Good News for Insured Workers: Starting May 1, 2026, Expanded Dental Benefits Including Impacted Tooth Extraction and Removable Dentures
Thailand's Social Security Office expands dental benefits for insured workers starting May 1, 2026, adding coverage for impacted tooth extraction, removable dentures, and dental implants to reduce out-of-pocket costs.
On May 2, 2026, Deputy Government Spokesperson Ploychaleaw Laksameesangchan announced that the government prioritizes insured workers and aims to improve their quality of life by reducing healthcare costs and expanding access to efficient medical services. The government, through the Ministry of Labor, directed the Social Security Office to develop dental benefits for insured workers under Sections 33 and 39.
Beginning May 1, 2026, social security dental benefits have undergone major improvements. Insured workers undergoing impacted tooth extraction no longer need to compete for filling benefits, as social security has allocated separate funding. Coverage is up to 2,500 baht per tooth for those who have contributed for at least three months within 15 months before service. Workers who leave employment retain dental protection coverage for up to six additional months.
New dental benefits effective May 1, 2026, include:
1. Tooth Extraction/Filling/Tartar Removal (Basic Benefits) - Private hospitals/clinics: 900 baht annually (unchanged) - Public hospitals: Expanded coverage including root scaling and bone contouring
2. Impacted Tooth Extraction - Previous: Covered under 900 baht annual limit; extraction at 2,500 baht required 1,600 baht out-of-pocket - New: Separate allocation, up to 1,500 baht per tooth (simple extraction) or 2,500 baht per tooth (complex extraction with bone grafting) - Public hospitals with agreements cover actual costs per standards
3. Removable Dentures - Previous: Limited coverage - New: Increased to 1,500-6,000 baht depending on number and type of teeth, plus 900 baht repair coverage per service
4. Dental Implants for Full Mouth Restoration - Previous: No coverage - New: Surgical fee of 17,500 baht per person for those who lost all teeth and cannot wear removable dentures, plus 3,300 baht per implant set, including follow-up care benefits
Insured workers using services outside contracted facilities must pay first and request reimbursement through e-Self Service or at Social Security offices nationwide. Additional information is available at provincial Social Security offices or the 24-hour hotline 1506.
