Numbers Who Seek Dental Healthcare and Review of Subsidy for Dental Services

NOTICE PAPER NO. 2877 

NOTICE OF QUESTION FOR ORAL ANSWER

FOR THE SITTING OF PARLIAMENT ON 2 JULY 2024

Name and Constituency of Member of Parliament

Miss Cheryl Chan Wei Ling

MP for East Coast GRC

Question No. 6235

To ask the Minister for Health (a) what is the percentage of Singapore citizens (i) below 50 years old and (ii) above 50 years old, who have sought dental treatment in 2012 as compared to 2023 respectively; (b) whether the Ministry tracks the dental benefits that employees are offered, especially for senior employees; and (c) when will the Ministry next conduct a review of the current subsidy and regulatory framework for dental services.

Written Answer

1     The proportion of Singapore Residents who visited a dentist in the past 12 months remained stable from 2019 to 2023. We do not have statistics before 2019. Among those aged 18 to 49 years old, the proportion increased slightly from 59.4% in 2019 to 61.6% in 2023. Among those aged 50 to 74 years old, the proportion remained stable between 53.0% and 53.7% in the period 2019 to 2023.

2     MOH does not track dental benefits enjoyed by private sector employees.  Public sector employees enjoy $120 of dental benefits at outpatient settings per year, and these are reviewed periodically by the Public Service Division.

3     The regulations for outpatient dental services were reviewed and promulgated under the Healthcare Services Regulations in June 2023. MOH reviews dental policies, including financing, from time to time.