updated: Dec 20, 2024
Going to the dentist can be a terrifying affair for more than one reason, but we don’t have a choice. Here’s where you can go for affordable regular dental check-up and maintenance in Singapore.
You can suddenly find yourself staring at a S$2,000 payment because time and tooth decay finally caught up with you, and you need a root canal treatment to avoid looking like Jaws from James Bond every time you smile (true story).
Ironically, people who find themselves in such a situation end up there because they skipped going to the dentist early and not often enough (also true). But with the high costs of living, dental check-ups can be one of those chores Singaporeans are only too glad to skip, until it becomes too late.
We don’t want you to go through the same painful scenario, so we rounded up eight cheap dental clinic options for check-ups in Singapore as well as the types of dental treatments that you can get there.
Furthermore, as a bonus, we've added a list of Singapore credit cards to use for your dental treatment payments to get the most bang for your buck!
The most standard and basic treatment, this is probably a quarterly affair for dental maintenance. This involves plague removal, and as the name implies, polishing of your teeth to give it that shine for a glowing smile.
Somewhat similar to polishing, but at a higher degree, teeth whitening is especially useful for folks who consume a copious amount of coffee, wine and other foods that cause teeth to lose their shine.
The procedure relies on whitening agents such as carbamide peroxide and hydrogen peroxide, both of which permeate your tooth enamel to whiten your teeth.
While dentists are trained to minimise the pain associated with extractions and fillings, this is still the number one reason why most people develop a fear of dentists.
But in the hands of a skilled dentist, the procedure will end before you even know it. The real pain, in the figurative sense, comes from the amount you have to pay for either an extraction or filling. But this does not compare to the next most common dental treatment.
The notorious wisdom tooth extraction typically entails a significant amount of subsequent medical leave. While some wisdom tooth extractions are done painlessly via an extraction, there are cases where the tooth grows in an odd position.
When that happens, dentists might opt for wisdom tooth surgery, which comes with the full works. This includes applying anesthesia to block the pain as the dentist’s skilled hands go to work on cutting the wisdom tooth into tiny pieces for extraction.
Now that you are familiar with the common dental procedures, it’s time to find the right dentists who can perform them. Here are eight cost-friendly options for dental check-ups in Singapore.
Dental clinic |
Location |
Cost (consultation, scaling, polishing) |
Polyclinics (SingHealth, NUP and NHG) |
Islandwide |
SingHealth (Consultation): From S$9.60 NUP (Consultation): From S$11.70 |
NUS Faculty of Dentistry |
National University Centre for Oral Health, 9 Lower Kent Ridge Road, Singapore 119085 |
Contact Smileclinic@nus.edu.sg for more details |
Q&M Dental Group |
Islandwide |
Consultation: From S$21.80 Consultation with specialist: From S$54.50 Scaling and Polishing: From S$87.20 |
NTUC Health Denticare |
Islandwide |
Consultation: S$25 to S$35 Consultation with specialist: S$40 to S$90 Scaling and Polishing: S$60 to S$140 |
Azure Dental |
781 Bukit Timah Rd, Singapore 269759 |
Consultation: S$32 Scaling and Polishing: From S$100 |
Newport Dental |
Kallang Wave Mall, 1 Stadium Pl, #01-08, Singapore 397628 |
Consultation: From S$40 Scaling and Polishing: From S$65 |
PKWY Dental Specialist Practice (Parkway Dental Practice) |
Pacific Plaza, #12-02, 9 Scotts Rd, Singapore 228210 |
Scaling and Polishing: S$80 to S$180 |
Advanced Dental Group |
Islandwide |
Short (<10 min) Consultation: S$20 to S$40 Consultation with specialist: S$50 to S$80 Long (>10 min) Consultation with specialist: S$90 to S$180 Scaling and Polishing: S$70 to S$100 All prices are before GST charge |
Greenlife Dental |
8 clinics islandwide |
Call your preferred branch or contact info@greenlifedental.com for more details |
B9 Dental |
9 clinics islandwide |
Scaling and polishing: S$60 to S$80 |
TP Dental |
391b Orchard Road #26-01, Ngee Ann City, Tower B, 238874 |
Call 6737 9011 or book an appointment for more details |
For people looking for simple and cheap teeth cleaning such as scaling and polishing, one of the most affordable options for dental work is none other than your friendly neighbourhood polyclinic, which offers subsidised dental treatment and care.
You can book a dentist appointment at SingHealth and National Healthcare Group (NHG) polyclinics online so you don’t have to queue up physically.
For National University Polyclinics (NUP), you can book an appointment via:
Or by calling the NUP Contact Centre at 6663 6847
Clinic |
Charges |
SingHealth |
Consultation (by appointment) |
NUP (National University Polyclinics) |
Consultation (by appointment) Children and elderly: S$11.70 to S$18.50 |
NHG (National Health Group Polyclinics) |
Singaporean adults: S$17.50 to S$29.50 Children and elderly: S$11.20 to S$17.80 |
Do note that NHG Dental Clinics charge a refundable Dental Appointment Deposit (DAD) of S$8 when you book your appointment. This is done to discourage no-shows. DAD will be forfeited should you fail to reschedule your dental appointment within 24 months from your last visit.
With a wide network of clinics spread all over the island, there’s a high chance you can find an outlet near you. As not all SingHealth, NHG and NUP polyclinics offer dental services, do check online for an outlet near you. Be aware that polyclinics are also usually very crowded, and may have long waiting times.
SingHealth Polyclinics
1 Tampines Street 41, Singapore 529203
11 Bedok North Street 1, Singapore 469662
681 Punggol Drive, Singapore 820681
NUP (National University Polyclinics)
190 Jurong East Avenue 1, Singapore 609788
580 Stirling Road, Singapore 149858
NHG (National Healthcare Group Polyclinics)
21 Ang Mo Kio Central 2, Singapore 529666
21 Geylang East Central, Singapore 389707
2003 Toa Payoh Lor 8, Singapore 319260
10 Woodlands Street 31, Singapore 738579
89 Hougang Avenue 4, Singapore 538829
Contact: 6643 6969 (SingHealth) / 6355 3000 (NHG) / 6663 6847 (NUP)
Here’s another option for affordable dental care. The NUS Faculty of Dentistry or S.M.I.L.E Clinics @ FOD offers a full suite of dental care services to members of the public at lower-than-market prices.
The catch? The people poking around in your mouth are dentistry students in the third and final year of their training instead of full-fledged dentists. But worry not, as these undergraduates and postgraduates are fully supervised by qualified orthodontists and their peers.
Think of it this way: not only will you be receiving proper dental care at budget-friendly rates, you’ll also be helping to train the next generation of dentists.
The treatment at NUS Faculty of Dentistry includes:
Fillings
Scaling and gum treatment
Extractions
Crowns
Bridges
Dentures
Root canal treatment
Minor oral surgery (e.g. wisdom teeth extractions)
Oral health education and other preventive services
To inquire about the cost of their dental services or if you want to arrange an appointment, please email them at the address below.
Address: National University Centre for Oral Health, 9 Lower Kent Ridge Road, Singapore 119085
E-mail: Smileclinic@nus.edu.sg
Operating hours: 8am - 12.30pm (Weekdays) | 2pm - 5pm (Mon to Thurs only) | Closed on weekends
Perhaps one of the most prolific private dental groups in Singapore (you’ve definitely seen their green-on-white logo at least once or twice in Singapore), Q&M Dental Group is also among the most budget-friendly.
They aren’t the cheapest for every kind of treatment, but with a grand total of 65 clinics throughout Singapore (many conveniently nestled in HDB heartlands), the convenience of visiting an outlet tends to make up for it.
From S$21.80 for general consultation
From S$54.50 for consultation with a specialist
From S$87.20
Blk 717 Woodlands Drive 70 #01-114, Singapore 730717
Blk 113 Aljunied Avenue 2, #01-11, Singapore 380113
Blk 316B Ang Mo Kio Street 31, #01-07, Singapore 563316
Blk 726 Ang Mo Kio Avenue 6, #01-4148, Singapore 560726
Blk 157 Ang Mo Kio Ave 4, #01-580, Singapore 560157
627 Balestier Road, Singapore 329916
311 New Upper Changi Road #02-01, Bedok Mall, Singapore 467360
Blk 219 Bedok Central, #01-136, Singapore 460219
Blk 632 Bedok Reservoir Road, #01-842, Singapore 470632
Blk 502 Bishan Street 11, #01-350, Singapore 570502
301 Boon Lay Way, #01-05, Boon Lay MRT Station, Singapore 649846
Blk 111 Lorong 1 Toa Payoh #01-360, Singapore 310111
Bright Smile Dental Surgery (Subsidiary clinic), 10 Sengkang Central #01-02, Singapore 545061
200 Victoria Street #02-28, Bugis Junction, Singapore 188021
Blk 151 Bukit Batok St 11 #01-252, Singapore 650151
Blk 257 Bangkit Road #01-47, Singapore 670257
Check out the full list of locations here.
A group of 18 dental clinics with over 50 chairs, NTUC Health Denticare is part of NTUC Health, Singapore’s largest healthcare cooperative. This means NTUC Health Denticare is another great option for budget-friendly dental care.
They offer among the lowest prices for almost across the board – from scaling and polishing, extraction and filling to take-home teeth whitening. But do remember that dental care is highly personalised, and charges vary depending on the actual condition of your teeth. You may have to pay higher fees, especially if you haven’t been keeping up with your visits.
S$25 to S$35 for general consultation
S$40 to S$90 for consultation with a specialist
18 Yishun Ave 9, #02-11 Junction 9, Singapore 768897
300 Tampines Avenue 5, #01-05 Tampines Junction, Singapore 529653
220 Orchard Road, #02-12 Midpoint Orchard, Singapore 238852
Check out the full list of locations here.
Don’t underestimate the importance of providing young children with a good dental experience. Most adults would vouch for those days back in school when they felt traumatised by the school nurse who used to be in charge of dental programmes. Seeing your classmate disappear for an hour, only to come back crying with a bloody mouth tends to give you nightmares about going to the dentist.
If your child is finicky about going to the dentist, you might want to give Azure Dental a try. This Bukit Timah dental clinic prides itself on providing family-friendly dental care, with a focus on catering to the needs of children. They even go the distance of providing booster seats for your little ones, ensuring they are as comfortable as possible.
Price-wise, Azure Dental isn’t exactly the cheapest. But if their gentle ways may successfully instil healthy oral hygiene habits in kids, think of the money you’ll save down the road.
From S$32
From S$100
Address: 781 Bukit Timah Road, Singapore 269759
Contact: 6463 6318 / 8655 1552 (WhatsApp only)
This affordable dental clinic not only promises quality care, they also invest in Digital Dentistry to make your next visit to the dentist less dreary, with computer software and a clinic decked out with television screens and music for your comfort.
From S$40 for general consultation
From S$65
Address: 1 Stadium Pl, #01-08, Singapore 397628
Contact: 9863 6462
The mecca of aesthetics clinics and specialist consultants, Orchard Road seems to be an unlikely option for affordable dental care. But if you happen to be working or living there, and don’t want to commute for more affordable dental care, then Parkway Dental Practice is one dental clinic you’d want to visit.
With scaling and polishing going for between S$80 to S$160, dental care doesn’t get any cheaper than this. Even its take-home tooth-whitening kit is comparable to the prices charged at neighbourhood clinics. And, if you’re a first-timer, don’t forget to ask for the dental screening package, which consists of scaling, polishing and dental x-ray, all for just S$88 nett.
Address: 9 Scotts Road #12-02, Pacific Plaza, Singapore 228210
Contact: 6836 9808
Another dental clinic with islandwide locations, Advanced Dental Group has 13 CHAS and Medisave Accredited dental clinics. With prices starting on the lower end of the spectrum, Advanced Dental Group is great for those looking to maintain your mouth hygiene without breaking the bank.
Less than 10 minutes |
Longer than 10 minutes |
|
General consultation |
S$20 to S$40 |
S$50 to S$70 |
Specialist consultation |
S$50 to S$80 |
S$90 to S$180 |
Scaling and polishing |
S$70 to S$100 |
Advanced Dental Group locations
Blk 25 Bendemeer Road #01-567, Singapore 330025
258 Bukit Panjang Ring Road #01-60, Bukit Panjang New Town, Singapore 670258
Blk 482 Tampines St 43 #01-238, Singapore 520482
Check out the full list of locations here.
B9 Dental Centre provides a holistic range of services to cater to every step of dental care from checkup to treatment. Besides providing general restorative dentistry, Dr. Lim's expertise extends to cosmetic dentistry as well.
The folks at B9 Dental is dedicated to providing affordable access to quality dental care through top-notch expertise, innovative technologies and holistic services.
They are touted as one among four dental units in Singapore who have invested in a revolutionary dental imaging system — KaVo i-CAT Tomography 3D e-Xam — that results in high quality, thorough diagnostic information and reduced radiation exposure to patients.
From S$60 for consultation, scaling and polishing
Address: 5 clinics islandwide
Located strategically at the Ngee Ann City Penthouse overlooking Orchard Road, the team of friendly General Dentists and Specialists at TP Dental are here to help you with your dental needs.
Open 363 days a year (yes, even on Sundays!) and with telephone, instant messaging and email bookings, making your appointment with them is a hassle-free experience.
Got an emergency? TP Dental's got your back. With an after office hours emergency service, they remain 24/7 connected and available to you as well. For inquiries on prices, please contact them via their number below or book an appointment directly with them.
TBC
Contact: 6737 9011
Address: 391b Orchard Road #26-01, Ngee Ann City, Tower B, 238874
You would’ve heard of Singaporeans hopping over to Malaysia to get dental procedures done. Some people may find it ridiculous, but hey, that’s a tonne of money saved.
But if you don't want to go through that hassle, here are some ways you can save on your dental appointment:
Keep your dental costs low by making use of your CHAS, Pioneer or Merdeka Generation cards to get discounted treatments at various GPs and participating dental clinics. Simply look out for the logos of these subsidy cards at your clinic.
Some companies, including Singsaver, offer their employees medical and dental benefits such as scaling and polishing under their group insurance policy. So do remember to check the details of your corporate health insurance plan before forking out the money yourself.
Many credit cards in Singapore exclude medical expenses from their list of exclusions. However, there are still some credit cards that can earn you points or cashback on your dental treatment.
Since dental treatments can cost a bomb, you don't want to make things worse by paying with the wrong credit card.
So, without ado, here are the best credit cards to pay for your dental treatments.
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