9 Costly Dental Mistakes Singaporeans Keep Making (And Fixes)

Let's be honest — most of us only think about the dentist when something hurts. By then, that RM80 filling has become a $1,200 root canal plus crown. In Singapore, where a single dental implant can set you back $3,500 to $6,000, the mistakes you make before you're in pain are the ones that really hurt your wallet. Here's what you need to know about the dental mistakes Singaporeans keep making, and how to avoid turning a $50 problem into a $5,000 one.

1. Skipping Scaling and Polishing to "Save Money"

A standard scaling session at a private clinic costs $60 to $150 (polyclinics and some CHAS clinics go as low as $20 to $40 with subsidies). Skip it for two years, and tartar buildup leads to gum disease — which means scaling under local anaesthesia, deep cleaning, or worse, periodontal treatment costing $300 to $800 per quadrant.

The fix: Go twice a year like clockwork. Use your CHAS card or Medisave (for those above 60, Medisave covers some dental procedures) to offset the cost. Cheaper than a root canal, guaranteed.

2. Choosing a Dentist Based on Price Alone

Scrolling for the cheapest