Medisave for Dental in Singapore
Medisave for Dental — The Simple, Honest Explanation
Medisave for dental in Singapore can only be used for specific, medically necessary dental procedures, most commonly surgical treatments. It is not intended for routine, preventive, or cosmetic dental care.
This is why many patients receive conflicting answers when asking whether Medisave can be used for wisdom tooth extraction, root canal treatment, dental implants, or other dental procedures.
The key rule is simple but often poorly explained:
Medisave eligibility depends on whether a dental procedure is surgical and medically indicated — not on which clinic you visit.
Claimable amounts are governed by MOH’s Table of Surgical Procedures (TOSP) and vary according to clinical complexity, diagnosis, and surgical coding. This is why costs can feel unpredictable and why different clinics may quote different claimable amounts for what seems like the “same” treatment.
This page explains what dental treatments may be Medisave-claimable, how the claim process works, and why answers often differ — clearly, calmly, and without assumptions.
TL;DR — What You Need to Know About Medisave for Dental
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Medisave is not for routine dental care like scaling, fillings, or whitening
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Medisave is typically used for medically necessary dental surgery
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Eligibility depends on procedure type and surgical complexity, not the clinic
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Claim limits vary based on CPF / MOH surgical guidelines
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Surgical wisdom tooth extraction is the most common Medisave-claimable procedure
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Different clinics may quote different amounts due to case complexity
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A proper assessment is required before confirming claimable eligibility
Can Medisave Be Used for Dental Treatment in Singapore?
Yes — Medisave can be used for dental treatment, but only under specific conditions.
Medisave is designed to help patients offset the cost of medical and surgical care, including certain dental procedures that are considered medically necessary surgeries. It does not function like general dental insurance and does not apply to everyday dental maintenance.
In practice, this means:
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Surgical dental procedures may be claimable
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Non-surgical dental treatments are generally not claimable
What Is the One Rule That Determines Medisave Eligibility?
The single rule that determines Medisave eligibility for dental treatment is:
Is the procedure surgical and medically indicated under MOH guidelines?
This rule explains:
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Why surgical wisdom tooth removal may be claimable, while a simple extraction is not
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Why surgical implant placement may be claimable, but crowns are not
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Why two patients undergoing “wisdom tooth removal” may have different claimable amounts
Medisave does not cover treatments based on:
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Brand of clinic
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Dentist preference
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Package pricing
It is strictly tied to clinical diagnosis, surgical complexity, and CPF surgical codes.
Which Dental Procedures Are Medisave-Claimable?
Below are the most common dental procedures that may be Medisave-claimable, subject to clinical assessment and MOH guidelines.
Common Medisave-Claimable Dental Procedures
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Surgical wisdom tooth extraction (impacted teeth, bone removal)
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Dental Implant surgery (Surgical placement of implant fixture)
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Bone grafting (when medically required for implant stability)
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Sinus lift procedures (when medically indicated)
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Oral surgery (e.g. cyst removal, biopsy)
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Surgical root canal procedures (e.g. apicoectomy)
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Gum Surgery – Gingivectomy, crown lengthening
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Surgical Removal of Retained Roots / Embedded Teeth
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Incision & Drainage for Abscesses – To treat infections
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Orthognathic (jaw) surgery
Claim limits are capped under MOH’s Table of Surgical Procedures and depend on surgical complexity.
Surgical wisdom tooth extraction is the most common Medisave-claimable dental procedure. You can learn more about eligibility, claim limits, and costs in our detailed guide on Medisave for Wisdom Tooth Extraction in Singapore
What Dental Treatments Are Not Covered by Medisave?
Medisave does not cover routine, preventive, or cosmetic dental treatments, including:
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Scaling and polishing
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Dental fillings
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Crowns, bridges, dentures (non-surgical)
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Orthodontics, Braces and Invisalign®
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Teeth whitening
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Non-surgical root canal treatment (coverage coming mid-2026 for seniors under Flexi-Medisave)
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Simple non-surgical tooth extractions
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Cosmetic procedures (veneers)
These treatments fall outside Medisave’s scope because they are not classified as surgical medical procedures.
Why Do Different Clinics Give Different Answers About Medisave?
This is one of the most common frustrations patients face.
Different clinics may give different answers because:
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Surgical complexity varies from patient to patient
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CPF surgical codes differ based on diagnosis and procedure difficulty
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Some clinics provide estimates before proper assessment
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Some explanations oversimplify Medisave rules
What matters is not the clinic’s pricing structure, but:
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Whether surgery is required
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How complex the surgery is
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Which MOH surgical code applies
A proper clinical assessment is essential before confirming Medisave eligibility.
How Much Can I Claim from Medisave for Dental Treatment?
There is no single flat amount that applies to all dental procedures.
Medisave claim limits:
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Are capped under MOH / CPF guidelines
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Vary by procedure type and complexity
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Apply only to the surgical component of treatment
For example:
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Surgical wisdom tooth extraction may be claimable up to a capped amount
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Dental implants may allow a claim for the implant surgery, but not the crown
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Bone grafting may be claimable only when medically required
Your dentist should explain:
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What portion may be claimable
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What portion is not
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What your estimated out-of-pocket cost may be
Even when Medisave applies, patients often want to understand the remaining out-of-pocket amount. Our breakdown of wisdom tooth extraction cost in Singapore explains how surgical complexity affects final fees.
Can I Use My Family Member’s Medisave for Dental Treatment?
Yes. You may use the Medisave of:
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Your spouse
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Your parents
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Your grandparents
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Your children
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Your siblings
This is subject to:
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Sufficient Medisave balance
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Proper authorisation via CPF
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The procedure being Medisave-eligible
How Does the Medisave Claim Process Work?
At a Medisave-accredited dental clinic, the process is typically:
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Clinical consultation and assessment
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Determination of surgical necessity and complexity
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Explanation of estimated claimable amount – Transparent breakdown of what can be claimed.
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Authorisation via Medical Claims Authorisation Form (MCAF) – Sign consent
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Check Your Medisave Balance – Via Singpass or CPF
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Clinic submits claim directly to CPF
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Patient pays remaining balance only - If the procedure exceeds claim limits, top up by cash, card
Patients do not submit claims themselves when treated at an accredited clinic.
Is Dentalis a Medisave-Accredited Dental Clinic?
Yes. Dentalis is a Medisave-accredited dental clinic in Singapore’s CBD, near Pinnacle @ Duxton, Chinatown, Tanjong Pagar and Maxwell MRT.
We regularly assist patients with:
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Surgical wisdom tooth removal
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Dental implant surgery
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Medisave eligibility assessment
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Clear explanation of claimable vs non-claimable components
Plus,
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Our approach is calm, transparent, and assessment-led — never assumption-based.
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Gentle, Experienced Dentists: Care that puts you at ease
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Advanced Technology: For precision, comfort, and faster healing
Take the stress out of dental surgery costs. Book your consultation today — and let Dentalis handle your Medisave claim from start to finish.
Speak to Us for Clear, Calm Medisave Guidance
If you are unsure whether your dental treatment may be Medisave-claimable, the safest next step is a proper assessment — not guesswork or assumptions.
At Dentalis, we explain:
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Whether surgery is required
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What may be claimable
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What your estimated out-of-pocket cost may be
Book a consultation to receive clarity before making decisions.
Frequently asked questions
Author & Clinical Review
Author: Dr Jonathan Liu, BDS (Singapore)
Dental Surgeon | BDS
Dr Jonathan Liu has over 25 years of clinical experience in Singapore, with a focus on surgical dentistry, patient-centred care, and clear communication. Known for his calm chairside manner and thorough explanations, he regularly advises patients on Medisave eligibility and surgical treatment planning in accordance with MOH guidelines.
Last reviewed & updated: 2025