New dental centre in Woodlands provides affordable care for migrant workers

Added: 2026-05-25

[00:00:00]A new dedicated dental center for migrant workers in Woodlands plans to support more than 1,500 of them in its first year. The facility by SATA Comm Comm Health aims to provide timely and affordable oral health care. This comes as many migrant workers are found to have neglected dental treatment due to financial constraints, demanding work schedules, and limited access to services. Caitlyn Eng with this report.

[00:00:28]When Su Paye woke up with intense pain caused by a broken wisdom tooth, the Myanmar national found that many treatment options were simply too expensive until her colleague recommended SATA's dental services.

[00:00:42]I got the appointment. I need to wait two weeks, three weeks one. And then after that very easy. I'm very satisfied and happy. And and the doctor also most doctor are very kind and friendly one.

[00:00:56]That's why I'm very satisfied.

[00:00:58]In three sessions with her dentist, Ms. Su paid $60.

[00:01:03]$30 for the wisdom tooth extraction, $15 for filling, and another 15 for cleaning.

[00:01:10]SATA's subsidized fee structure means that migrant workers won't have to pay more than $30 per visit and includes consultations, x-rays, and medication.

[00:01:20]Providing affordable treatment is how SATA's new center in Woodlands wants to fill the gaps, particularly as cost is one key reason many workers delay seeking treatment until their conditions worsen. Dental care is lacking for most of the migrant workers who may not have seen a dentist since the time they come to Singapore to start working. We want to maximize the this dental center first and also to increase the outreach by our dentist to the different migrant workers dorms.

[00:01:52]After that, then we will consider expanding to other places.

[00:01:57]Weekly outreach are in the works. There are plans, too, to hold talks at dormitories and give out dental kits to raise awareness for oral health among these workers.

[00:02:07]These are part of broader efforts to improve their welfare in Singapore.

[00:02:11]These outreach and educational efforts entered around the center will help migrant workers build strong oral preventative health habits.

[00:02:21]Our migrant workers have contributed significantly to Singapore's development, and therefore it is incumbent for us to take care of them.

[00:02:29]With affordable treatment and outreach efforts expanding, the center hopes to ensure migrant workers no longer have to choose between money and their teeth.