Guide
Root canal treatment at MOH clinics: where and how much
What root canal treatment is for, how the Ministry of Health decides which clinic treats your case, who gets priority, and the official charges.
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.
What root canal treatment is for
According to the Ministry of Health (KKM) endodontic guideline, root canal treatment aims to treat badly damaged teeth so that they do not have to be extracted and can stay in the mouth.
Where it is done in MOH: by complexity
Since 2012, KKM has run Primary Dental Endodontic Clinics (KEPP). Each case is graded by how complex it is, using an RDITN code, and the code decides where it is treated:
| Case | Where it is treated |
|---|---|
| Code 1 | Any primary dental clinic |
| Code 2 | Primary Dental Endodontic Clinic (KEPP) |
| Code 3, and failed cases or re-treatment | Restorative specialist unit (UPPR) |
If your district has no KEPP, cases that are not code 1 go straight to the nearest restorative specialist.
Who gets priority
The guideline names two priority groups: school pupils and pregnant mothers.
When is it finished, and what about a crown?
At primary level, treatment counts as complete once all the root canals have been filled (obturated) and the tooth has a permanent or temporary filling. A post, core or crown is not done at primary level: the patient is referred to a restorative specialist for it.
Government charges
| Item | Kelas 1 | Kelas 2 | Kelas 3 | Pesakit Luar |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Root canal treatment, front (anterior) tooth | 75 | 60 | Free | 4 |
| Root canal treatment, back (posterior) tooth | 150 | 115 | Free | 4 |
| Pulpotomy | 75 | 60 | Free | 4 |
| Pulpectomy | 100 | 75 | Free | 4 |
| Pulp extirpation | 25 | 20 | Free | 4 |
| Apexification | 100 | 75 | Free | 4 |
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.
The endodontic guideline is a 2019 revision. We found no newer version on the KKM Oral Health Programme site; check with the clinic for current practice.
Common questions
How much is root canal treatment at a government clinic?
For Malaysian citizens as outpatients, Lampiran E lists RM4 for root canal treatment on a front or back tooth. The ward-class prices differ: RM150 in Kelas 1 for a back tooth, for example. The document is dated April 2021 and charges may change.
Will my root canal be done at my usual government clinic?
It depends on complexity. Code 1 cases are treated at any primary dental clinic, code 2 at a Primary Dental Endodontic Clinic (KEPP), and code 3 or re-treatment cases by a restorative specialist.
Is a crown part of the treatment?
Not at primary level. Treatment there is complete once the canals are filled and the tooth has a filling. A post, core or crown is referred to a restorative specialist.
Who gets priority for root canal treatment?
KKM's guideline gives priority to school pupils and pregnant mothers.
Sources
- Garis Panduan Perkhidmatan Pergigian Endodontik di Klinik Pergigian Primer (semakan 2019) Document is over 5 years old; check whether a newer version exists
- Lampiran E – Caj Pergigian (Rawatan Pergigian) Document is over 5 years old; check whether a newer version exists
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.