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Dental Insurance in Singapore

Dental insurance refers to a type of insurance that covers dental treatments and surgical procedures such as dental implants and root canal treatment.

i.Dental has partnered with several insurance providers to ensure that your dental care expenses remain affordable.

Disclaimer: Please note that the information found on this page is intended for general knowledge only, and should not be considered as financial advice. You are recommended to speak to a qualified professional to find out about dental insurance in greater detail.

Table of contents

Benefits of Dental Insurance

Dental insurance helps to reduce your out-of-pocket expenses for preventive check-ups and restorative dentistry procedures, as well as major procedures like emergency treatments.

By getting dental insurance in Singapore, you will gain access to a wide network of trusted dental clinics. You will also have the opportunity to receive dental care from professional service providers that may not have been affordable without insurance. 

 

Types of Dental Insurance Coverage

There are 3 main types of dental insurance coverage: preventive, basic and major.

Preventive dental coverage is designed to cover the cost of services that seek to prevent serious dental issues. These services are usually fully covered by dental insurance and include procedures such as:

On top of preventive dental services, this tier of dental coverage includes treatments such as: 

This tier of insurance provides the highest level of dental coverage. It is designed to cover the costs of more complex procedures such as:

Preventive dental coverage is designed to cover the cost of services that seek to prevent serious dental issues. These services are usually fully covered by dental insurance and include procedures such as:

On top of preventive dental services, this tier of dental coverage includes treatments such as: 

This tier of insurance provides the highest level of dental coverage. It is designed to cover the costs of more complex procedures such as:

How to Choose a Dental Insurance Plan

From dental coverage and exclusions to cost and expenses, there are many factors to take into consideration when choosing the right dental insurance plan for you and your family.

  • Coverage and Exclusions

    Ensure that the plan you choose covers common dental procedures such as regular check-ups, dental cleaning, as well as costly major procedures.

    Before committing to a specific plan, you may also want to view the exclusion list to identify the treatments and services that are not covered.

    Another important consideration would be whether your policy provides coverage at private dental clinics. As compared to public clinics, private service providers such as i.Dental tend to have shorter waiting times, more flexible appointment scheduling and are less prone to delays.

  • Cost and Expenses

    You can determine the most affordable and cost-efficient dental plan for you by comparing the monthly premium and copayments.

    An important consideration would be if the amount of deductible fits into your budget. While a higher deductible can lower your premium payments, it can increase your out-of-pocket expenses during claims.

  • Network of Providers

    You may want to opt for a plan that has a comprehensive network of trusted and reliable dental service providers.

  • Waiting Period

    A waiting period refers to the minimum amount of time one must wait before their dental coverage comes into effect.

    When choosing a plan, be aware of such restrictions and plan your dental appointments accordingly.

How to Buy Dental Insurance in Singapore

There are 2 main ways to get dental insurance in Singapore. While some seek out their own private dental insurance service provider, others rely on employer-sponsored dental insurance for coverage.

Private Dental Insurance

Private dental insurance refers to an insurance plan that is not sponsored by an employer. Those who are looking to buy private insurance can reach out directly to insurance professionals for more information.

i.Dental partners with several private dental insurance providers such as:

  • Alliance Medinet
  • Adept Health 
  • Advantage Health Benefits (AHB)
  • Pacific Prime
  • Fullerton Health
  • Great Eastern
  • Integrated Health Plans (IHP)
  • Mednefits
  • Parkway Shenton
  • Singlife
  • Tokio Marine HCC
  • Inovacare

Please enquire with the clinic to get the full list of dental insurance providers.

Employer-sponsored Dental Insurance

Employer-sponsored dental insurance is typically provided by a business as part of its employee benefits package. While employers usually pay for the insurance, employees may be required to pay a subsidised fee when claiming any treatments.

For example, businesses can sign up with insurance providers such as AHB and IHP to offer dental coverage for employees.

How to Claim Dental Insurance at i.Dental

Claiming dental insurance is a simple and straightforward process. Before entering the treatment room for your appointment, you can verify your insurance coverage at the registration counter.

  • Step 1: Registration

    During registration, present your NRIC and/or dental insurance card/e-card to the receptionist.

  • Step 2: Check insurance coverage

    Our staff will check your dental insurance coverage and inform you if you are eligible for direct bill (cashless) payments. This means that your dental insurance provider will be billed directly.

    Sometimes, you may have to pay for the treatment upfront and submit the claims on your own.

    In some cases, an additional letter of authorisation may be required from the insurer to determine the extent of your coverage, before treatment can proceed.

  • Step 3: See the dentist

    Once it has been confirmed that the treatment is covered under your dental insurance, you may proceed with the dental procedure as per normal.

  • Step 4: Make payment

    After the appointment, the receptionist will inform you if you need to make any payment. 

    If you are required to do your own reimbursement, i.Dental will provide you with the relevant invoices and supporting documents.

    Meanwhile, we will process the claim for those who are eligible for direct billing arrangements.

FAQs on Dental Insurance in Singapore

FAQs

Here are several reasons why it is important to get dental insurance in Singapore:

  • Avoid the financial burden of costly treatments by reducing out-of-pocket expenses
  • Get convenient access to a wide network of dental care providers
  • Gain access to professional dental care providers that may otherwise be unaffordable

If you are looking to buy dental insurance, you can check with your preferred insurance provider for more information on specific dental plans.

As an estimate, dental insurance in Singapore can cost anywhere between $300 to $600 annually for an individual policy. The cost can vary depending on several factors such as:

FactorDescription
Level of coverageThe more comprehensive the coverage, the higher the premium.
Age of insuredThe older the individual, the higher the premium.
Pre-existing dental conditionsIndividuals with pre-existing dental conditions may have to pay higher premiums as compared to those without.
DeductiblesThe lower the deductible, the higher the premium.
Provider networkThe higher the number of quality providers, the higher the premium.

There are many good dental insurance plans in Singapore, each with its own benefits and limitations. You are recommended to seek insurance professionals for advice on which dental plan will best suit your needs and financial situation.

Typically, most cosmetic dentistry procedures are not covered by dental insurance. However, dental coverage is dependent on one’s policy and determined on a case-by-case basis. 

For a cosmetic procedure to be guaranteed coverage, it has to be deemed as a medically mandatory treatment by the insurer.

Yes, expats and foreigners can get dental insurance in Singapore. Many private insurance providers offer dental plans to both residents and non-residents. 

However, some insurance companies may have certain restrictions or requirements for non-residents when it comes to getting insured for dental procedures.

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About Us

i.Dental™ aims to design smiles and define confidence for our clients.

With decades of experience, our team of dental practitioners is able to provide high-quality, tailored dental services in Singapore.

info@idental.com.sg
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