Guide
Dental fillings at government clinics: charges and prevention
Government charges for fillings by type, and how Ministry of Health clinics use a caries risk assessment to prevent the next cavity and set your recall.
Compiled from MOH and MDC sources; not reviewed by a dentist; not medical advice. Government charges shown are from MOH documents and may change — confirm with the clinic.
Why fillings are needed
A filling repairs a tooth damaged by dental caries (tooth decay). The Ministry of Health (KKM) also works to stop new decay, using a risk assessment that is explained below.
Government filling charges by type
| Item | Kelas 1 | Kelas 2 | Kelas 3 | Pesakit Luar |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Filling, one surface | 40 | 30 | Free | 2 |
| Filling, more than one surface | 50 | 40 | Free | 2 per surface |
| Filling, baby (deciduous) tooth | 20 | 15 | Free | 2 |
| Temporary filling | 20 | 15 | Free | 2 |
| Inlay | 60 | 45 | Free | 3 |
| Crown (not including metal) | 100 | 75 | Free | 3 |
As an outpatient you pay RM2 for each surface filled, so a filling on two surfaces is RM4.
Amounts in RM. Kelas 1, Kelas 2 and Kelas 3 are hospital ward classes; Pesakit Luar is the outpatient charge, which applies to most clinic visits. These are charges for Malaysian citizens, from MOH Lampiran E (document dated April 2021), and may change. Non-citizens pay different rates. Confirm with the clinic.
Preventing the next cavity: MOH's risk-based approach
KKM clinics use a caries risk assessment. Each patient is classed as low, moderate or high risk, based on how much decay they have now and how many risk factors they have, such as sugary food or snacks between meals.
What you may be offered depends on that risk:
- Every patient gets brief dental health education and the advice to brush twice a day with fluoride toothpaste.
- Moderate or high risk patients may also get diet counselling, sugar-free chewing gum, high-fluoride toothpaste, fluoride mouthwash, fissure sealant, a preventive resin restoration or fluoride varnish.
Fissure sealant, preventive resin restoration (type 1) and fluoride varnish are described in the guideline as a minimally invasive approach that preserves tooth tissue.
| Prevention item | Kelas 1 | Kelas 2 | Kelas 3 | Pesakit Luar |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fissure sealant | 15 | 10 | Free | 5 |
| Topical fluoride | 15 | 10 | Free | 5 |
How often to return
KKM's guideline sets the recall visit at every 3, 6 or 12 months, depending on your caries risk. Your dentist decides which applies to you.
If decay has reached the nerve of the tooth, see root canal treatment.
Common questions
How much is a filling at a government clinic?
For Malaysian citizens as outpatients, Lampiran E lists RM2 per surface filled. A two-surface filling is therefore RM4. The document is dated April 2021 and charges may change.
Is a filling on a baby tooth charged differently?
In the outpatient column it is also RM2. The ward-class prices are lower than for a permanent tooth.
How often should I go back for a check-up?
KKM sets the recall at 3, 6 or 12 months depending on your caries risk, which the dentist assesses.
What is a caries risk assessment?
It is how KKM clinics class a patient as low, moderate or high risk of tooth decay, from current decay and the number of risk factors such as snacking on sugary food between meals. Higher-risk patients may be offered extra prevention such as fluoride varnish or fissure sealant.
Sources
- Lampiran E – Caj Pergigian (Rawatan Pergigian) Document is over 5 years old; check whether a newer version exists
- SOP Prevention of Dental Caries for Lifelong Smiles 2024
All sources were read on 14 Oct 2026. If a document has since been updated, the newer version applies.
Compiled from MOH and MDC sources; not reviewed by a dentist; not medical advice. Government charges shown are from MOH documents and may change — confirm with the clinic. Spotted a fact that is wrong or out of date? Tell us at hubungi@checkgigi.my.