Overview
Dental clinics increase in number; foreign doctors enter the city to establish practices
The dental profession in Singapore plays a pivotal role in oral healthcare and has shown significant progress over the past few years. A national speciality centre that connects dental clinic services is the National University Centre for Oral Health, Singapore, which provides the facilities required to offer public dental care to patients of varying ages. It has also offered preventative care dentistry and advanced specialist treatments in oral healthcare since 2019.
WIth the development of economic sectors within Singapore, a large number of foreign doctors and researchers have made Singapore their home. This has resulted in the establishment of a large number of private clinics, especially within the dental sector.
As a means to address the growing number of clinics being established within the city, a licence is required in order to open a dental clinic. The Ministry of Health (MOH) provides a medical clinic permit that is based on blueprints of the premises, a fire safety certificate and information about the company wishing to set up private operations within Singapore. A legal fee is to be paid, after which the registration process is completed in due time.
Dental clinics pave the way for advanced technology; clinics within the sector focus on specialised treatments
As the dental sector progresses, dental clinics within Singapore also have developed advanced techniques in order to cater to patients and their requirements. With an increasing number of foreign doctors moving into Singapore, the sector has shown abundant improvement in skills and technology. A few such modern advancements at dental clinics are:
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3D printed dental splints used to aid with teeth grinding - with an increased number of patients having cracked, chipped or sensitive teeth, the technique of dental splints is used to reposition the jaw. Taking a period of 1-2 weeks to manufacture in general, dental splints are instead manufactured via 3D printer machines located at certain clinics within Singapore.
Guided Biofilm Therapy (GBT) uses airflow technology, heated water and specifically designed powders to remove biofilm produced on teeth. The teeth scaling and polishing using GBT is safer than all other techniques and can be used on kids as well.
Pinhole Gum Rejuvenation - a scalpel-free dental technique used in gum restoration used to cover exposed root surfaces.
Zoom teeth whitening uses LED lights and a whitening gel. The light-activated teeth whitening treatment aids with making teeth eight shades whiter with a single visit alone.
Zirconia crowns made in dental clinics - zirconium-made crowns used to modify tooth colours, positions and size.
Key Trends
Patient numbers drop drastically due to COVID-19; portable tents to reduce pathogen spread
Due to the close proximity required for oral healthcare treatment, the sector had to resort to several safety measures in order to greatly reduce the spread of the virus during the pandemic. Dentists and patients were both put at extremely high risk. At the beginning of the pandemic, the dental sector was negatively impacted by the ban imposed on aerosol generating procedures. This resulted in a large number of citizens without access to proper oral treatment. During the circuit breaker period implemented by the government in 2020, patient attendance decreased by 35% to 60%, with priority given only to emergency cases.
In order to address this challenge and assist patients, researchers from the National University of Singapore began working on a biosafety air curtain to be used within a dental setting. These portable tent-like shields would have the capability to prevent the spread of saliva and aerosols used during dental treatments.
The tent, referred to as the Dental Droplet and Aerosol Reducing Tent (D-DART), was implemented at dental clinics during the heart of the pandemic. The D-DART is placed around the head of the patient, and protects nurses, dentists and patients from direct and indirect contact with the COVID-19 virus. The tent is fitted to dental chairs of various sizes and contains a vacuum pump that removes any contaminated air within the tent. This reduces the amount of pathogens or contaminated materials that come into contact with the clinicians working in the room.
Many dental clinics have also opted to introduce negative pressure rooms and high-volume excavators as a means to reduce the spread of COVID-19 and create safer spaces for patients.
Dental clinics focus on more specialised patients and a wider range of specialised treatments
With the sector moving forward post-pandemic, the scope of patients being catered to continues to expand. In August 2021, a dental clinic providing access to disabled patients, special needs and underprivileged patients was introduced in the Lengkok Bahru area in Singapore. Offering services at SGD 30 or less, the clinic caters to more vulnerable communities such as seniors who are isolated and live alone, former offenders and even those with special abilities who require specialised treatments.
Wheelchair tilters are also provided as a means to allow patients to remain seated in the wheelchair as treatment is being provided. The clinic's holistic approach also has staff and dentists with experience in dealing with special needs, and providing the necessary environment for children and adults with disabilities. The dental clinics sector seeks to expand its clinics and provide assistance in other areas within Singapore.
Another area being addressed by the dental clinics industry is the need for specialised dental care for elderly patients. The National Dental Centre of Singapore (NDCS) has opened a Geriatric Special Care Dentistry Clinic that is focused on assisting elderly patients. Equipped with a minor operating theatre and an oral X-ray machine, the clinic is built to accommodate elderly patients and assist with easy movement around the clinic. It also offers patients special equipment suitable to each patient's needs, whether they are wheelchair-bound patients or bed-bound.
Director of the NDCS, Professor Yoke, reportedly stated that conditions such as Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s could hinder an individual’s oral hygiene severely. Inability to communicate and cooperate with dental professionals has been a setback, but trained clinical staff are being hired to aid with the process.
The sector hopes to train more healthcare professionals in the management of individuals with specialised ailments and behavioural issues. Working towards improvement, the dental clinics sector is on a path to offering better oral healthcare to a wider range of patients.
Key Statistics
- As of 2020, Singapore had 862 private dental clinics and 245 public dental clinics.
- In 2Q2022, a year-on year increase of SGD 1.8 million in revenue contribution from dental clinics was noted, resulting from a growth in the number of dental clinics opened in Singapore.
- By June 2022, revenue from dental and medical clinics increased by 2% year-on-year to SGD 78.5 million, from SGD 77.3 million in June 2021.
- The oral care market in 2022 is said to be valued at USD 116.10 million and is predicted to grow annually by 2.6%.
Top Singapore in Large Local Enterprise Dental Clinics
Q -u0026 M DENTAL GROUP (SINGAPORE) LIMITED
Q -u0026 M Dental Group was established in Singapore in 1996. It is the largest private dental care group in Singapore, with over 100 clinics. Q -u0026 M Dental Group’s clinics offer a range of primary care dental services and specialist services. These include aesthetic dentistry, braces, CAD CAM digital dentistry, children’s dentistry, crowns and bridges, dentures, general dental treatment, implants and many others. Q -u0026 M College of Dentistry, Q -u0026 M Dental Institute, Q -u0026 M Malaysia and Q -u0026 M China are subsidiaries of the Q -u0026 M Dental Group. The group was among Forbes Asia’s 2017 Best Under a Billion, which is among the many accolades it has received over the years.
TP DENTAL SURGEONS PTE. LTD.
TP Dental Surgeons is a multi-disciplinary dental practice which was established in 1973. Headquartered in Singapore, the clinic is a fully owned subsidiary of Q -u0026M Dental Group (Singapore). It offers a comprehensive range of services in the areas of aesthetic dentistry, endodontics, general dentistry, holistic dentistry, oral and maxillofacial surgery, pedodontics, orthodontics, periodontics and prosthodontics, as well as diet counselling and fluoride application services. TP Dental Surgeons also has its own in-house laboratory which is fully equipped to produce personalized dental appliances. In addition, it has facilities in many private hospitals.
ORACARE GROUP PTE. LTD.
Oracare Group is headquartered in Singapore and was incorporated in 2012. It operates 45 clinics across Singapore, Thailand and Indonesia. In addition, it owns a dental supplies business. All of Oracare Group clinics operate through the use of digital dentistry, which includes the use of cutting-edge technologies such as digital radiography, digital imaging and more. Its brands include Family Dental Center, Expat Dental, MOS Dental, Tawa Dental and A2Z Dental and Medical Supplies. Furthermore, its clinics offer dental practice services and management consulting services. Oracare Group’s clinics offer a range of dental services which include clear aligners, implants, child dentistry, oral health check, aesthetic dentistry and orthodontics.
HEALTHWAY DENTAL PTE. LTD.
Healthway Dental is headquartered in Singapore and was incorporated in the year 2007. It operates five clinics across Singapore and is a member of Healthway Medical Group. Healthway Dental offers a range of services through its clinics, including aesthetic dentistry, restorative dentistry, preventive care and oral surgery. In addition, the clinic offers a collection of affordable dental services and personalized packages for its employees. It also enables the citizens of Singapore to receive subsidies for selected dental care services at all of its clinics, as all its dental services are subsidized via the Community Health Assist Scheme (CHAS) and MediSave.
TIONG BAHRU DENTAL SURGERY PTE. LTD.
Tiong Bahru Dental Surgery is headquartered in Singapore and was incorporated in 2006. It is a fully owned subsidiary of Q -u0026 M Dental Group (Singapore) and operates three clinics in the island: Tiong Bahru Dental Surgery, Bright Smile Dental Surgery and Bright Smile Dental Surgery (Buangkok MRT). The clinics offer a range of services, which includes dental crowns and bridges, dental implants, Invisalign, general dental treatments, orthodontics, paediatric dentistry, scaling and polishing, tooth coloured filling and many others. At Tiong Bahru Dental Surgery, cutting-edge technologies are adopted, including CAD CAM technology, which uses intraoral scanners to ensure patient satisfaction and improve accuracy and aesthetics.
AESTHETICS DENTAL SURGERY PTE LTD
Aesthetics Dental Surgery, which was incorporated in 1981, is a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Q -u0026 M Dental Group (Singapore). Headquartered in Singapore, the clinic offers a wide array of specialist dental services to its clients. These services include orthodontics, prosthodontics, oral surgery, endodontics, cosmetic dentistry, and implants for adults and children. It also offers cosmetic bonding, lingual braces, dentures, teeth whitening and root canal procedures. These procedures are all carried out by specialized professionals such as doctors, nurses and technicians. Aesthetics Dental Surgery’s clientele includes both local and international clients.
ENTRUST HEALTHCARE PTE. LTD.
Entrust Healthcare Group, which was incorporated in 2008, is headquartered in Singapore. It offers an array of dental services as well as providing activity centres for the elderly and medical services, in addition to operating two nursing homes. Entrust Healthcare Group’s dentistry department offers dental services in the areas of general dentistry, cosmetic dentistry, and implant dentistry for both adults and children. The clinic also includes an in-house dental laboratory and general anesthetic operating theatre which are fully equipped with modern tools. The group has conducted numerous lectures in many countries, and has been featured in several publications.
NTUC HEALTH CO-OPERATIVE LTD
Repeat company as per the client.
Top Singapore SMEs in Dental Clinics
DP DENTAL PTE. LTD.
DP Dental, which was incorporated in 2006, is headquartered in Singapore. It operates two branches in the country, and its clientele comprises both local and international clients. Through the use of integrative and functional approaches, the clinics provide ethical and evidence-based dentistry services to ensure their clients’ safety and comfort and optimize their general well-being. In addition, their dental teams are committed to the use of minimally invasive dentistry. DP Dental offers a comprehensive range of services in the areas of general dentistry, functional aesthetic dentistry, precision dentistry and functional integrative dentistry.
I.DENTAL SURGEONS PTE. LTD.
i.Dental Surgeons was founded in 1989 and is headquartered in Singapore. It is a dental care provider which offers its clients services in the areas of general dentistry, children’s dentistry and aesthetic dentistry among others. It operates four clinics islandwide. One of its clinics is dedicated to providing invisalign services. In 2014, i.Dental Surgeons was appointed as an invisalign dedicated clinic in Singapore. Among the other services offered are virtual consultation services through its website, as well as financing and instalment plans for its clients. i.Dental Surgeons was honoured with the Black Diamond Provider Award for the years 2015-2017, 2018 and 2019-2021.
SIMPLY DENTAL PTE. LTD.
Simply Dental, which was incorporated in 2015, is headquartered in Singapore. This dental care provider offers a range of services to clients of all ages as well as services for whole families. Simply Dental’s comprehensive range of services includes dental examination and diagnosis, scaling and polishing, fillings, crowns and bridges, veneers and aesthetic treatment, root canal treatment, whitening, orthodontics, implants and extraction of teeth. The clinic offers Baby Bonus schemes, as well as cashless dental care benefits to its customers by accepting benefit cards such as Community Health Assist Scheme (CHAS), Pioneer Generation and Merdeka Generation.
A LINE DENTAL BRACES CLINIC PTE. LTD.
A Line Dental Braces Clinic is headquartered in Singapore. Incorporated in 2005, the clinic specializes in offering dental braces, especially in providing invisible braces. It offers solutions for common dental problems such as spacing, crowding, protruding teeth, deep bite, open bite and crossbite. In addition, it also provides many types of braces based on the requirement and age of the patient. These include metal braces, ceramic braces, Maestro clear aligners, invisalign, removable braces, auxiliary devices and clear retainers. A Line Dental Braces Clinic also offers packages to its customers which are inclusive of consultation fees, X-rays, study models and 3D intraoral scans.
NUFFIELD DENTAL HOLDINGS PRIVATE LIMITED
Repeat company as per the client.
PURE NZ DENTAL PTE. LTD.
Pure NZ Dental, which was incorporated in 2014, is headquartered in Singapore. It is a dental service provider which offers services in areas such as general and family dentistry, restorative dentistry and cosmetic dentistry. These services may include dental implants, invisalign and invisible braces, root canal treatment, oral surgery/tooth extractions and whitening. In addition, it offers services such as cosmetic bonding, dentures, mouth and sport guards, and crowns and bridges to ensure customer needs are met. Pure NZ Dental utilizes modern equipment in its procedures. The clinic also offers the convenience of online reservations.
ELEMENTS DENTAL PTE. LTD.
Elements Dental is headquartered in Singapore. Incorporated in 2018, it is a dental service provider which offers customers tailored dental services. A MediSave and CHAS accredited clinic, Elements Dental offers a comprehensive range of services in areas such as preventative dentistry, pain management, teeth whitening, dental restoration, orthodontics, paediatric dentistry, prosthetic dentistry, aesthetic dentistry and wisdom tooth removal. The clinic also offers customers the convenience of booking their appointments online. Elements Dental was honoured as one of the Top Dental Clinics of Singapore by Best In Singapore.
TEETH. Q DENTAL SURGEONS PTE. LTD.
Teeth. Q Dental Surgeons, which was incorporated in 2015, is headquartered in Singapore. It is a dental service provider which operates dental clinics in three locations across the island, in Hougang, Punggol and Sengkang. The clinics offer a range of cost effective general and specialist dental services, including scaling and polishing, whitening, dental braces, wisdom teeth surgery, implants and invisalign. Options such as the Pioneer Scheme, Merdeka Scheme and Baby Scheme are offered by the clinics to ensure client satisfaction. In addition, Teeth. Q Dental Surgeons is CHAS and MediSave accredited.
BAEK CENTRE FOR AESTHETIC AND IMPLANT DENTISTRY PTE. LTD.
Garden Dental, formerly known as Baek Centre for Aesthetic and Implant Dentistry, was incorporated in 2012. Headquartered in Singapore, it is a dental service provider which offers various dental treatments to its patients. A comprehensive range of dental treatments is offered by Garden Dental, including crowns and bridges, dental braces, dentures, cosmetic dentistry, invisalign, wisdom tooth surgery, fluoride treatment, gum treatment, and scaling and polishing. Customers are offered the convenience of making their appointments with Garden Dental through its online booking system. The clinic, which has been accredited by MediSave and CHAS, offers its customers benefits through Pioneer Generation Packages.
B -u0026 F DENTAL PTE. LTD.
B -u0026 F Dental, which was incorporated in 2018, is headquartered in Singapore. It is a dental service provider with a comprehensive portfolio of services. The clinic has been positively reviewed by trusted review sites such as Best In Singapore, Singapore’s Finest and MediaOne, as well as being featured on Rating.sg. B -u0026 F Dental treats patients who seek various dental services, including wisdom tooth removal, dental crowns, cleaning, scaling and polishing, root canal treatment, dental implants, teeth whitening and gum surgery. In addition, B -u0026 F Dental accommodates its clients in times of dental emergencies.
Top Singapore Fastest-Growing Companies in Dental Clinics Sector
CURADEN (SINGAPORE) PTE. LTD.
Curaden (Singapore) was incorporated in 2019. The company is headquartered in Switzerland and has representatives in numerous countries across Europe, North and South America, Africa, the Middle East and the Asia-Pacific region. Curaden specializes in providing dental healthcare products to dental professionals. In addition, it uses a new approach to oral health care which is based on the iTOP method, and provides coaching and training programmes on iTOP for dentists. Curaprox, its flagship product line, offers a range ofitems, including toothpaste and toothbrushes. The company has also launched applications such as the BOB-App and Prevention One which are designed for dental clients.
ASHFORD DENTAL CENTRE PTE. LTD.
Ashford Dental Centre was established in Singapore in 2017. At present, it operates three clinics across the country and provides dental services to both local and international clients. The clinics offer a range of dental treatments which include wisdom tooth surgery, dental implants, implant supported dentures, full mouth rehabilitation, sinus lift, bone grafts, dental bridges and All-on-4. As a healthcare provider, it offers customers a selection of patient care services with benefits for selected treatments, including Baby Bonus, MediSave, CHAS and Ashford Standard. The clinic’s website also operates an e-store, offering a convenient option for customers for the purchase of dental care products.
MY DENTAL TEAM PTE. LTD.
My Dental Team, which was incorporated in 2018, is headquartered in Singapore. It operates two clinics in the country, in Holland Village and Novena. Both are digital clinics which utilize cutting-edge technologies such as digital radiographs and 3D intraoral scanners. My Dental Team offers its patients, both children and adults, a range of dental treatments which includes teeth whitening, wisdom teeth removal, dental implants, crowns and bridges, kids’ dentistry, root canal treatment, extractions and oral surgery and dentures. In addition, the clinics are flexible in accommodating dental emergencies.
NUFFIELD DENTAL HOLDINGS PRIVATE LIMITED
Repeat company as per the client.
SMILE CONCEPT DENTAL PRACTICE PRIVATE LIMITED
Smile Concept Dental Practice, which was incorporated in 2010, is headquartered in Singapore. It is a dental treatment provider which uses advanceddental materials, techniques and technology. The clinic offers various dental treatments, including wisdom teeth surgery, teeth whitening, dental implants, dental veneers, root canal treatment, crowns and bridges, invisalign, dentures and dental braces. With a fully equipped clinic, its team of dentists ensure that patients' treatments, comfort and safety are a priority. Smile Concept Dental Practice works closely with many corporate groups and organizations to ensure quality service to its customers.
WEETY PTE. LTD.
Weety is a specialist dental care provider of orthodontic treatment. Incorporated in Singapore in 2017, Weety provides dental care for all types of orthodontic conditions, including the treatment of dental malalignment, conditions which require braces, jaw surgery and invisalign. In addition, the clinic offers both traditional and self-ligating braces in ceramic and metal. The clinic also offers its patients an easy payment option which allows them to make payments on a 16-month instalment basis. Weety maintains a blog page and uploads various topics to raise awareness on different areas of orthodontics.
YKB PTE. LTD.
YKB, which is now known as Royal Dental Surgery, was incorporated in Singapore in 2010, and operates 18 clinics and six affiliated clinics across the island. Dental treatments, from general dentistry to specialist procedures are offered by these clinics at affordable rates. Their services include wisdom tooth surgery, teeth whitening, dental implants, dental veneers, root canal treatment, crowns and bridges, braces and dentures, paediatric dentistry and invisalign. Royal Dental Surgery clinics offer various subsidy schemes, including CHAS, Merdeka/Pioneer Generation, MediSave and Baby Bonus/Child Development Account. In 2021, it achieved the status of Black Diamond Provider of Invisalign.
TIONG BAHRU DENTAL SURGERY PTE. LTD.
Tiong Bahru Dental Surgery is headquartered in Singapore and was incorporated in 2006. It is a fully owned subsidiary of Q -u0026 M Dental Group (Singapore) and operates three clinics in the island: Tiong Bahru Dental Surgery, Bright Smile Dental Surgery and Bright Smile Dental Surgery (Buangkok MRT). The clinics offer a range of services, which includes dental crowns and bridges, dental implants, Invisalign, general dental treatments, orthodontics, paediatric dentistry, scaling and polishing, tooth coloured filling and many others. At Tiong Bahru Dental Surgery, cutting-edge technologies are adopted, including CAD CAM technology, which uses intraoral scanners to ensure patient satisfaction and improve accuracy and aesthetics.
AESTHETICS DENTAL SURGERY PTE LTD
Aesthetics Dental Surgery, which was incorporated in 1981, is a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Q -u0026 M Dental Group (Singapore). Headquartered in Singapore, the clinic offers a wide array of specialist dental services to its clients. These services include orthodontics, prosthodontics, oral surgery, endodontics, cosmetic dentistry, and implants for adults and children. It also offers cosmetic bonding, lingual braces, dentures, teeth whitening and root canal procedures. These procedures are all carried out by specialized professionals such as doctors, nurses and technicians. Aesthetics Dental Surgery’s clientele includes both local and international clients.
DR YK DENTAL CLINICS PTE. LTD.
DR YK Dental Clinics, currently known as Tanglin Dental, is headquartered in Singapore. Incorporated in 1994, it operates four clinics across the country, in Bishan, Tanglin, Yishun and Boon Lay. The team at Tanglin Dental comprises an experienced set of specialists and general dentists. In addition, the clinic uses state-of-the-art 3D technology. At Tanglin Dental, an array of dental services are offered to adults and children. These include invisalign, braces, general dentistry, kids’ dentistry, cosmetic dentistry, root canal treatment, oral surgery, teeth replacement, crowns and Zenyum clear aligners.
