Dental Designs Clinic | Dental Articles | Singapore

Baby Bonus in Singapore: CDA-Approved Dental Care for Your Child

Written by Dental Designs Clinic Singapore | Mar 22, 2025 4:59:42 AM

At Dental Designs Clinic, we understand how important it is to start dental care early to set your child up for a lifetime of healthy smiles. Managing the cost of essential dental services can be challenging for parents, and ensuring your child’s oral health needs are met without financial stress is crucial.

The Child Development Account (CDA) is an essential savings scheme in Singapore that helps parents manage their child's educational expenses and healthcare expenses. Parents receive a Baby Bonus Cash Gift and government contributions to their CDA account through the Baby Bonus Scheme, supporting their child's early years. Eligible parents can apply for the Baby Bonus registration through LifeSG using Singpass and access their funds via the CDA Bank Portal. The scheme covers expenses at Baby Bonus Approved Institutions, ensuring families can easily use their funds for educational and medical needs. Parents can check their CDA account balance and track their Baby Bonus payout schedule conveniently online.


Dental Designs Clinic is a Baby Bonus Approved Institution, so you can use your child’s CDA funds for a range of dental treatments at our clinic. This includes essential services like dental check-ups, basic treatments such as tooth fillings and extractions (tooth removal) as well as orthodontic treatments (teeth straightening) like dental braces and Invisalign.

 

What is the Child Development Account (CDA)?

The Child Development Account (CDA) is part of Singapore’s Baby Bonus Scheme, designed to support parents with the financial costs of raising children. When you open a CDA, your child will automatically receive the CDA First Step grant. Parents can then deposit funds into the CDA, and the government will match it, effectively doubling the savings for essential expenses like healthcare, education, and dental services.

 

How Does the CDA Work?

Opening a Child Development Account (CDA) is a simple process that begins with registering your child for the Baby Bonus Scheme. Parents can complete this registration online via the LifeSG mobile app or through the Ministry of Social and Family Development (MSF) website. After your child’s registration is approved, the CDA will be opened within 3 to 5 working days, and parents can start using the funds for eligible expenses.

Understanding Baby Bonus eligibility is crucial for parents looking to maximise benefits. The Baby Bonus 2024 initiative supports families with a structured payout plan, ensuring seamless birth registration and enrollment in approved schemes. Whether setting up a special savings account or managing a bank account for their child, parents can access expert parenting resources and parenting tips to make informed financial decisions. From handling cash gifts to covering costs at approved institutions, the CDA Baby Bonus ensures that Singaporean families have the financial support needed to raise a happy and healthy child.

 

Key Components of the CDA:
  • CDA First Step Grant
    Upon opening a CDA, the government provides an initial CDA First Step Grant, which is given regardless of whether parents make a contribution. This grant helps families kickstart their savings with an immediate boost, which can be used for various child-related expenses, such as healthcare, daycare/child care centres, and education.

  • Dollar-for-Dollar Matching
    For every dollar parents deposit into the CDA, the government will match it on a dollar-for-dollar basis, up to a specified cap. This means that the more parents contribute, the more the government will add, allowing them to grow their savings even faster for their child’s future needs.

  • Can Be Used for Siblings
    CDA funds are not just limited to one child. According to the Ministry of Social and Family Development (MCYS) regulations, parents can use CDA funds for their other children’s eligible expenses as well. To ensure the funds are properly allocated, parents need to provide the birth certificates of all children involved for verification.
 

 

Why Choose Dental Designs Clinic for Your Child’s Dental Care?

As part of a CDA-approved institution, we understand that a positive dental experience can shape your child’s attitude toward oral health for years to come. Here’s why families trust us with their children’s dental care:

  • Child-Friendly Environment
    We’ve designed our clinics with children in mind, creating a warm and welcoming atmosphere where kids feel safe and comfortable. From cozy blankets to fun glasses, we aim to make the dental visit a relaxing experience. Kids can also enjoy their favourite cartoons on a big screen during their treatment, helping them stay entertained while we take care of their smiles.

 

  • Experienced Dentists
    Our team of skilled and compassionate dentists is trained to address the unique needs of children. We take the time to explain procedures in a kid-friendly way, ensuring that your child feels informed and at ease. Whether it’s their first visit or a routine checkup, we aim to create a positive experience with every visit.

 

  • Comprehensive Treatment Plans
    At Dental Designs Clinic, we offer a full range of services to support your child’s dental health at every stage. From preventive care like cleanings and fluoride treatments to restorative options like fillings, extractions, and even orthodontic care such as braces and Invisalign, we create personalised treatment plans that are tailored to your child’s specific needs.

How to Use Baby Bonus for Dental Treatment at Dental Designs Clinic

 

1. Schedule an Appointment

When you’re booking your child’s dental appointment, let our team know that you’d like to use Baby Bonus CDA funds for payment. This will help us prepare for your visit and guide you through any additional steps required.

 

2. Bring the Necessary Documents on Appointment Day

On the day of your appointment, please bring along the following documents:

  • Your child’s birth certificate: This is required to confirm eligibility for using CDA funds.
  • Your NRIC: For identity verification purposes.
  • The NETS-CDA card: This card will be used for the payment transaction.

 

If you wish to use CDA funds for multiple children, please bring along the birth certificates of all siblings for verification, especially for recurrent expenses or one-time treatments over $500.
 
 

3. Proceed with dental treatment

Our dentist will begin your child’s dental treatment. From routine check-ups/dental examinations to complex procedures, our team will focus on providing the care your child needs in a comfortable and friendly environment.
 
 

4. Payment Process

When the dental treatment is completed, the payment process is simple. If there are enough funds in the CDA, the payment will be processed directly through your Baby Bonus NETS-CDA card. Any remaining balance can be settled using cash, credit card, or NETS. We’ll guide you through the process, making it easy to use your Baby Bonus for your child’s dental care.

 

Using Baby Bonus for dental treatment at Dental Designs Clinic is straightforward. From booking the appointment to handling payments, we make it simple for you to manage your child’s dental care without added stress.

 

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

  • Can I use Baby Bonus CDA for dental treatment at any dental clinic?
    Baby Bonus CDA funds for dental treatments can only be used at CDA-approved healthcare institutions/medical institutions. Dental Designs Clinic is a registered Baby Bonus Institution, so you can use your funds with us.

  • Is there a limit to how much I can use from my child’s CDA for dental treatment?
    The amount you can use depends on the available funds in your child’s CDA account. The government provides dollar-for-dollar matching contributions up to a certain cap based on the child’s birth order. If the CDA account does not have sufficient funds to cover the entire treatment cost, the remaining balance can be paid using other payment methods.

  • Can I use Baby Bonus CDA for non-essential dental treatments like teeth whitening?
    Currently, only essential dental treatments, including preventive care, basic restorative procedures, and orthodontics, are eligible for CDA payment. Non-essential cosmetic treatments, like teeth whitening, are not covered.

  • How do I know if a dental treatment is eligible for Baby Bonus CDA payment?
    We recommend confirming with our clinic before scheduling any treatment to ensure it is eligible for CDA payment. Our staff will assist you in verifying whether a specific dental procedure qualifies under the Baby Bonus Scheme.

  • Can Baby Bonus be used for a sibling’s dental treatment?
    Yes! At Dental Designs Clinic, you can use your child’s Baby Bonus funds for their sibling’s dental treatment. To do so, we require both children’s birth certificates for verification.

 

Conclusion

Starting dental care early is essential for your child’s long-term oral health. It sets a solid foundation for healthy teeth, gums, and good oral habits that will last throughout their life. One of the best ways to make visits at dental clinics more accessible and affordable is by using the Baby Bonus CDA. The CDA allows you to cover a wide range of dental treatments for your child, ensuring they get the care they need without the added financial stress.

If you have any questions about using Baby Bonus at Dental Designs Clinic, feel free to contact us today. We’re here to help!