Dental Costs in Singapore Rising, Employee Benefits Lag Behind

SINGAPORE: According to a recent report from The Straits Times, dental care costs in Singapore have been steadily increasing over the past few years. This upward trend is primarily driven by inflation and rising business expenses. 

However, many workers are finding that their employer-provided dental benefits have not kept pace with these cost increases. Resources experts cited in the article note that this growing gap between dental costs and benefits is leading some employees to pay more out of pocket for dental care. It has also prompted others to seek more affordable treatment options across the border in Johor Bahru, Malaysia.

Statistical Evidence of Rising Costs

The Ministry of Health provided data showing that the consumer price index for dental services has grown at an average annual rate of 1.8% from 2019 to 2023. Compared to 2019 levels, dental service costs at both public and private providers were nearly 7.5% higher in 2023.

Specific examples highlight this trend:

“At NTUC Health Denticare, which has 19 clinics in Singapore, basic dental treatments such as scaling and polishing would have cost around $50 in 2020. The same type of treatment now costs $65.40,” the article states.

Singaporeans Seek Affordable Dental Care in Johor Bahru

Stagnant Employee Benefits

While costs have increased, many employee dental benefits have remained unchanged for years. The article notes that public officers in Singapore can claim up to $120 annually for dental benefits, an amount that was last adjusted over a decade ago in April 2013.

Mr Jasper Toh, principal consultant at human resources firm Impact Best, commented on the situation: “Employee dental benefits have ‘stagnated as a whole’, especially in the post-pandemic years.”

Impact on Patients and Dental Practices

The rising costs are affecting both patients and dental practices. Dr Joanne Quah, who runs Toothfully Yours Dental Clinic, shared her perspective: “My clinic is only three years old; I feel it is unfair to my patients to raise prices within a short span of time.” However, she noted that her operating costs have been increasing since she opened in 2021.

Potential Solutions and Future Outlook

Some companies are exploring alternatives to traditional dental benefits. Singapore Human Resources Institute executive director Alvin Aloysius Goh mentioned that “some companies have also tested alternatives such as flexible benefit schemes that allow employees to reallocate unused medical benefits towards dental care.”

Looking ahead, Mr Joshua Yim, CEO of Achieve Group, suggested that employee benefits are likely to improve rather than decrease as companies compete for talent. He stated, “Companies compete for workers, especially competent talent with the requisite skill sets and experience. They would want to offer packages that are attractive.”

As dental costs continue to rise, it remains to be seen how employers and policymakers will address this growing gap between expenses and benefits in Singapore’s dental care landscape.

Read the full article.

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