In the context of an aging population and the increasing number of elderly individuals requiring continuous care, the issue of accessibility to dental care is becoming particularly significant. The National Dental Centre Singapore (NDCS) has introduced a new initiative aimed at addressing systemic barriers in providing oral care to vulnerable population groups. The launch of the first NDCS Mobile Dental Clinic serves as a response to the identified oral health challenges among older adults residing in intermediate and long-term care facilities.
The NDCS Mobile Dental Clinic (MDC) was created to deliver basic dental services directly to the residences of elderly patients who face physical, cognitive, or logistical challenges when visiting fixed clinics. Thus, the MDC not only eliminates the need for patient transportation but also complements existing NDCS preventive programs implemented at the community level.
The official launch ceremony of the MDC took place at the Bright Hill Evergreen Home nursing home with the support of LION Corporation Singapore. The event was attended by representatives of government agencies, including Ms. Rahayu Mahzam, Senior Parliamentary Secretary at the Ministry of Communications and Information and the Ministry of Health of Singapore. The presence of government officials underscores the strategic importance of the project for the national healthcare system.
The need for mobile dental care is supported by the results of the 2019 National Adult Oral Health Survey. According to this data, 12.5% of citizens aged 65 and older are completely edentulous, while 64% lack a functional dentition. Among elderly patients, 31% have untreated caries, 55% suffer from moderate periodontitis, and 33.8% experience a severe form of this disease.
The situation in nursing homes appears even more concerning. Under the Tele-Dentistry Oral Care for Seniors (T-DOCS) program implemented by NDCS, 210 individuals across five facilities were examined. The results revealed that 84% of residents had fewer than 20 teeth, while 38% exhibited complete tooth loss.
According to Clinical Associate Professor Low Gin Nie, Deputy Group Chief Executive of NDCS for Clinical and Regional Health Services, the obtained data clearly illustrates the serious oral health challenges faced by elderly individuals residing in long-term care facilities. She emphasized that the mobile dental clinic is designed to address a critical gap in the care delivery system, reflecting NDCS’s commitment to equitable access to dental services and strengthening Singapore’s overall healthcare system through early screening and prevention.
The MDC project is part of NDCS’s broader population health strategy. It complements initiatives such as the T-DOCS program, the Oral Health Movement 8020 (OHM8020) aimed at preserving at least 20 teeth by the age of 80, as well as the Oral Health Education Programme (OHEP), through which non-medical specialists are trained in the basics of community oral care.
By 2028, the mobile dental clinic plans to screen 1,900 elderly individuals across ten nursing homes. The range of services provided includes dental examinations, atraumatic restorative treatment, fluoride prophylaxis, scaling and polishing, simple fillings, tooth extractions, and radiographic diagnostics. An important aspect of the project will be collaboration with community dental clinics to ensure continuity of care, and in the longer term, expanding services for patients with special medical needs.
The concept of the mobile clinic was developed during the COVID-19 pandemic, when the need for alternative forms of healthcare delivery became particularly evident. The project’s implementation was made possible by sponsorship support of 2.05 million Singapore dollars from LION Corporation Singapore. The company’s history is closely linked to the Japanese “8020” movement, which served as inspiration for Singapore’s OHM8020 program.
Managing Director of LION Corporation Singapore, Ms. Ng Su Khim, noted that the company is pleased to deepen its partnership with NDCS through the MDC initiative, emphasizing that it fully aligns with the brand’s long-term mission of fostering healthy oral care habits at all stages of life and expanding access to dental care within the community.
The Chief Executive Officer of Bright Hill Evergreen Home, Cheng Siok Khuong, highlighted the practical value of the mobile clinic, noting that access to regular dental examinations and treatment helps maintain adequate nutrition and social confidence in the elderly — key factors for successful and healthy aging.
By fostering partnerships between the public and private sectors, as well as implementing community programs, NDCS aims to establish a sustainable model of dental care for vulnerable population groups. The mobile dental clinic symbolizes a shift from episodic treatment to systemic prevention and long-term support, representing a significant step toward improving the quality of life for the elderly and strengthening public health overall.
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