Polyclinics see rise in demand for basic dental services

SINGAPORE : Health Minister Gan Kim Yong has said there has been a 30 per cent increase in the demand for basic dental services in polyclinics over the past two to three years.

As such, the polyclinics have implemented measures to better manage appointment wait—times.

These include having a phone triaging system managed by trained personnel so that patients needing more urgent treatments receive priority.

Mr Gan said this in a written parliamentary reply to MP Baey Yam Keng who enquired about patients’ waiting times for general medical and dental services.

Mr Gan added that polyclinic dental services are provided only on an appointment basis, aside from emergency cases.

The lead time for patients to see the dentists at the polyclinics depends on the type of condition.

Patients with dental emergencies such as severe pain, swelling and bleeding are typically seen on the same day.

For simple dental services such as dental fillings, patients are seen within one and a half months.

For general medical services at polyclinics, patients are usually seen as walk—ins.

However, polyclinics encourage patients to make appointments for services such as health screenings, immunisations and visits for chronic conditions.

Patients who make an appointment for these services for the first time will be seen within one to two weeks.

— CNA/ms