Guide
Scaling and polishing: government charge and gum check
What scaling is for, how Ministry of Health clinics screen gum health with the BPE, what to tell the dentist first, and the official charge.
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 scaling and polishing is used for
Scaling removes calculus, the hardened deposit that builds up on teeth above and below the gum line. In the Ministry of Health (KKM) guideline on gum disease, calculus is one of the "plaque-retentive factors". Where these are found, the guideline calls for oral hygiene education and removal of those factors.
How gum health is screened in MOH clinics
KKM clinics use the Basic Periodontal Examination (BPE). It is a simple screening method to detect gum (periodontal) disease. It does not give a full diagnosis, but it shows the level of assessment and treatment that is needed.
In KKM primary dental clinics, the BPE screening described in the guideline is for patients aged 15 to 17 (school-age screening). The dental officer checks six index teeth: 16, 11, 26, 36, 31 and 46.
| BPE code | What the dental officer finds | What the guideline calls for |
|---|---|---|
| 0 | Healthy gums, no bleeding on probing | No treatment needed |
| 1 | Bleeding on probing | Oral hygiene education |
| 2 | Plaque-retentive factors, including calculus above or below the gum line | Oral hygiene education and removal of plaque-retentive factors |
The guideline also has codes 3 and 4. This guide does not cover them.
Tell your dentist if you take blood thinners or have a bleeding disorder
Before probing the gums, the guideline says the dental officer should check for medical problems such as:
- bleeding disorders, for example haemophilia
- blood-thinning medicine, for example warfarin
- a need for antibiotics before treatment (antibiotic prophylaxis)
If any of these apply to you, tell the dentist before the check starts.
Government charge
| Item | Kelas 1 | Kelas 2 | Kelas 3 | Pesakit Luar |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Scaling and polishing, per visit | 110 | 80 | Free | 2 |
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.
Daily care
KKM's caries prevention guideline says everyone should brush twice a day with fluoride toothpaste.
The KKM documents we used do not set a fixed interval for scaling. Ask your dentist how often you need it.
Common questions
How much is scaling at a government dental clinic?
Lampiran E lists RM2 per visit for scaling and polishing as an outpatient (Malaysian citizens). The document is dated April 2021 and the charge may change, so confirm with the clinic.
How often should I go for scaling?
The KKM documents used for this guide do not give a fixed interval. Ask your dentist.
What is a BPE?
The Basic Periodontal Examination is a simple screening of the gums. It does not give a full diagnosis but shows what level of assessment and treatment is needed. Code 0 means healthy gums, code 1 means bleeding on probing, and code 2 means calculus or other plaque-retentive factors.
Should I tell the dentist that I take warfarin?
Yes. KKM's guideline says the dental officer should check for bleeding disorders, blood-thinning medicine such as warfarin, or a need for antibiotic prophylaxis before probing the gums.
Sources
- Lampiran E – Caj Pergigian (Rawatan Pergigian) Document is over 5 years old; check whether a newer version exists
- Garis Panduan Pengurusan Penyakit dan Kondisi Periodontium (Basic Periodontal Examination)
- 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.