SINGAPORE - Many seniors who have not seen a dentist in a long time are getting their teeth checked and fixed now that they have the Pioneer Generation card that gives them a subsidy of up to $266.50.

Sharing this information on Thursday night, Dr Amy Khor, Senior Minister of State for Health said one in four from the Pioneer Generation have used their cards for dental care or to see a GP since the subsidies kicked in last month.

Some 24,000 have used their card when seeing a dentist, while another 85,000 have used the card to see a general practitioner as it gives them a subsidy of $28.50-$135, depending on their condition. The subsidy is capped at $540 per year for those with complex chronic ailments.

Dr Khor was speaking to the media just before the start of the 15th dialogue for grassroots leaders organised by the Ministry of Health (MOH) and the People's Association.

She said the sessions have "helped us to identify brewing issues and clarify them where necessary."

This includes confusion by pioneers who already hold a Community Health Assist Scheme (CHAS) card which entitles them to similar help at a GP clinic, but with lower subsidy.

Those who have maxed out their Blue CHAS card that gives them subsidies of up to $480 a year, will get only $60 ($540-$480) more in subsidies for the rest of the year.

Another area of confusion is information on the MediShield Life scheme which will be compulsory for all Singaporeans and permanent residents when it kicks in next year.

Some people who have Integrated Plans (IPs) which incorporate MediShield Life are asking if they should give up these plans which cover them for treatment as private patients.

Said Dr Khor: "It gave us the opportunity to explain what IPs are and that those in IPs will not be disadvantaged with the implementation of MediShield Life."