Singapore Health Minister Assures Dental Industry Remains Strong

Assurance Comes Amid Growing Trend of Dental Tourism to Malaysia

SINGAPORE: According to a recent report by The Independent Singapore, Singaporean residents are increasingly seeking dental care across the border in Johor Bahru (JB), Malaysia, taking advantage of significant cost savings and modern facilities. The report indicates that procedures in JB can cost between 30-50% less than equivalent treatments in Singapore, with popular services including cosmetic dentistry, teeth whitening, veneers, orthodontics, and oral surgery.

Cost Comparisons and Patient Experiences

The report shares insights from a Singaporean resident, Madam Lim, who discussed her experience accompanying her father for dental treatment in JB. She noted the trade-offs involved, stating, “Although the prices of dental care in Johor Bahru are cheaper compared to Singapore, it can also be time-consuming as we have to drive across the causeway and sometimes we are caught in a jam due to high traffic.”

According to the article, dental treatment costs in JB vary by location. Shopping mall clinics charge between RM 1,500 to RM 2,000 per arch for dentures, while clinics in other areas, such as Ang Dental Clinic near Jalan Wong Ah Fook, offer more competitive rates of RM 800 to RM 1,200 for a full set of dentures per arch.

Government Response and Local Industry Growth

The matter has drawn attention in Singapore’s parliament, with Workers’ Party MP He Ting Ru raising questions about the trend. In response, Health Minister Ong Ye Kung acknowledged that while the Ministry does not track data on Singaporeans seeking dental treatments in JB, the local dental industry shows strong growth. The minister revealed that Singapore’s dental clinics increased by over 10% from 1,091 in 2019 to 1,228 in 2023.

Broader Regional Competition

The Independent Singapore reports that the trend extends beyond Malaysia, with Singaporeans also traveling to Batam, Indonesia, and Bangkok, Thailand, for dental and other medical procedures. This comes as Indonesia develops its healthcare tourism infrastructure, with the recent approval of a special economic zone for international tourism and healthcare in Batam.

Singapore’s Healthcare Strategy

Despite the competition from neighboring countries, Minister Ong emphasized Singapore’s commitment to maintaining high standards, stating that “we will continue to ensure that dentists are well-trained and competent, and dental services in Singapore are safe, of high quality and, through various support schemes, remain affordable for Singaporeans.”

This development reflects a broader trend in Southeast Asian healthcare dynamics, where cross-border medical tourism continues to grow while countries work to balance quality, cost, and accessibility of healthcare services.