SPEECH BY MDM RAHAYU MAHZAM, MINISTER OF STATE, MINISTRY OF HEALTH, AT THE LAUNCH OF NUCOHS' DENTAL CLINIC @ NTFGH

Associate Professor Dan Yock Young, Chief Executive Officer, Ng Teng Fong General Hospital (NTFGH)

Dr Wendy Wang, Executive Director, National University Centre for Oral Health Singapore (NUCOHS)

Colleagues, ladies and gentlemen

           It is my pleasure to join you this morning at the official opening of the NUCOHS Dental Clinic @ NTFGH.

Maintaining oral health is of great importance

2.               Maintaining oral health is crucial to our overall well-being. The National Adult Oral Health Survey in 2019 revealed that common oral diseases, such as dental caries and gum disease, remain prevalent in the adult population. What is particularly striking is that only 56% of Singaporeans aged 55 and above have 20 or more natural teeth. Thankfully, in recent years, we have seen increasing attention on oral health, particularly regarding the preservation of natural teeth, timely access to dental services, and affordability of dental treatment.

3.               Good oral health matters at every stage of life. While Singapore has built strong foundations in dental care, the Ministry of Health will further strengthen support for both preventive and restorative care, ensuring Singaporeans can maintain good oral health throughout their lives.

Improving affordability and access to oral healthcare

4.               The Government remains committed to affordable and accessible dental care. As our population ages and healthcare needs evolve, we periodically review our policies to ensure this.

5.               On the affordability front, as Minister Ong Ye Kung shared during the Committee of Supply Debate two weeks ago, we will enhance dental subsidies for Community Health Assist Scheme (CHAS) cardholders and allow the use of Flexi-MediSave for root canal treatment and permanent crowns to reduce out-of-pocket fees for patients. These measures will be implemented in the fourth quarter of this year and mid-next year respectively.

6.               In addition, we will be introducing fee benchmarks for dental procedures from the fourth quarter of this year. This will help provide greater transparency and enable patients to make more informed decisions about their dental care. It will also ensure that the financial enhancements translate to lower out-of-pocket costs for patients.

Strengthening our dental workforce

7.               In terms of accessibility, another measure we have taken is to strengthen our dental workforce. The National University of Singapore has increased its annual Dentistry intake by 50% from 2015 to 2024. Our dentist-to-population ratio now stands at 0.5 per 1,000 people, comparable with developed nations like South Korea and the United Kingdom.

8.               To further enhance specialised care, we have expanded training opportunities for dentists in the public healthcare institutions. This includes areas like oral medicine, oral pathology and oral radiology, which play a crucial role in addressing complex oral health issues and improving patient outcomes, especially as we see more diverse healthcare needs across different life stages. All these ensure that oral healthcare remains accessible to Singaporeans, including those with complex needs.

NUCOHS as a national specialty dental centre and regional hub

9.               NUCOHS has played a vital role in keeping oral healthcare accessible. Since its opening five years ago, it has served about 130,000 patients annually, providing comprehensive specialist dental care through its main facilities situated within the National University Hospital and geriatric-centric satellite clinic in Alexandra Hospital. Singaporeans have benefited from subsidised specialist outpatient services at both locations.

10.           Beyond clinical services, NUCOHS has been actively reaching out to Singaporeans of all ages on the importance of oral health. Their efforts include conducting oral health programmes for preschoolers and their families, and oral health screenings for seniors through Project Silver Screen.

11.           Furthermore, NUCOHS serves as a training centre for oral healthcare professionals in partnership with both the National University of Singapore and Nanyang Polytechnic, ensuring that our dental workforce of tomorrow can meet the needs of Singaporeans.

12.           Today marks another significant milestone with the launch of NUCOHS Dental Clinic @ NTFGH. Building on its existing hospital dental services, the clinic will now provide Singaporeans residing in the western region, the area I serve, with an additional option and easier access to selected subsidised outpatient services, particularly for procedures requiring periodontal, prosthodontic, or surgical expertise. This initiative aims to address current waiting times for specialist dental services and bring care closer to residents in the western region.

Closing

13.           I would like to take this opportunity, on behalf of the residents in Jurong, to thank NUCOHS for their efforts in providing accessible dental services to residents. I would also like to convey my heartiest congratulations to NUCOHS and NTFGH on today’s successful opening. I look forward to the NUCOHS Dental Clinic @ NTFGH to play an important role in bringing affordable, quality oral healthcare closer to the community. Thank you very much.