Scaling and polishing in Singapore is $60 at Caring Dental for patients without a subsidy card, with a flat charge for CHAS, Merdeka Generation and Pioneer Generation cardholders once the subsidy is applied at the counter. Since 1 October 2025, CHAS Orange cardholders are covered too, having previously had no subsidy for routine cleaning.
Prices for teeth cleaning vary between clinics, and it is not always obvious what the quoted fee includes. This guide explains what actually happens during a scaling and polishing session, what it costs, which subsidies apply, and how often you really need one.
What Happens During Scaling and Polishing
Scaling and polishing is professional teeth cleaning, done in two stages.
Scaling
The dentist uses an ultrasonic scaler to remove plaque and tartar (hardened plaque, also called calculus) from your teeth and along the gumline. Brushing and flossing cannot remove tartar once it has hardened. It has to be cleaned off professionally, and if it stays put, it irritates the gums and can lead to gum disease.
Polishing
After scaling, the teeth are polished with a rotating brush and a mildly abrasive paste. Polishing removes surface stains from coffee, tea and tobacco, and leaves the tooth surface smooth, which makes it harder for new plaque to stick.
A routine session takes about 30 to 45 minutes, including a check of your teeth and gums. Your dentist will tell you if anything else needs attention, but there is no obligation to proceed with further treatment on the same day.
Scaling and Polishing Price at Caring Dental
Our fee for scaling and polishing starts from $60, before any subsidy. The final amount depends on how much tartar has built up and whether you need a longer session.
Two things worth knowing about dental pricing in Singapore:
- Fee benchmarks are now displayed. From 1 October 2025, the Ministry of Health (2025) requires CHAS dental clinics to display MOH fee benchmarks prominently next to their price lists, so you can compare a quoted fee against the typical range before you agree to treatment.
- Subsidies are deducted on the spot. At a CHAS-registered clinic, you present your card at registration and pay only the balance. There are no claim forms.
All four Caring Dental clinics, in Punggol, Sengkang, Anchorvale and Woodlands, are CHAS registered.
What Cardholders Pay for Scaling and Polishing
The $60 fee above is for patients without a subsidy card. If you hold a CHAS, Merdeka Generation or Pioneer Generation card, the subsidy is applied at the counter and you pay a flat charge for scaling and polishing at Caring Dental:
| Card | You pay |
|---|---|
| CHAS Blue | $15 (excluding GST) |
| CHAS Orange | $50 (excluding GST) |
| Merdeka Generation | $10 (excluding GST) |
| Pioneer Generation | No charge (including GST) |
CHAS Orange cardholders are covered for scaling and polishing from 1 October 2025; previously there was no subsidy for routine cleaning on an Orange card (Ministry of Health, 2025). The figures above are the flat charge you pay at Caring Dental after the subsidy is applied.
Bring your card and NRIC, and our front desk verifies it and applies the subsidy before you pay. For how the card tiers work and what else CHAS covers, see our CHAS dental subsidies guide.
One common mix-up: Medisave does not cover scaling and polishing. Medisave is for surgical procedures such as wisdom tooth surgery. Routine cleaning sits under CHAS and the Merdeka and Pioneer Generation schemes.
How Often Do You Actually Need It?
Every 6 months is the standard recommendation for most adults. Tartar builds up at different rates depending on your saliva, diet, smoking and how thoroughly you brush, so some people stay comfortable with annual visits while others need cleaning more often.
If you have gum disease, your dentist may recommend scaling every 3 to 4 months until your gums recover. Signs that you are overdue include:
- Bleeding when you brush or floss
- Gums that look red or feel puffy along the edges
- Persistent bad breath that returns soon after brushing
- Visible yellow or brown build-up near the gumline
Bleeding gums are worth taking seriously. Gum disease progresses quietly, and untreated gum inflammation can eventually affect the bone supporting your teeth. If your gums bleed regularly, it is worth having them assessed. Our gum treatment page explains what an assessment involves.
What About Children?
Children benefit from professional cleaning too, usually from around the age their permanent teeth start arriving. A gentler, shorter clean is part of a routine children’s dentistry visit, and it is a good way for kids to get comfortable in the dental chair before anything more involved is ever needed.
Booking a Cleaning at Caring Dental
Scaling and polishing is available at all four of our clinics, open 7 days a week (closed on public holidays). Bring your CHAS, Merdeka Generation or Pioneer Generation card and NRIC, and the subsidy is applied at the counter.
- Punggol: Blk 665A Punggol Drive #01-02 · 6481 6833
- Sengkang: Blk 473A Fernvale Street #01-01 · 6634 6689
- Anchorvale: 326A Anchorvale Road #01-258 · 6352 2282
- Woodlands: 136 Marsiling Road #01-2170 · 6200 3200
Book an appointment or call the clinic nearest you.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does scaling and polishing cost in Singapore?
At Caring Dental, scaling and polishing is $60 for patients without a subsidy card. Cardholders pay a flat charge with the subsidy applied at the counter: CHAS Blue $15, CHAS Orange $50 and Merdeka Generation $10 (all excluding GST), and no charge for Pioneer Generation cardholders (including GST).
Does CHAS cover scaling and polishing?
Yes. Blue, Merdeka Generation and Pioneer Generation cardholders have long had subsidies, and from 1 October 2025 CHAS Orange cardholders do too, at up to $20 for scaling and up to $13.50 for polishing per claim (Ministry of Health, 2025).
How often should I go for scaling and polishing?
Every 6 months for most people. With gum disease, every 3 to 4 months may be recommended until your gums recover.
Does scaling and polishing hurt?
Most patients feel vibration and some pressure rather than pain. Sensitive patients can ask for numbing gel, and any sensitivity usually settles quickly after the session.
Is scaling and polishing claimable under Medisave?
No. Medisave covers surgical procedures such as wisdom tooth surgery. Routine cleaning is subsidised through CHAS, Merdeka Generation and Pioneer Generation cards.
How long does an appointment take?
Usually 30 to 45 minutes including the check-up. Heavy build-up or a first visit can take longer.
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