NHIS Dental Scaling Coverage: Who Qualifies and What You Get
Learn how to access your annual subsidized dental scaling through the NHIS to keep your teeth healthy without paying full price.
This scheme provides a subsidy for dental scaling, which is a professional cleaning procedure used to remove plaque and tartar from your teeth to help prevent gum disease.
Who it's for
This benefit is available to adults who are aged 19 or older. If you fall within this age bracket, you are eligible to access the subsidized cleaning service through your health insurance.
What you get
You are eligible for one subsidized dental scaling session every calendar year. This coverage is designed to make preventative dental care more affordable, ensuring that maintaining oral health is accessible for adults across the country.
What it costs you
While the government covers the majority of the cost, this is not a completely free service. You will be required to pay a small co-pay at the dental clinic when you receive your cleaning. Based on current rates, this cost is approximately ₩15,000-20,000.
The catch to know
The most important thing to remember is that this benefit follows the calendar year. This means the eligibility resets every January. Because the benefit does not carry over, it is a "use it or lose it" system; if you do not use your subsidized scaling before the end of the year, you will not be able to apply it to the following year.
How to apply
- Find a local dental clinic that participates in the national health insurance system.
- When you arrive for your appointment, inform the clinic staff that you want to use your annual insurance coverage for dental scaling.
- Undergo the professional cleaning procedure (스케일링) performed by the dentist.
- Pay the required small co-pay at the clinic's reception desk before leaving.