Denture Health Insurance Guide: Eligibility at Age 65+, Copay Rates, the 7-Year Cycle and Maintenance Benefits

In Korea, people aged 65 and over can have complete dentures and clasp-retained metal-base partial dentures made with national health insurance, and the copay for regular enrollees is 30%. A denture made once under the benefit has a 7-year benefit cycle, so in principle no new support is available within that time. Six adjustments within 3 months of fitting, and a set number of repairs and relines each year, are also covered by the benefit.

Published 2026-11-08 · Updated 2026-11-08 · DentalStatics editorial team

Key facts

Eligible age	Health insurance enrollees and dependents aged 65 or over (source: National Health Insurance Service (NHIS, 국민건강보험공단))
Copay rate	Health insurance 30%; near-poverty rare/intractable 5%, chronic disease 15%; medical aid type 1 5%, type 2 15% (source: National Health Insurance Service (NHIS, 국민건강보험공단))
Benefit cycle	7 years; one additional remake is possible with a medical opinion (source: National Health Insurance Service (NHIS, 국민건강보험공단))
Free follow-up care	Up to 6 visits within 3 months of fitting, consultation fee only with no procedure fee (source: National Health Insurance Service (NHIS, 국민건강보험공단))
Maintenance benefit examples	Direct and indirect reline once a year each, tissue conditioning twice a year, denture base repair twice a year (source: National Health Insurance Service (NHIS, 국민건강보험공단))
Cancelling registration	Benefits are restricted for 7 years after cancelling (source: National Health Insurance Service (NHIS, 국민건강보험공단))

Who can receive denture health insurance?

Under the National Health Insurance Service's senior denture benefit standards, people aged 65 and over are eligible for both complete and partial dentures under the benefit. A complete denture applies when there are no teeth at all in the upper or lower jaw, and a partial denture when a partial denture can be made with the remaining teeth.

The covered types are resin-base and metal-base complete dentures and clasp-retained metal-base partial dentures. The dental clinic registers the patient as an eligible person before starting fabrication, so if you have previously received an insured denture, check at the first consultation whether you can be registered.

How much is the copay?

Health insurance enrollees pay 30% of the total benefit cost. In the near-poverty group the rate is 5% for those with rare and intractable diseases and 15% for those with chronic diseases, and medical aid recipients pay 5% for type 1 and 15% for type 2.

The actual amount varies by whether it is the upper or lower jaw, whether it is a complete or partial denture, and the type of dental institution. Insured dentures are paid for in installments by step, so asking in advance how much you pay at each step makes it easier to plan the burden.

Health insurance enrollees: 30%
Near-poverty, rare and intractable disease: 5%
Near-poverty, chronic disease: 15%
Medical aid type 1: 5%
Medical aid type 2: 15%

Can a denture be remade within 7 years?

An insured denture has a 7-year benefit cycle, and in principle no additional compensation is given within that time. However, the NHIS states that if there is a medical opinion that the oral condition has changed severely and making a new denture is unavoidable, one additional remake is possible.

If you cancel your registration as a denture recipient, benefits are restricted for 7 years. Moving to another dental clinic during fabrication is also restricted, and if you stop partway you must pay the costs up to the step reached, so it is wise to choose the clinic carefully before starting.

Are adjustments and repairs after receiving the denture covered?

For 3 months after the denture is fitted, you can have sore spots adjusted up to 6 times, paying only the consultation fee with no procedure fee. Getting uncomfortable areas well adjusted during this period helps with later adaptation.

After that, maintenance benefits continue, with a 30% copay. Eligible people are those aged 65 and over wearing a complete denture or metal-base partial denture, including people using dentures made before the benefit existed. Exceeding the set annual number of times means paying the full cost.

Reline (direct and indirect): once a year each
Rebase: once a year
Tissue conditioning: twice a year
Artificial tooth repair, denture base repair, denture base adjustment: twice a year each
Occlusal adjustment: 4 times a year for simple, once a year for complex

How are temporary dentures and implant benefits used together?

When remaining teeth are newly extracted and a complete denture is made, a temporary complete denture worn for 1 to 2 months before the final denture is also covered at a 30% copay. A temporary partial denture worn while a clasp-type partial denture is being made is covered at the same rate, so you can go without gaps while waiting for the gums to settle.

The National Health Insurance Service allows implant benefits and partial denture benefits for ages 65 and over to overlap. So you can plan to fill some gaps with 2 implants and fill the remaining gaps with a partial denture. The denture design changes depending on which is done first, so it is best to consult about both treatments at once.

Common myths and facts

Myth: An insured denture must be replaced after 7 years.

Seven years is only the benchmark period after which benefits can be received again, not an obligation to replace. A well-fitting denture can keep being used with relines or adjustments, and when it no longer fits, it is covered again when a new one is made after 7 years.

Myth: Insured dentures are made only of resin.

For complete dentures, both resin-base and metal-base are covered, and for partial dentures the clasp-type metal-base is covered. However, dentures using gold or titanium are excluded from coverage.

Myth: Dentures made at your own expense before the benefit cannot get insured repairs.

The NHIS states that people who already own a denture are included in the maintenance benefit. If you are 65 or over and use a complete denture or metal-base partial denture, you can receive the benefit within the set number of times.

Frequently asked questions

If I am just before turning 65, is it better to wait?

Denture benefits apply from age 65, so if your birthday is close you can discuss the timing of starting with your dentist. However, if pain or chewing difficulty is severe, it is better to receive temporary treatment first.

Can I get both upper and lower dentures covered by insurance?

The NHIS defines a complete denture as for a jaw with no teeth at all, so eligibility is judged for each jaw. Whether each of the upper and lower can be registered is checked together when the dentist confirms eligibility.

Can I change dental clinics while an insured denture is being made?

Moving to another dental clinic during fabrication is restricted. If you stop, you must pay the costs up to the step reached, so when choosing the clinic to start with, consider distance and treatment schedule as well.

Where can I learn the copay for an insured denture in advance?

Insured dentures have fixed fees by step, so the dentist can tell you in advance what to pay at each step. The amount varies with upper or lower jaw, complete or partial denture, and type of dental institution, so ask for the total in your case.

Where can I check my denture benefit history?

The history is checked when the dentist registers you as an eligible person, and you can also inquire at the National Health Insurance Service customer center or branch offices. If you previously had an insured denture made at another clinic, remembering the date will speed up your consultation.

References

Korean version →