the best, so ask around. The really brave among you might spot the loveliest smiles on the street and ask for their recommendation.

For the rest of you, these are a few of our suggestions:

Dr. Justin Stewart at PURE NZ DENTAL

Top of all expat’s ‘little black book’ of referrals is Dr. Justin Stewart at Pure NZ Dental, who has over 20 years of dental experience in New Zealand and Singapore. Pure NZ Dental, based in Bukit Timah, is your go-to for the whole family, from adults, teens, children, and babies.

Pure NZ Dental specialises in minimal intervention dentistry, including cosmetics, and is a very sound and balanced dentist. Pure NZ Dental offers prevention and general everyday dentistry alongside specialist treatments such as white fillings, whitening, sealants, and dental implants.

Pure NZ Dental has a team of experienced dentists and modern facilities to ensure you are in good hands.

The Dentist@Orchard

Located right in the heart of the expat shopping ground of Orchard Road, The Dentist@Orchard takes a holistic focus to oral health, believing that it is an important indicator of one’s physical and psychological health.

The combination of high-quality dental treatments and the tranquil and soothing environment of the clinic ensures its well-deserved recognition as a top clinic for expats in Singapore.

Expat Dental

Based in the Novena Medical Centre, Expat Dental is known for its dental excellence and patient comfort. With a full set of specialisations on offer, from restorative dentistry to sports dentistry and even digital dentistry, you can be sure you’ll be on the receiving end of the latest techniques and highest quality care.

Smile Focus

One of the first clinics to cater to the expat client, Smile Focus, has been going strong for over 25 years and continues to deliver trustworthy, quality dental care for the whole family, with a full range of services on offer from its Camden Medical Centre-based clinic.

NTUC Denticare

For those of you looking for a household brand for affordable dental care, then we recommend NTUC Denticare. It was set up by Singapore’s Labour Movement in 1971. NTUC Health sold its stake in 2024 and Denticare merged with Royce Dental Group, but its clinics kept the Denticare name.

How Much Does a Dentist Cost in Singapore?

A polyclinic consultation costs a foreigner about SGD52 to SGD106. At a private clinic, the Ministry of Health benchmark for a routine consultation is SGD21 to SGD31 before GST. Specialist fees vary by clinic, so ask for a quote before you book. (Verified October 2026.)

Pricing for dental treatments across Singapore is generally predictable and transparent. If you are still working out your overall budget, see our guide to the cost of living in Singapore.

The Ministry of Health even publishes a guide to dental treatment costs paid by patients in Singapore’s public institutions, which makes a great starting point for comparisons with private clinics.

Costs will vary according to whether you are seeing a GDP or a specialist, the type of procedure, its complexity, and your chosen dentist’s experience and training. Expect to pay more for those who teach at public institutions, are opinion leaders in their speciality, or sit on advisory boards.

All clinics start with an initial consultation fee. A foreigner pays about SGD52 to SGD106 at a public polyclinic. At a private clinic, MOH’s benchmark for a routine consultation is SGD21 to SGD31 before GST. Specialist consultations vary by clinic.

Costs for treatments can also vary according to the quality and associated cost of materials used. 

For example, if you go for the full bling option and choose gold for your dental crown, you can expect to pay more than if you use a non-precious metal. Similarly, dental implants manufactured in Europe tend to cost more than those made in Asia, while clear ceramic braces are more expensive than metal versions.

So before you whip out your credit card, it is worth doing a bit of research to see what a clinic charges for each treatment and product. The Ministry of Health also publishes fee benchmarks for common procedures at private clinics, which gives you a clear reference point (see below).

We have put together a starter table for you to use as a comparison. Prices are in Singapore dollars (SGD).

*All figures exclude GST (currently 9%). Public clinic costs (except scaling and polishing) are the Ministry of Health’s published average fees for non-subsidised patients at public dental centres and hospitals in 2025. Each figure is the range across the public institutions that report it. The scaling and polishing figure is the SingHealth polyclinic non-resident fee for both (SGD157 to SGD293 with GST), shown here without GST. Private clinic figures are MOH’s CHAS fee benchmarks for routine cases at private clinics. MOH publishes no benchmark for braces, impacted wisdom tooth surgery or implants, so those vary by clinic.

Expats consistently note that private clinic prices in heartland areas, away from CBD and Orchard, can run 20-30% lower than clinics in central expat hubs, so location is worth factoring in for non-urgent work.

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What the Ministry of Health Says a Fair Price Is

The Ministry of Health (MOH) publishes fee benchmarks for 18 common procedures at private dental clinics. They show what a routine case should typically cost, before GST, so you can tell quickly whether a quote is in the normal range. (Verified October 2026.)

Dental Treatment	Details	Average Cost: Public Clinic (before GST)	MOH Benchmark: Private Clinic (before GST)
Polishing & Scaling	–	SGD144 – SGD269	SGD61 – SGD98
Braces	Double Arch, Non-surgical	SGD3,921 – SGD6,400	Varies by clinic
Impacted Wisdom Tooth Surgery	Per Tooth	SGD794 – SGD1,407	Varies by clinic
Dental Implants	Per Implant, with Crown	SGD4,835 – SGD6,168	Varies by clinic
Crowns	Per Crown	SGD983 – SGD1,488	SGD750 – SGD1,400
Root Canal Treatment	Per Tooth – Anterior Tooth	SGD368 – SGD695	SGD400 – SGD775
Full Dentures	Per Arch	SGD922 – SGD1,458	SGD500 – SGD818

Procedure	MOH benchmark (private clinic)
Consultation	SGD21 to SGD31
Scaling	SGD35 to SGD60
Polishing	SGD26 to SGD38
Simple filling	SGD65 to SGD160
Back tooth extraction	SGD93 to SGD164
X-ray (single tooth)	SGD16 to SGD33
Root canal (molar)	SGD872 to SGD1,400
Permanent crown	SGD750 to SGD1,400

The benchmarks were set for clinics on the CHAS scheme, but they are a useful yardstick at any private clinic. Before you agree to treatment, MOH suggests asking:

• Which procedures do I actually need?
• Are there other treatment options?
• What will it cost, and how does that compare with the MOH benchmark?
• Can I see a breakdown of the fees?
• Are there any extra charges I should know about?

A quote well above the benchmark is not automatically wrong, since complex cases cost more. It is a good reason to ask the clinic to explain the difference, or to get a second quote.

Dental Insurance in Singapore for Expats

Dental care in Singapore is not going to be cheap, especially if you choose a private clinic and need ongoing specialist care, so it would be prudent to get some insurance in place to assist with the cost, should you need it.

Generally speaking, most expats’ health insurance doesn’t automatically cover dental care.

It might cover you for emergency dental treatment for accidental damage caused (as might your travel insurance when an accident occurs on an overseas trip), but not much beyond that. 

At the same time, dental insurance can be difficult to secure as a stand-alone policy in Singapore. Expats on Singapore forums say a stand-alone dental policy rarely pays for itself. Workplace dental benefits can run out after one or two visits.

The solution then is to upgrade your existing health insurance to include a fully comprehensive plan with dental care. If you are evaluating international plans, our guide to international health insurance in Singapore covers the main options.

It is generally straightforward to add dental benefits to your medical insurance, and the majority share the same features as follows:

• Coverage for routine cleaning through to dental surgery and orthodontics.
• An annual limit on dental claims, which varies by insurer and plan.

If you have insurance in place, it is worth checking with your dental clinic to see whether billing can be managed directly between your insurer and the clinic.

Not all clinics enable this direct billing, but most will assist with your filling of forms should you need to do it yourself. Some clinics may require a ‘Letter of Guarantee’ from your insurer prior to your treatment. Among expats, Cigna and Bupa tend to have the widest direct-billing networks at Singapore private dental clinics.

If you’re a Permanent Resident paying into CPF, you can use your MediSave savings for selected complex dental surgery done for medical reasons. The clinic must be MediSave-accredited. At 60 and above, you can also use Flexi-MediSave for selected non-surgical work, such as permanent crowns and root canal treatment. Ask your dentist whether a treatment is MediSave-claimable. (Verified October 2026.) The Community Health Assist Scheme (CHAS) dental subsidies are only for Singapore Citizens, so PRs and other foreigners pay the full fee. After treatment, fill in a medical claims authorisation form, and your dental clinic will help you to submit the MediSave claim.

Once approved, the claimable amount will be sent to your clinic.

There are many different options for insurance. Here are a couple to look at:

Chubb Dental Insurance: covers emergency treatment, routine preventive care, x-rays, extractions and root canals, through a network of clinics. It’s sold through partners and intermediaries, so ask a broker for a quote.

Medical International: a broker with branches in Singapore and Indonesia that says it works with over 30 insurers. Its plans can include dental benefits, so ask for dental cover when you request a quote.

Other major insurers which the majority of dental clinics accept direct billing from include:

• Allianz World Wide Care
• Bupa Global
• Cigna International
• Geoblue
• Globalities
• HTH Worldwide
• MSH International

As with all things insurance, pre-warned is pre-armed, so read up on your policy and your clinic’s payment terms ahead of committing to any treatment.

How to Choose a Dentist in Singapore

Visiting the dentist is a highly personal experience. Access to quality dental care is one of the reasons expats consistently rate Singapore highly for quality of life. For some, the mere thought of the dental chair incurs cold sweats amid memories of poor childhood experiences, for others, it may be a mixture of excitement and relief to be dealing with perceived oral flaws.

Within this guide, we have given you an overview of the types of dentists available, dental treatments on offer, pricing, and insurance, but how do you actually decide which dentist to choose?

Start by asking yourself a number of questions:

• Is time of the essence? If you are in pain now, you don’t want to wait a few weeks for a referral, so a quick phone call to a private clinic to be seen today is your best option. If it is just for a routine clean and polish, then check out the many polyclinics across the island and save your pennies for the hot date you plan to secure with your future shiny smile.
• Do you prefer an individual personal experience for an immediate need, or is it more important to find a centre that covers all specialities and treatments for future potential needs?
• Is location important? You might be able to find cheaper dentists outside of the expat areas, or if it is convenience that is important, finding a recommended dentist in the CBD near work or home might override the price increase.
• Is it important to you that the clinic offers a direct billing option with an insurer to save the headache of endless form filling?

Word-of-mouth recommendation is always highly advised, so perhaps ask your colleagues, friends, or other parents (if the treatment is for your child). 

Expats in Singapore forums also suggest asking for a written, itemised quote before agreeing to bigger work like crowns or Invisalign. A few report clinics adding scans or upgrades that were not discussed up front, so a quote you can compare across two clinics is the simplest way to avoid surprises.

What you are looking to hear in a recommendation is as follows:

• That the dentist has good communication skills and objectivity. 
• That they listen to you and advise on treatment options clearly while also addressing any concerns you have. 
• That the dentist in question has the specialist training and extensive experience with the treatment that you or your family member is likely to need.
• That the clinic itself can offer the range of procedures that you or your family member may require, or has a referral program in place to other recommended clinics.

How to Check a Dentist Is Registered

Every dentist practising in Singapore must be registered with the Singapore Dental Council (SDC) and hold a valid practising certificate. Checking takes a minute:

• Go to the SDC website and open the search for registered dentists.
• Search by the dentist’s name.
• Confirm the registration is current and, for specialist work, that the dentist is listed as a specialist in that field.

This matters most for bigger jobs like implants or orthodontics, where you want a registered specialist rather than a general dentist who also offers the treatment.

Visiting the Dentist

So you’ve selected the dentist, now for the appointment. What do you need to do ahead of your first visit to the dentist in Singapore?

Rule number one: Don’t procrastinate! If you are due for a routine appointment or you have a concern, then get on it and make the appointment. Delays lead to problems escalating, which will ultimately cost you, as further treatment may be required.

Rule number two: If you are on a tight budget, let your dentist know upfront so that they can consider how to prioritise procedures. Ask for the estimated fees before booking the appointment, and if you are using insurance, check your policy for coverage details.

Rule number three: Once you find a dentist you like, stick with them. Building a relationship with your dentist builds trust and minimises the risk that they will advise unnecessary treatment. It is not unheard of for dentists to criticise previous work you have had done and unnecessarily (and unethically) suggest it is re-done through them.

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Rule number four: If it’s aesthetic procedures you are after, such as teeth whitening, don’t think you can be clever and skip the dentist for your local beauty salon instead. Their lack of qualification in specialist oral hygiene and healthcare will simply lead to more expensive dental treatment needed to rectify their poor work later on.

And last but not least:

Rule number five: Keep up the regular check-up appointments and hygiene routines recommended by your dentist. Ongoing maintenance and care of your teeth will minimize the number of subsequent visits and painful costs.

Dental Treatments in Singapore

A GDP is your starting point for all dental treatments. They will check on your overall teeth and gum health as well as offer advice and treatments for oral hygiene, and then suggest specialist treatment as required.

Specialist treatments can best be categorized under the eight recognised dental specialties that dentists train in.

Endodontics

These include treatments for toothaches, cracked or knocked out teeth, tooth abscesses, and infections. For example:

Root canal treatment: the treatment of an infection in a tooth to prevent reinfection and save the natural tooth. Treatment is done under local anaesthetic and involves making an opening in the crown of the tooth to remove the infected tissue.

Oral Maxillofacial

Specialists in this field conduct more surgical treatments, such as tooth extraction and removal of tumours and cysts. For example:

Wisdom teeth removal: undertaken when the wisdom teeth have impacted or failed to come through into your mouth because of lack of space in the jaw. Removal of these teeth is done under general or local anaesthetic.

Dental Public Health and Special Care Dentistry

Dental public health covers oral health programmes for whole communities. Special care dentistry covers dental care for people with disabilities or complex medical needs.

Special care dentistry became Singapore’s eighth dental specialty on 1 July 2025.

Orthodontics

This speciality treatment is most commonly associated with braces, but the conditions it treats are far wider than just the movement of the teeth. It actually covers all development of your teeth and bite, so that can include cleft lip and palate management, sleep apnoea or snoring problems, and other jaw abnormalities.

Treatments include fixed braces, aligners and removable retainers. For example:

Fixed braces: these use brackets made from either stainless steel or clear ceramic porcelain fixed to the teeth at varying widths and strength of wires interlaced between them to encourage teeth movement.

Invisalign: a well-known system that is often referred to in lists of treatments offered by a clinic. This is a modern alternative to conventional fixed braces and involves a series of removable clear plastic trays moulded to your mouth to straighten your teeth or treat problems with bite or overcrowding.

Paediatric Dentistry

As the name would suggest, this is dentistry for children from birth through to adolescents. Treatments within this speciality include preventative services such as sealants and fluoride therapy, through to fillings, crowns, and extractions.

Paedodontic specialists also manage traumatic injury to developing teeth and jaws, and dental treatment for children with special needs. Treatments include:

Fillings: damaged teeth are restored using metal free, tooth coloured filling material.

Sealants: the use of non-invasive methods to protect teeth which may be prone to cavity formation.

Periodontics

The treatment of disease in your gums and surrounding tissues. Conditions can range from bad breath through to tooth sensitivity, gum recession, and full abscesses. Treatments include crown lengthening, soft tissue grafting, and:

Deep cleanse: when a dental hygienist runs an advanced form of cleaning to remove bacteria, tartar and other debris that has built up under the gumline.

Prosthodontics

These specialists treat problems such as missing or discoloured teeth. Treatments include placing crowns, bridges, veneers, laminates, dentures, and implants, as well as teeth whitening. Treatments include:

Crowns/Caps: used when significant tooth restructuring is needed. Aesthetic, high-strength materials such as porcelain and zirconia or another composite resin are used to rebuild, protect, and strengthen your teeth.

Veneers: thin porcelain shells that are custom fitted to improve the colour, position and shape of your teeth.

Implants: these are used for heavily compromised or missing teeth, an implant is placed in the jawbone and fuses with your natural bone to form a strong foundation for replacement teeth.

Also falling within the above specialities, but deserving of their own individual mentions because of their popularity, are treatments such as aesthetics/cosmetic and sports dentistry.

Aesthetics

More commonly known as cosmetic dentistry, aesthetics crosses oral surgery, orthodontics, prosthodontics, and periodontics. Treatments include teeth whitening, bonding, Botox injections, and more. For example:

Whitening: a special light-activated gel is applied to your teeth, then light is applied to enhance and speed up the action of the agent which whitens and brightens your teeth.

Bonding: used to close a gap in the teeth or straighten uneven teeth, composite resin is used to bond the teeth in a pain-free and undamaging way.

Botox: used for improving facial aesthetics and in the treatment of joint and muscle pain in the face and throat.

Dermal Fillers: used to assist in the reduction of fine lines and wrinkles or transform thin, sagging lips.

Sports Dentistry

Sports dentistry is a specialized branch that focuses on the prevention and treatment of oral and facial injuries related to sports activities. Sports dentists generally measure and prepare mouth guards for adults and children to protect their teeth during high-contact sports like martial arts. 

FAQ about dentists in Singapore

Here are some common questions expats ask about dentists in Singapore.

How much does a dentist appointment cost in Singapore?

A consultation costs a foreigner about SGD52 to SGD106 at a public polyclinic, GST included. At a private clinic, the Ministry of Health benchmark is SGD21 to SGD31 before GST, and specialist consultations vary by clinic. Scaling and polishing cost extra. At a SingHealth polyclinic, a foreigner pays SGD157 to SGD293 for both, GST included. The Ministry of Health benchmark at a private clinic is SGD61 to SGD98 before GST.

Are public dental clinics cheaper for expats?

Not always. Public clinics are subsidised for citizens and PRs, but expats pay the full non-resident rate. For scaling and polishing, that rate is higher than the Ministry of Health benchmark for private clinics. For bigger work like crowns and implants, public hospitals publish average fees you can compare. You may also wait longer.

Which dental insurance covers expats in Singapore?

Most standard expat health insurance plans don’t include dental care unless you add it as an extra. Popular international insurers that offer dental coverage include Allianz, Bupa, and Cigna, and many clinics in Singapore accept direct billing from them. If you want comprehensive coverage, you should upgrade your plan to include dental benefits.

What is the best dental clinic in Singapore for foreigners?

There isn’t a single “best” clinic, but several names consistently come up in expat circles. Clinics such as Expat Dental, Smile Focus, Pure NZ Dental, and The Dentist@Orchard are especially popular for their English-speaking staff and full range of treatments.

Do dentists in Singapore speak English?

Yes. English is the main language of instruction in dental schools and is used widely in clinics across Singapore. Whether you go to a public or private dentist, you can expect consultations and treatment to be carried out in English.

Can expats use CHAS for dental subsidies?

No. CHAS is only open to Singapore Citizens. Permanent Residents who pay into CPF can use MediSave for selected surgical dental procedures at MediSave-accredited dental clinics. Other foreigners pay the full fee or claim on their insurance.

How much does scaling and polishing cost in Singapore?

MOH’s benchmark for a private clinic is SGD35 to SGD60 for scaling and SGD26 to SGD38 for polishing, before GST. Clinics in expat areas often charge more than this. At a SingHealth polyclinic, a foreigner pays SGD157 to SGD293 for scaling and polishing together, GST included.

How much does a dental implant cost in Singapore?

An implant with a crown costs about SGD4,835 to SGD6,168 per unit at Singapore’s public hospitals and dental centres. That’s from the Ministry of Health’s 2025 average fees. They exclude GST and generally exclude consultation and x-rays. Private quotes vary widely, so get two itemised quotes.

Can foreigners see a dentist at a polyclinic?

Yes, but you pay the non-resident rate with no subsidy. SingHealth has dental clinics at Bedok, Eunos, Pasir Ris, Punggol and Tampines. The National University Polyclinics have them at Bukit Panjang, Jurong and Queenstown.

How do I know if a dentist in Singapore is qualified?

Search the dentist’s name on the Singapore Dental Council website. All practising dentists must be registered there, and specialists are listed under their specialty.

Now, on to You

We hope that this article answers everything you need to know when it comes to finding a dentist in Singapore.

Singapore is full of qualified dentists. For non-complicated treatments, you can basically visit any dental clinic near where you live. For complicated procedures, you should seek references from other locals or fellow expats.

In case cost of dental treatment in Singapore is too high, you can visit other countries instead. Bangkok is a popular alternative.