What can I expect at my first visit?

The first visit at NDCS is a consultation appointment. It includes examination and diagnosis, and discussion of your treatment options including financial counselling. Typically, no treatment is performed. You can then make an informed decision with regards to treatment before follow-up appointments are scheduled for our dentists to provide treatment. An exception would be for emergency treatment that is required to manage acute pain or infection.

How do I prepare for my first visit?

If you are here for the first time, you would need to arrive at least 15 minutes earlier, as you will need to register in-person at the counter with your NRIC or Work Pass. You will also require a referral letter to enjoy subsidised treatment fees, if applicable. Patients without a referral letter will be charged at private rates.

What about subsequent visits?

For subsequent visits, the self-registration kiosk or mobile registration via HealthBuddy may be used for registration. However, please note that the kiosk can only be used up to the first 15 minutes of the scheduled appointment. We seek your kind understanding that NDCS reserves the right to reschedule patients who are more than 15 minutes late for their appointments. This is because there may be insufficient time for our dentists to complete the planned dental procedures, which has an impact on the next scheduled patient.

How long will each appointment take?

First visits for consultation range from 30 to 60 minutes. Subsequent treatment appointments may be for 60 to 90 minutes depending on the treatment planned. Review appointments may range from 15 to 30 minutes.

Why can’t I have all my dental treatment done at NDCS?

As NDCS is a specialist care centre, our priority is providing specialist dental services within the scope of specialists. As part of comprehensive team-based care, routine dental procedures that can be performed by primary care dentists may be referred outside the centre.

What are routine dental procedures?

Routine dental procedures refer to procedures that can be done by most general dentists without advanced specialty training. This includes, but is not limited to, scaling and polishing, fillings and simple extractions.

What is a primary care dentist?

General dentists who work in polyclinics or private clinics are primary care dentists.

What is a care partner?

In line with the vision set by Ministry of Health (a family physician for every patient), the Care Partners Programme (CaPP) was introduced. Care partners are dentists in private practice, who are willing and able to perform advanced general dentistry. These procedures include crowns, dentures, root canal treatment and periodontal therapy. An agreement is in place for our care partners to provide treatment that is being referred at a reasonable cost. Please speak to our dentists in person for more information.

When may I be asked to see a care partner?

Care partners typically assist in providing advanced general dentistry for simple cases that do not require the expertise of a specialist. This option may be offered if you are deemed to be dentally stable or meet the case criteria. Referrals to care partners are usually associated with shorter waiting times.

Why are there so little front-line staff at the counters?

Patients are encouraged to use the HealthBuddy app to receive notifications regarding their appointments and make payment online. This allows you to leave immediately after dental appointments without having to wait for payments and appointments.

I like it here at NDCS and do not want to be discharged. Can I still come for yearly check-ups after completion of treatment?

You will be discharged from NDCS once specialist dental treatment has been completed, and when you are deemed dentally stable by our dentists. Once you are discharged, kindly continue regular reviews and maintenance with a primary care dentist. Rest assured; your primary care dentist will refer you back appropriately to NDCS should you require specialist treatment again in the future.

I had previous dental treatment done at NDCS but have not been to NDCS for a while. Can I still make an appointment directly with NDCS and enjoy subsidised treatment?

Patients who have not been seen at NDCS for a period of 12 months will be automatically discharged. In order to enjoy subsidised rates, you will be required to obtain a new referral letter from polyclinics as primary care dentists will need to assess your updated dental condition and determine if management by specialists at NDCS is required.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) on your visit to NDCS