What are the National Health Insurance benefits and government subsidies for dental care?
In Taiwan, general dental examinations, fillings, root canals, extractions, basic periodontal treatment, and scaling once every six months for people aged 13 and above are covered by National Health Insurance; dental implants, dentures, and most orthodontic treatment are self-pay. The government also has two common subsidies: children's fluoride application, expanded from September 2026 to before August 31 of the year they enter elementary school, once every six months; and removable denture subsidies for low-income or middle-low-income older adults aged 65 and above (Indigenous people aged 55 and above), applied for at the county/city government at the place of household registration. The following is a neutral summary; actual conditions are subject to announcements by the competent authority.
Which dental procedures are covered by NHI
Under NHI regulations, most basic dental treatments are covered, while some require out-of-pocket payment:
- Common NHI-covered: general oral exams, cavity fillings (basic materials), root canal treatment, tooth extraction, basic periodontal treatment, scaling at prescribed intervals, etc.
- Common out-of-pocket: dental implants, dentures (removable or fixed), orthodontics (except specific conditions), teeth whitening, porcelain veneers, all-ceramic crowns, etc.
- A single treatment course may be partially covered by NHI and partially out-of-pocket (e.g., using special materials for fillings). Actual details depend on the clinic's explanation and NHI regulations.
Common government dental subsidy targets
In addition to NHI coverage, central and local governments provide dental-related subsidies for specific groups, with eligibility and amounts varying by location:
- Denture subsidies for the elderly: mostly administered by city/county governments; eligibility age, income conditions, and amounts depend on local announcements.
- Children's dental care: preventive services such as fluoride application and pit and fissure sealants for children under a certain age, according to NHI and local regulations.
- Dental care for people with disabilities: some cities/counties and contracted institutions provide dental services or related assistance for people with disabilities.
- Low-income individuals, etc.: some localities have additional dental or denture subsidy programs.
How to check your applicable coverage and subsidies
Since covered items, subsidy eligibility, and amounts are subject to change and vary by city/county, it is recommended to check the latest information through official channels:
- NHI coverage: check the website of the National Health Insurance Administration, Ministry of Health and Welfare, or consult an NHI-contracted clinic.
- Denture subsidies for the elderly and local subsidies: inquire with the city/county government (Social Affairs Bureau or Health Bureau) or the district office of your registered household.
- Actual eligibility determination and application procedures are subject to announcements by the competent authorities. This site only compiles public information and is not application advice.
Specific conditions for children's fluoride application and older adult denture subsidies in 2026
The following two items are national programs; the conditions are compiled from announcements by the competent authority and official documents (site verification date: 2026-09-11); local governments may have additional self-run programs:
- Children's dental fluoride application: The Department of Oral Health, Ministry of Health and Welfare announced an amendment on 2026-05-20; starting September 2026, for general children from age 0 until August 31 of the year they enter elementary school, one subsidized application every six months (the previous rule was under age 6); for children under 12 who are from low-income households, have disabilities, are registered in Indigenous peoples' areas, or are in remote or offshore island areas, once every 3 months.
- Subsidy for denture placement for middle-low-income older adults (Ministry of Health and Welfare implementation program): aged 65 or above, or Indigenous people aged 55 or above, assessed by a physician as having missing teeth and needing removable dentures, and meeting one of the following conditions: registered low-income household or middle-low-income household, receiving the middle-low-income older adult living allowance, receiving the disability living subsidy, or receiving fully government-subsidized residential care placement; those who have already received the same subsidy item for the same jaw must wait at least 5 years before reapplying, except for denture repair costs.
- Subsidy amounts: The central plan (amended version, ROC year 107 / 2018) has an appendix that sets maximum subsidy standards, such as NT$40,000 for full upper and lower removable dentures, NT$20,000 for full removable dentures for one jaw, NT$15,000 for partial removable dentures for one jaw, and NT$6,000 for removable denture repairs, and allows counties and cities to add subsidy items on their own according to their fiscal situation; actual announced amounts may differ by county and city; for example, the Tainan City Social Affairs Bureau (updated 2026-05-25) lists maximum amounts of NT$44,000, NT$22,000, NT$17,000, and NT$6,600 for repairs, respectively; for other counties and cities, please refer to the announcement of the household registration location.
- Application channels: for children's fluoride application, go to a medical institution that provides children's fluoride application services; for the denture subsidy, apply to the social affairs bureau (department) of the special municipality, county (city) government, or the township/city/district office at the place of household registration.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are dental implants covered by NHI or government subsidies?
Under current NHI regulations, dental implants are generally out-of-pocket and not covered by NHI. Some cities/counties provide denture subsidies for specific groups (e.g., the elderly), but whether implants are included and the eligibility criteria depend on local announcements. It is recommended to inquire with the city/county government of your registered household. This site only compiles public information.
Can I apply for denture subsidies? How?
Most cities/counties have denture subsidy programs for the elderly (and some low-income individuals, etc.). The eligibility, amount, and required documents vary by location. For actual eligibility and application procedures, please inquire with the Social Affairs Bureau or district office of your registered household, and refer to the latest official announcements.
Is teeth cleaning covered by NHI?
According to the National Health Insurance Administration, individuals aged 13 and above can receive NHI-covered teeth cleaning (scaling) once every six months; pregnant women and certain high-risk groups may have different frequencies. For detailed regulations, refer to the NHIA announcements.
What subsidies or benefits are available for children's dental care?
General dental treatments for children are mostly covered by NHI. Additionally, preventive services such as fluoride application and pit and fissure sealants are provided according to NHI and local regulations. For actual eligible ages and items, please refer to the NHIA and the health unit of your registered household.
Is orthodontic treatment covered by NHI?
Orthodontic treatment is generally out-of-pocket and not covered by NHI, except for conditions such as cleft palate or specific facial abnormalities. Whether an exception applies must be determined by medical and competent authorities; actual coverage is subject to NHI regulations.
Where can I find the latest dental subsidy information?
For NHI coverage, check the website of the National Health Insurance Administration, Ministry of Health and Welfare. For denture subsidies for the elderly and other local subsidies, inquire with the Social Affairs Bureau or Health Bureau of your registered city/county, or the district office. Subsidy content may change annually; always refer to the latest official announcements.
Up to what age is the children's fluoride application subsidy provided? How often can it be applied?
According to the amendment announced by the Department of Oral Health, Ministry of Health and Welfare on May 20, 2026, and implemented from September of the same year, for general children, from age 0 until August 31 of the year they enter elementary school, subsidized fluoride application is available once every six months (the previous rule was under age 6); for children under 12 who are from low-income households, have disabilities, are registered in Indigenous peoples' areas, or are in remote or offshore island areas, it is once every 3 months. Actual conditions are subject to announcements by the competent authority.
What are the eligibility requirements for the denture subsidy for older adults aged 65? What is the maximum subsidy amount?
Under the Ministry of Health and Welfare's 'Implementation Plan for Subsidizing Dentures for Low- and Middle-Income Older Adults,' eligible individuals are those aged 65 or older (55 or older for Indigenous people), assessed by a physician as needing removable dentures, and who have one of the following statuses: registered low-income household or low- and middle-income household; receipt of a low- and middle-income older adult living allowance or disability living subsidy; or similar. They apply to the county or city government of their household registration location; for the same item on the same jaw, at least 5 years must pass before reapplying. The maximum subsidy standard under the central plan for full upper and lower removable dentures is NT$40,000; actual amounts may differ by county and city; for example, Tainan City provides up to NT$44,000. Some counties and cities also have self-run programs that relax the age or target population (for example, Taipei City relaxes the age to 55 or older for low-income and low- and middle-income households). Please refer to the announcement of the household registration location.
Official sources: 中央健康保險署, 食品藥物管理署, 衛生福利部, 醫事服務機構辦理口腔預防保健服務注意事項（衛生福利部口腔健康司）, 兒童塗氟補助年齡放寬 9月起延至國小入學前（中央社，2026-05-23）, 中低收入老人補助裝置假牙實施計畫（衛生福利部）, 臺南市政府中低收入老人補助裝置假牙實施計畫（臺南市政府社會局）, 中低老人假牙補助的補助對象及申請資格（臺北市政府社會局常見問答）
This page is a neutral information compilation for reference only, not medical advice, and does not constitute any treatment commitment.