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Home / Dental Costs & Subsidies
CHAS Dental Subsidies in Singapore (2026): What's Covered and What You'll Actually Pay
Written by NoFrills Dental clinical team
Updated 06/08/2026
In 2026, a CHAS Blue card takes up to $584.50 off a molar root canal, up to $615 off a permanent crown and up to $30 off scaling at CHAS dental clinics. CHAS Orange, Merdeka Generation and Pioneer Generation cards have their own rates, most of them raised on 1 October 2025. The part most patients really want to know is the second half: what you actually pay after the subsidy comes off. This guide lays out the full 2026 subsidy table, the yearly claim limits, and a worked example of a real bill.
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- Subsidies for seven restorative procedures rose on 1 October 2025, and CHAS Orange cardholders now get ten basic procedures subsidised too
- Claim limits apply per calendar year: 2 root canal treatments, 4 crowns, 6 fillings, 4 extractions
- From mid-2026, seniors aged 60 and above can add up to $400 a year through Flexi-MediSave for root canals and permanent crowns
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Who gets CHAS dental subsidies in 2026
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Every Singapore Citizen can apply for CHAS, but the card you receive depends on your household's monthly income per person. CHAS Blue is for households earning $1,500 or less per person; CHAS Orange covers $1,501 to $2,300. Households with no income are assessed on the Annual Value of their home instead. Merdeka Generation and Pioneer Generation cards are issued by birth cohort and carry the highest dental subsidies of all.
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Two things catch people out. First, CHAS Green (income above $2,300 per person) does not come with dental subsidies; at the dentist, subsidies apply to Blue, Orange, Merdeka Generation and Pioneer Generation cards only. Second, CHAS is not automatic: you need to apply online with Singpass, and cards are typically valid for two years before renewal. If you hold a Public Assistance card, you already receive full CHAS subsidies without applying.
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NoFrills Dental sees CHAS, Merdeka Generation and Pioneer Generation patients at all four of our clinics, so the rates below are the ones you would see on your own bill.
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CHAS dental subsidy rates in 2026
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The Ministry of Health raised the subsidy caps for seven restorative procedures on 1 October 2025 and extended basic procedure subsidies to CHAS Orange for the first time. MOH also published fee benchmarks showing what private CHAS clinics typically charge, so you can sanity-check any quote. Both are reflected in the tables below.
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Basic and preventive procedures first. These cover the routine visits: check-ups, scaling and polishing, fillings and simple extractions.
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| Procedure | Typical fee (MOH benchmark) | Pioneer | Merdeka | Blue | Orange |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Consultation | $21-$31 | $30.50 | $25.50 | $20.50 | $13.50 |
| Scaling | $35-$60 | $40.00 | $35.00 | $30.00 | $20.00 |
| Polishing | $26-$38 | $30.50 | $25.50 | $20.50 | $13.50 |
| Topical fluoride | $21-$31 | $30.50 | $25.50 | $20.50 | $13.50 |
| X-ray (per film) | $16-$33 | $21.00 | $16.00 | $11.00 | $7.50 |
| Extraction (front tooth) | $70-$120 | $38.50 | $33.50 | $28.50 | $19.00 |
| Extraction (back tooth) | $93-$164 | $78.50 | $73.50 | $68.50 | $45.50 |
| Filling (simple) | $65-$160 | $40.00 | $35.00 | $30.00 | $20.00 |
| Filling (complex) | $80-$180 | $60.00 | $55.00 | $50.00 | $33.50 |
| Re-cementation of crown | $70-$131 | $45.00 | $40.00 | $35.00 | $23.50 |
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Maximum subsidy per claim. Source: Ministry of Health, 1 September 2025.
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The bigger money is in restorative work. This is where the October 2025 increases landed, and where the subsidies now make a visible dent in the bill for root canal treatment, permanent crowns and dentures.
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| Procedure | Typical fee (MOH benchmark) | Pioneer | Merdeka | Blue | Orange |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Permanent crown | $750-$1,400 | $625.00 | $620.00 | $615.00 | $410.00 |
| Root canal (front tooth) | $400-$775 | $336.00 | $331.00 | $326.00 | $217.50 |
| Root canal (premolar) | $500-$900 | $472.50 | $467.50 | $462.50 | $308.50 |
| Root canal (molar) | $872-$1,400 | $594.50 | $589.50 | $584.50 | $389.50 |
| Complete denture (upper or lower) | $500-$818 | $418.50 | $413.50 | $408.50 | $272.50 |
| Partial denture, simple | $320-$603 | $314.00 | $309.00 | $304.00 | $202.50 |
| Partial denture, complex | $450-$750 | $395.50 | $390.50 | $385.50 | $257.00 |
| Denture reline or repair | $80-$150 | $85.00 | $80.00 | $75.00 | $50.00 |
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Maximum subsidy per claim. Source: Ministry of Health, 1 September 2025; fee benchmarks at moh.gov.sg.
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What you'll actually pay: a worked example
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Say you hold a CHAS Blue card and need a molar root canal, the priciest of the root canal treatments. MOH's benchmark says private CHAS clinics typically charge $872 to $1,400 for it. Here is how a $1,000 bill would break down:
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| Molar root canal treatment (fee within MOH benchmark) | $1,000.00 |
| CHAS Blue subsidy (maximum per claim) | −$584.50 |
| What you pay after CHAS | $415.50 |
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Illustrative only: assumes a $1,000 fee and the full Blue subsidy for a completed molar root canal. If the clinic is GST-registered, GST is added to the fee before the subsidy is deducted. Actual fees depend on your case; we'll give you the exact breakdown before any treatment starts.
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From mid-2026 the same bill can shrink further. Seniors aged 60 and above can use Flexi-MediSave to offset up to $400 a year for root canal treatments and permanent crowns at CHAS dental clinics, which could bring the cash portion of this example down towards $15.50. One timing rule to note: for multi-visit procedures such as root canals, crowns and dentures, the CHAS subsidy is claimed once the procedure is completed, so budget for the full course rather than per visit.
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Claim limits to know before you book
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CHAS subsidies are capped per calendar year, and some limits are shared across a family of procedures. The dentist also has to assess that each claim meets the CHAS clinical guidelines, so a listed procedure is not an automatic entitlement.
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| Procedure | Claim limit per calendar year |
|---|---|
| Consultation | 2 (at least 6 months apart) |
| Scaling, polishing, topical fluoride | 2 each |
| X-rays | 6 |
| Extractions (all types combined) | 4 |
| Fillings (all types combined) | 6 |
| Root canal treatments (all types combined) | 2 |
| Permanent crowns | 4 |
| Re-cementation | 2 |
| Denture reline or repair | 1 upper + 1 lower |
| Dentures (complete or partial) | 1 upper + 1 lower per 3 calendar years |
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Source: CHAS, Dental Services.
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You can check how many claims you have left this year by logging in to MyCHAS with Singpass. If you are not sure whether a treatment you are planning will qualify, ask the clinic before you start; every CHAS dental clinic must give you an itemised bill showing the fee, the subsidy claimed and what you pay.
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How to use your CHAS card at NoFrills Dental
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- Book a visit at any of our clinics (Suntec City, Marina Square, Marine Parade, Tanjong Katong) and mention that you are a CHAS, Merdeka Generation or Pioneer Generation cardholder.
- Bring your card and NRIC on the day; both are needed at registration for the subsidy to be applied.
- Ask for the itemised quote before treatment starts. CHAS clinics display the MOH fee benchmarks next to their price lists, so you can compare on the spot. If you plan to use Medisave for a surgical procedure, or Flexi-MediSave from mid-2026, ask our front desk when you book and we will walk you through what applies to your case.
- Pay only the balance. The clinic claims the subsidy for you; for multi-visit treatments the claim goes in when the procedure is completed.
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Want your exact CHAS price before you commit?
Bring your card in and we'll give you an itemised quote against the MOH fee benchmarks, no obligation.
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Frequently asked questions
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What is the CHAS dental subsidy?
The Community Health Assist Scheme (CHAS) is a government scheme that subsidises selected dental procedures for Singapore Citizens who hold a CHAS Blue, CHAS Orange, Merdeka Generation or Pioneer Generation card. The subsidy is deducted directly from your bill at participating private dental clinics, up to a capped amount per claim set by the Ministry of Health.
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Who qualifies for CHAS Blue or CHAS Orange?
Eligibility is based on household monthly income per person: $1,500 and below for CHAS Blue, and $1,501 to $2,300 for CHAS Orange. Households with no income are assessed on the Annual Value of their home ($21,000 and below for Blue, $21,001 to $31,000 for Orange). You apply online with Singpass, and one application covers your household.
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Does CHAS Green include dental subsidies?
No. CHAS Green supports chronic medical care, not dental treatment. Dental subsidies apply to CHAS Blue, CHAS Orange, Merdeka Generation and Pioneer Generation cardholders at participating dental clinics.
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Does CHAS cover root canals, crowns and dentures?
Yes. In 2026 the maximum subsidy per claim for a CHAS Blue cardholder is $584.50 for a molar root canal, $615 for a permanent crown and $408.50 for a complete denture, with higher caps for Merdeka and Pioneer Generation cards. Limits apply: up to 2 root canal treatments and 4 crowns per calendar year, and 1 upper plus 1 lower denture per 3 calendar years. For these multi-visit procedures the subsidy is claimed when treatment is completed.
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How many times a year can I claim CHAS at the dentist?
It depends on the procedure. Common limits per calendar year: 2 consultations (6 months apart), 2 scaling and 2 polishing visits, 6 X-rays, 6 fillings, 4 extractions and 2 root canal treatments. You can check your remaining claims by logging in to MyCHAS with Singpass.
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Can I combine CHAS with Medisave or Flexi-MediSave?
They cover different things, so yes, they can work together across your care. Medisave applies to surgical procedures such as wisdom tooth surgery and implants, while CHAS covers the non-surgical procedures in the tables above. From mid-2026, seniors aged 60 and above can also use Flexi-MediSave to offset up to $400 a year for root canal treatments and permanent crowns at CHAS dental clinics, on top of their CHAS subsidy.
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Do I need to apply for CHAS, and how long is the card valid?
Yes, CHAS is on an application basis even though every Singapore Citizen is eligible to apply. Apply online with Singpass for your whole household; cards are typically valid for two years, after which you renew. Public Assistance cardholders receive full CHAS subsidies automatically without applying.
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