Dentists Specialising in Geriatric Dental Services in Public Healthcare System

7 Mr Leong Mun Wai asked the Minister for Health (a) what is the current number of dentists specialising in geriatric dental services in the public healthcare system; and (b) what are the plans to improve the accessibility and availability of geriatric dental services by 2030 in light of the ageing population in Singapore.

Mr Ong Ye Kung: The majority of dental needs of geriatric patients can be met by general dentists at the polyclinics, Community Health Assist Scheme clinics and private dental clinics. Seniors with more complex needs or with medical conditions can be cared for by specialists at the two national dental centres, National Dental Centre and National University Centre for Oral Health, and hospital dental clinics. There are, currently, 12 dentists with specialised training in geriatric dentistry and another five in training.

Our dental school currently provides geriatric dentistry teaching in the undergraduate curriculum and a postgraduate training programme to give dentists a better understanding of the needs of geriatric patients.