Response to TODAY's Online Forum Letter on "NSFs should enjoy full dental subsidies"

Comprehensive Medical and Dental Benefits for NSFs

We thank Mr Ravi Philemon for his feedback on dental benefits for full-time National Servicemen (NSFs) ("NSFs should enjoy full dental subsidies", 1 February 2017).

NSFs are provided with free medical and dental treatment at Singapore Armed Forces in-camp medical facilities or at Home Team medical centres. However, if they require medical or dental treatment at government restructured hospitals or polyclinics, the Ministry of Defence and the Ministry of Home Affairs provide them with heavily subsidised benefits. NSFs receive free outpatient medical treatment at government restructured hospitals or polyclinics. Inpatient treatment charges are fully subsidised, and they co-pay 20% of ward charges. Inpatient treatment includes dental operative procedures such as day surgery for the removal of wisdom teeth. For outpatient dental treatment, up to 85% of their dental expenses are subsidised, subject to a cap of $120 per calendar year. 

Under the NS Housing Medical and Education (NS HOME) Awards (Medisave Grant), NSFs also receive a total of $2,000 in their Central Provident Fund (CPF) Medisave Account by the completion of full-time National Service (NS). To help NSFs fully cover their Medishield Life premiums while they are serving full-time NS, $200 is credited into their CPF Medisave Account upon enlistment. An additional $200 will also be credited after completion of the first year of NS. The remainder of the NS HOME Awards (Medisave Grant), i.e., $1,600, is credited when they complete their full-time NS. 

Lee Chung Wei
Director Manpower 
Ministry of Defence

Shirlyn Ng
Senior Director, Human Resource Division
Ministry of Home Affairs