Braces & CHAS Subsidies

Thinking of getting braces or aligners? Beyond just putting on some wires or wearing aligners, there has to be a detailed treatment plan done together with your dentist to achieve your desired outcome. In your braces or Invisalign treatment plan, your dentist may indicate certain basic dental treatment first to ensure you have a solid foundation of teeth that are ready for movement in to their ideal alignment. While braces are not directly eligible for CHAS subsidies or Medisave, there are many associated dental treatments needed during your braces journey that can be subsidised under CHAS.

Here are some examples:

Common dental X-rays that are taken in your braces treatment include the orthopantomogram (OPG) and lateral cephalogram (LC). These X-rays help the dentist to get a broad overview of your teeth and your jaw bones to help with planning out your braces treatment. Sometimes, smaller X-rays may be required to get a clearer picture of specific teeth.

Eligible Blue CHAS patients can claim a subsidy of $11.00 for an x-ray (orthopantomogram or OPG, but not for the lateral cephalogram or LC); up to 6 X-rays per calendar year.

Extractions may be required in certain patients (not all the time!) to create space in the mouth for your teeth to align. The most common teeth to be indicated for extractions are your pre-molars (also known as the middle teeth between the front and back).

Eligible Blue CHAS patients can claim a subsidy of $28.50 for an extraction of anterior tooth and $68.50 for an extraction of posterior tooth; up to 4 extractions per calendar year.

Scaling and polishing before, during and after your braces treatment is essential to ensure your teeth and gums are kept in tip-top condition throughout their process of movement. It is more difficult to keep your teeth clean with braces as they create pockets for food trap and dental plaque to accumulate. If you neglect your oral hygiene, your braces treatment will worsen the situation and make you more prone to dental decay and gum disease.

Eligible Blue CHAS patients can claim a subsidy of $20.50 for polishing and $30.00 for scaling; up to 2 scaling and polishings per calendar year.

We all know that dental expenses can add up, hence it is important to plan financially for the treatment you need and be aware of subsidies that you may be entitled to as a Singapore Citizen. Here at Neo Smiles, we are a CHAS-accredited dental clinic.

The Community Health Assist Scheme (CHAS) allows patients to receive subsidies for a wide range of dental procedures. There are 3 tiers to CHAS, which can be differentiated based on the color of cardholders.

i) Blue CHAS, Pioneer Generation (PG), Merdeka Generation (MG) cardholders are entitled to subsidies for basic dental treatment like scaling and polishing, topical fluoride application, fillings, and extractions (even miscellaneous fees like consultation and x-rays are subsidized); as well as advanced dental treatment like dentures, crowns and root canal treatments.
ii) Orange CHAS cardholders are only entitled to subsidies for advanced dental treatments.
iii) Green CHAS cardholders are not entitled to subsidies for dental services.
With the CHAS scheme, you may be eligible to receive subsidies that can help with the financial commitment that comes with starting your braces journey. Visit www.chas.sg or call 1800-275-2427 for more information.