Dental subsidies for seniors in Singapore: how Pioneer, Merdeka, CHAS and MediSave help
By the Smileplus Dental team · Last updated: 22 October 2026
Short answer: Seniors in Singapore can lower their dental bills in three main ways. A Pioneer Generation, Merdeka Generation or Blue CHAS card brings a dental crown at Smileplus Dental down from $920 to $300, and subsidies may also apply to dentures. MediSave covers the surgical part of implant treatment, for example MediSave $1,950 and Cash $650 for a single implant with crown. And if you're 60 or above, you can use up to $400 of Flexi-MediSave towards a dental crown. Our team checks your card and confirms the amount you pay before any treatment starts.
Which subsidy schemes can seniors use for dental treatment?
There are a few schemes, and they cover different things:
Pioneer Generation (PG) – Who it's for: Singaporeans born in 1949 or earlier who received the PG package; What it helps with at Smileplus Dental: Subsidised crowns and dentures
Merdeka Generation (MG) – Who it's for: Singaporeans born from 1950 to 1959 who received the MG package; What it helps with at Smileplus Dental: Subsidised crowns and dentures
CHAS (Blue, and other tiers) – Who it's for: Singapore Citizens who qualify by household income; What it helps with at Smileplus Dental: Subsidised crowns and dentures; the amount depends on your card tier
MediSave – Who it's for: Singapore Citizens and PRs with MediSave savings; What it helps with at Smileplus Dental: Surgical procedures such as implant surgery
Flexi-MediSave – Who it's for: MediSave account holders aged 60 and above; What it helps with at Smileplus Dental: Up to $400 towards a dental crown, subject to CPF rules
You can usually use a subsidy card together with MediSave in the same course of treatment, because they pay for different parts of it. Our team explains exactly which part each one covers when we give you your quote.
How much do crowns, dentures and implants cost for seniors?
Here's what treatment costs at Smileplus Dental, and how it's paid:
Dental crown, no subsidy card – Price: $920; How it's paid: Cash (Flexi-MediSave up to $400 if 60+)
Dental crown with PG, MG or Blue CHAS – Price: $300; How it's paid: Cash after subsidy
Simple denture – Price: $250; How it's paid: Cash; subsidies may apply
Complex denture – Price: $350; How it's paid: Cash; subsidies may apply
Single dental implant with crown – Price: $2,600; How it's paid: MediSave $1,950 + Cash $650
Implant-supported denture – Price: $750 for the denture + about $6,000 for the implants; How it's paid: Denture in cash, implants from MediSave
Prices are nett. Hougang branch prices are subject to GST. Your final price is confirmed after the dentist examines you.
Can I use MediSave for dentures or crowns?
MediSave is meant for surgical procedures. That's why:
Regular dentures are paid in cash, because making and fitting a denture doesn't involve surgery. Subsidies from PG, MG or CHAS can lower that cash amount if you're eligible.
Crowns on your own teeth are also paid in cash, but if you're 60 or above you can use up to $400 of Flexi-MediSave towards one.
Dental implants involve surgery, so the surgical portion can be claimed: MediSave $1,950 and Cash $650 for a single implant with crown.
Implant-supported dentures split the same way: about $6,000 from MediSave for the implants and $750 in cash for the denture.
For a fuller breakdown of what MediSave covers, see our guide Can I use MediSave for dental treatment in Singapore?
Should I choose dentures or implants?
Both replace missing teeth, and the right one depends on your gums, bone, health and budget. Here's how they compare in cost and in day-to-day use:
How it stays in – Regular denture: Rests on your gums; Implant-supported denture: Clips onto implants in the jaw
Surgery needed – Regular denture: No; Implant-supported denture: Yes, to place the implants
Cost at Smileplus Dental – Regular denture: $250 simple or $350 complex, cash; Implant-supported denture: $750 cash + about $6,000 MediSave
Subsidies – Regular denture: PG, MG or CHAS may apply; Implant-supported denture: Implant portion from MediSave
Many people start with a regular denture because it's the lower cash outlay, and some later move to an implant-supported denture for a more secure fit. The dentist will go through the options that suit your mouth. You can read more about implant-supported dentures and their cost.
What should I bring to my appointment?
To make sure you get every subsidy you're eligible for:
Your NRIC, which lets our team check your PG, MG or CHAS status.
Your CHAS card, if you have one.
A list of your medications and any medical conditions, since the dentist needs these before planning treatment.
If you'd like a family member to help pay with their MediSave, let us know beforehand so we can explain what's needed.
Our team will tell you the subsidy amount and what you'll pay before treatment begins, so there are no surprises on the day.
How often can I get subsidised dentures?
Government subsidies for dentures come with claim limits, including how often a new denture can be subsidised for the same jaw. If you've had a subsidised denture recently, our team will check your eligibility and let you know before any work starts.
Where is Smileplus Dental?
Hougang – Address: 684 Hougang Ave 8, #01-989, Singapore 530684; WhatsApp: 9475 5508
Redhill / Bukit Merah – Address: 122 Bukit Merah Lane 1, #01-66, Singapore 150122; WhatsApp: 9325 5530
Opening hours (both branches): Monday to Friday 9:30am to 6:30pm, Saturday 9:30am to 1:30pm, closed on Sundays and public holidays.
Want to know what you'd pay with your card? WhatsApp our Hougang Branch at 9475 5508 or our Redhill Branch at 9325 5530 to book a consultation, or see our Dental Crowns page and Implant-Supported Dentures page for more details.
Frequently asked questions
Do Pioneer and Merdeka Generation cards cover dental treatment?
Yes. At Smileplus Dental, a dental crown is $300 with a Pioneer Generation or Merdeka Generation card, instead of $920. Subsidies may also apply to dentures, and our team confirms the amount before treatment.
How much is a dental crown for seniors with CHAS?
With a Blue CHAS card, a dental crown at Smileplus Dental is $300. Other CHAS tiers may still receive a subsidy, which our team checks when you visit.
Can seniors use MediSave for dental treatment?
Yes, for surgical procedures. A single implant with crown at Smileplus Dental is $2,600, made up of $1,950 from MediSave and $650 in cash. If you're 60 or above, you can also use up to $400 of Flexi-MediSave towards a dental crown.
Are dentures claimable from MediSave?
Regular dentures are generally not, because fitting them doesn't involve surgery. At Smileplus Dental they cost $250 (simple) or $350 (complex) in cash, and PG, MG or CHAS subsidies may lower that.
How much do implant-supported dentures cost for seniors?
At Smileplus Dental, an implant-supported denture is $750 in cash for the denture, plus about $6,000 from MediSave for the implants. The final amount is confirmed after a consultation.
What do I need to bring to get my subsidy?
Bring your NRIC and your CHAS card if you have one. Our team uses these to check your eligibility and tells you what you'll pay before treatment.
Are the subsidies deducted from my MediSave?
No. Pioneer Generation, Merdeka Generation and CHAS subsidies are taken off your bill directly and don’t come from your MediSave account. MediSave is only used if you choose to claim it for treatments like implants. These subsidies are funded by the Singapore government through the Ministry of Health. The clinic deducts them from your bill when you show your card, then claims the amount back from the government.
Polyclinic or private CHAS clinic: what will I pay?
CHAS, Pioneer Generation (PG) and Merdeka Generation (MG) subsidies are paid by the government through MOH. You can use them at polyclinics and at private CHAS dental clinics such as Smileplus. At a private clinic, you pay the clinic fee minus the CHAS subsidy, and the subsidy is not taken from your MediSave. Here's how the costs compare.
| Treatment | Polyclinic (Singapore citizen, 65+) | Smileplus, after subsidy | What this means |
|---|---|---|---|
| Permanent crown | Offered for simple cases only. Fees are not published online; ask the polyclinic for a quote. | $920 before subsidy. $300 with Blue CHAS, MG or PG. Orange CHAS: subsidy of up to $410 applies (about $510 to pay). Aged 60+: up to $400 Flexi-MediSave a year can reduce the cash part further. | We can't compare directly because polyclinic crown fees aren't published. |
| Complete denture (upper or lower) | Complex dentures are usually referred to a hospital or national dental centre. Fees are not published online. | $350 (complex). Orange CHAS: $300–$400. | Unclear, because polyclinic fees aren't published. |
| Partial denture | Simple dentures (5 teeth or fewer) offered. Fees are not published online. | $250 (simple). $250–$300 with Blue CHAS, MG or PG. | Unclear, because polyclinic fees aren't published. |
| Simple extraction | $16.40–$30.50 (SingHealth Polyclinics, elderly citizen) | $30 before subsidy. CHAS subsidies may reduce this further. Same-day appointments available. | Prices are similar, but Smileplus can see you the same day. |
| Wisdom tooth surgery | Usually referred to a hospital or national dental centre. | $1,500, fully MediSave claimable. | Not directly comparable. |
| Dental implant | Not offered at polyclinics. | MediSave $1,950 + Cash $650 | Available at Smileplus without a referral. |
| Implant-supported denture | Not offered at polyclinics. | Cash $750 (denture) + about MediSave $6,000 (implants and alveoloplasty) | Available at Smileplus. |
| Waiting time | Median about 3 months for a new non-emergency appointment (MOH). Usually 1 treatment per visit. | Same-day appointments for simple treatment such as extractions. WhatsApp us for the next slot. | Private clinics are usually quicker. |
Polyclinic figures are a guide only and include GST. At GST-registered CHAS clinics, GST is added to the fee before the CHAS subsidy is taken off. Your final cost depends on your dentist's assessment.
Common questions about CHAS
Can I use my CHAS card at a private dental clinic?
Yes. CHAS works at more than 900 private dental clinics that join the scheme, not just at polyclinics. Look for the CHAS logo, or check the clinic finder at chas.sg. The subsidy is taken off your bill right away, so you only pay the balance.
Which card colour gets how much?
Pioneer Generation gets the most, then Merdeka Generation, then CHAS Blue, then CHAS Orange. For a crown, for example, the subsidy is up to $625 (PG), $620 (MG), $615 (Blue) or $410 (Orange). For a complete denture, it's up to $418.50, $413.50, $408.50 or $272.50. CHAS Green cards don't cover dental treatment.
What do I need to bring?
Bring your NRIC and your CHAS, PG or MG card. If your card has expired, renew it at chas.sg first, because the subsidy only applies while your card is valid. For crowns and dentures, the treatment must also be finished before your card expires.
Do I need a referral, and how often can I claim?
No referral is needed. Just make an appointment at a CHAS dental clinic. There are yearly limits: up to 4 crowns and 4 extractions a year, and 1 upper plus 1 lower denture every 3 years. Your dentist will check whether your treatment qualifies.
Polyclinic or private clinic: which is better for me?
For a simple extraction, prices are similar: $30 at Smileplus, with CHAS subsidies on top, and we offer same-day appointments. At a polyclinic, new appointments can take around 3 months, usually only 1 treatment is done per visit, and complex crowns or dentures may be referred elsewhere. At a private CHAS clinic, the higher subsidies for crowns and dentures can bring the cost down a lot, and you can usually be seen sooner. Ask for a quote first so you can compare before you decide. WhatsApp Hougang Branch [94755508] or Redhill Branch [93255530].
This article provides general information about costs and subsidies and is not a substitute for a dental consultation. Scheme rules are set by the government and can change; prices are correct as of the last-updated date.
