MOH working to improve polyclinic dental care

28 March 2013, Straits Times

18-month wait for polyclinic dental treatment

I VISITED a dentist at Jurong Polyclinic on Nov 2, 2011, and had a partially broken molar tooth filled.

I was shocked to be given a follow-up appointment for scaling and polishing on May 7 this year - a gap of 11/2 years. I was told this was because there were too many patients seeking appointments.

I resigned myself to the long wait . However, the filling in my tooth came off recently.

Being in pain, I called the polyclinic to request that my dental appointment be brought forward, but was told there were no available slots.

The operator advised me to keep calling to check if anyone cancelled an appointment, so I could take that slot.

I was also told to check with the dentist if he would cap my broken tooth, as my next appointment wasfor scaling.

I was also dismayed to know that treatment was carried out by oral hygiene therapists, and not dentists.

We are advised to see the dentist every six months, so why are polyclinic appointments spaced so far apart?

This was not the case five years ago. Then, patients could have their teeth scaled, polished and filled all at the same appointment.

I hope the Health Ministry will raise the standard of public dental services, and also look into offering subsidised dental treatment at selected private clinics to ease the crunch at public clinics.

Sundram Muthiah

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Reply from MOH

5 April 2013, Straits Times

MOH working to improve polyclinic dental care

In his letter ("18-month wait for polyclinic dental treatment"; March 28), Mr Sundram Muthiah asked the Ministry of Health to look into ways to ease the wait for polyclinic dental services, including offering subsidised treatment at private dental clinics.

It is good practice to undergo dental checks at least once a year for good oral health. We understand that Mr Sundram had made an appointment for scaling and polishing during his visit to Jurong Polyclinic in July last year, and was given an appointment for May this year, which is within a one-year timeframe.

Indeed, the demand for subsidised dental care has increased over the years. In response, we have instituted measures to improve the capacity and responsiveness of our subsidised dental services.

At polyclinics and many private dental clinics, registered oral health therapists, who are trained and experienced health-care professionals, work with dentists to perform basic dental services like scaling and polishing. This helps to shorten the waiting times for standard procedures.

We are also gradually increasing the annual intake for dentistry students at the National University of Singapore, from the current 53 to 80 by 2020, to meet the increase in demand for dental services.

Besides the polyclinics, Singaporeans can also access subsidised dental care at more than 290 private dental clinics islandwide under the Community Health Assist Scheme.

With the liberalisation of the scheme in January last year, lower- and middle-income Singaporeans aged 40 and above can receive subsidies for various dental services at private dental clinics, ranging from scaling and polishing to more complex procedures such as crowns, dentures and root canal treatment.

We hope to have more private dental clinics come on board the scheme, to make it easier for Singaporeans to access subsidised dental services.

We thank Mr Sundram for his feedback, and we will continue to monitor and manage the waiting times for subsidised dental services closely.

Bey Mui Leng (Ms)

Director, Corporate Communications

Ministry of Health