Bangkok: Labour Minister Jullapan Chulabhorn has announced that starting May 1, 2026, expanded dental benefits will be available under the social security system to alleviate the financial burden on insured individuals.

According to Thai News Agency, Minister of Labour Chulaphan Amornvivat stated that the Ministry of Labour has directed the Social Security Office to enhance dental benefits for insured persons under Section 33 and Section 39. The initiative aims to improve quality of life, reduce healthcare costs, and increase access to medical services comprehensively and efficiently.

For insured individuals receiving services at government medical facilities with an agreement with the government, all dental services such as fillings, scaling, tooth extraction, and wisdom tooth removal will be covered. Additional benefits include root planing and bone trimming for denture preparation, with no limit on the number of times based on medical standards and necessity. Insured individuals will not incur any costs except when visiting specialized clinics, where they must cover the doctor's fees according to Ministry of Public Health rates for Thai people in 2025. Denture coverage will increase to 1,500 - 6,000 baht, and denture repair to 900 baht per repair. The expanded coverage also includes dental implants for full mouth dentures, with 17,500 baht for surgery and 3,300 baht for the implant kit, along with ongoing follow-up care.

For insured persons receiving services at private medical facilities with an agreement with the company, services like fillings, scaling, and tooth extraction will have a limit of 900 baht per year. Any costs exceeding this limit must be paid by the insured person. The cost of wisdom tooth extraction will increase to 1,500 - 2,500 baht per tooth, with no additional cost to the insured. Denture coverage will also increase to 1,500 - 6,000 baht, and denture repair to 900 baht per repair. The expanded dental implant coverage remains consistent with that at government facilities.

Ms. Kanjana Poolkaew, Secretary-General of the Social Security Office, highlighted that dental benefits are accessible when insured persons have contributed for at least 3 months within a 15-month period before the service date, and within 6 months post-termination of their insured status. If services are utilized at non-agreement medical facilities, the insured must pay upfront and apply for a refund via the e-Self Service system or at any Social Security Office. Further information can be obtained from Social Security Offices in Bangkok, provincial/branch offices, or the Social Security Hotline 1506, available 24/7.