Can You Use MediSave for Dental in Singapore? (2026 Complete Guide)

What’s covered, what’s not, and the MediSave withdrawal limits for dental — verified against CPF Board data.

Most dental procedures in Singapore cannot be paid with MediSave. Routine work — check-ups, fillings, scaling, simple extractions, and braces — is entirely out of pocket. However, MediSave can be used for selected surgical dental procedures, including the surgical removal of impacted wisdom teeth and jaw surgery, subject to CPF’s withdrawal limits. Singaporeans aged 60 and above have additional coverage from mid-2026.

Not financial advice. All figures are for educational reference only. Data verified as at 1 November 2026, sourced from CPF Board official publications.

Table of Contents

Quick Answer: Can I Use MediSave for Dental?

The short answer is yes, but only for selected surgical dental procedures. MediSave cannot be used for the vast majority of everyday dental work. The key distinction is between surgical procedures (which qualify) and non-surgical procedures (which generally do not, unless you are aged 60 or above from mid-2026).

To understand what is MediSave and how your CPF healthcare account works more broadly, see our dedicated guide. In summary: MediSave is designed primarily for hospitalisation, surgery, and selected outpatient treatments — most dental care falls outside this scope because it is not considered medically critical in the same way.

Source: CPF Board, November 2026

Dental Procedures That Qualify for MediSave

MediSave can be used for complex surgical dental procedures performed for medical reasons at a MediSave-accredited dental clinic or hospital. The procedure must be listed in the Ministry of Health’s Table of Surgical Procedures (TOSP).

Source: CPF Board, MOH Table of Surgical Procedures, November 2026

Key rule: The procedure must be classified as a surgery or day surgery under the MOH’s TOSP. Confirm with your dentist or oral surgeon before proceeding — the clinic must be MediSave-accredited. Not all private dental clinics accept MediSave.

For a broader look at what else your MediSave can pay for, see our guide on MediSave-approved medical treatments.

Dental Procedures NOT Covered by MediSave

The following common dental treatments cannot be paid for using MediSave, regardless of how much you have in your account (unless the age-60 exception applies):

• Routine check-ups and consultations
• Scaling and polishing
• Tooth fillings (amalgam or composite)
• Simple tooth extraction (non-surgical, fully erupted tooth)
• Dentures (partial or full)
• Braces and orthodontic treatment (including Invisalign / clear aligners)
• Root canal treatment — not covered for those under age 60; covered under Flexi-MediSave for those 60 and above from mid-2026
• Permanent crowns — same age exception as root canals
• Teeth whitening
• Veneers

Many Singaporeans assume that any dental work can be paid from their CPF healthcare account — but the reality is that most dental visits remain fully out-of-pocket expenses. If you are concerned about your MediSave balance, our MediSave for day surgery guide explains how the account is used in practice.

MediSave Withdrawal Limits for Dental Surgery

When a surgical dental procedure qualifies for MediSave, the amount you can claim is determined by the MOH Table of Surgical Procedures (TOSP). The limits were last updated on 1 April 2025. There are three components to the MediSave claim for dental surgery:

Source: CPF Board MediSave Withdrawal Limits, effective 1 April 2025

Wisdom Tooth Surgical Extraction: A Worked Example

Surgical extraction of an impacted wisdom tooth is the most common MediSave dental claim. Here is an illustrative example of how the MediSave offset might work for a private dental clinic procedure:

Illustrative example based on published CPF Board limits, November 2026. Actual amount depends on the TOSP table your surgeon assigns. Always confirm with your clinic before proceeding.

The actual MediSave offset depends on the TOSP table your oral surgeon assigns to the procedure. For more complex oral surgeries, the surgical limit can be higher. The payment is capped at the actual amount charged. You can use the CPF MediSave claims calculator to estimate your specific entitlement.

Flexi-MediSave: Special Dental Benefits for Ages 60 and Above

From mid-2026, Singaporeans aged 60 and above can use their Flexi-MediSave withdrawal limit to pay for selected non-surgical dental procedures — the first time MediSave has been made available for non-surgical dental work for most Singaporeans. This was announced in Budget 2025.

Key details of Flexi-MediSave for dental (from mid-2026):

• Available to Singaporeans and PRs aged 60 and above
• Covers: permanent crowns and root canal treatment at CHAS dental clinics and public healthcare institutions
• Annual withdrawal limit: up to S$400 per year
• Can also use spouse’s MediSave if the spouse is also aged 60 or above
• Does NOT cover: braces, dentures, cosmetic work, scaling, polishing

For those approaching age 60, this is worth factoring into your retirement planning. Dental costs for older Singaporeans — especially crowns and root canals — can be substantial, and the Flexi-MediSave provision helps offset these costs at enrolled CHAS clinics.

How to Claim MediSave for Dental Procedures

If your dental procedure qualifies for MediSave, here is how the claim process typically works:

1. Confirm the clinic is MediSave-accredited. Not all dental clinics accept MediSave. Check with the clinic before booking and ask if the specific procedure is claimable.
2. Ask for the TOSP code. Before agreeing to treatment, ask your dentist which TOSP table the procedure falls under — this determines your withdrawal limit.
3. Authorise MediSave use at the clinic. You will need your NRIC and CPF details. The clinic submits the MediSave claim to CPF Board directly on your behalf.
4. Pay any shortfall out-of-pocket. MediSave covers only up to the approved limits. Any amount above the limits must be paid in cash or via other means.
5. Check your CPF statement. After the procedure, verify the deduction on your CPF account statement to confirm the amount charged.

For a step-by-step look at how MediSave works for hospital-based procedures, see our MediSave hospitalisation step-by-step guide. The process is similar, though dental claims are handled directly by the dental clinic rather than the hospital.

What About CHAS Subsidies for Dental?

For non-surgical dental work — the kind MediSave cannot cover — CHAS (Community Health Assist Scheme) provides subsidies at enrolled dental clinics. CHAS operates separately from MediSave and is means-tested based on per capita household income.

There are three main CHAS tiers: CHAS Blue (per capita monthly household income of S$1,100 or below), CHAS Orange (S$1,101 to S$2,600), and CHAS Green (available to all Singapore Citizens). Pioneer Generation and Merdeka Generation card holders receive enhanced subsidies on top of their CHAS tier. Subsidy amounts vary by procedure type and are updated periodically — check the official CHAS website for current rates at enrolled clinics.

Note that CHAS subsidies and MediSave are not mutually exclusive for surgical procedures — if you are a CHAS card holder undergoing a MediSave-eligible surgery, both can apply. For more on understanding your CPF MediSave account, our dedicated guide covers how MediSave works across all healthcare categories.

Frequently Asked Questions

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