Hong Kong’s homeless to benefit from new dental scheme for the disadvantaged

Hong Kong’s homeless will be eligible for a new dental care initiative through which authorities and welfare organisations will offer services to at least 40,000 underprivileged people annually, doubling the current capacity.

The scheme, which will launch in the second quarter of next year, is part of new measures authorities announced last week to improve public oral health through widening care coverage and boosting dentist manpower.

Permanent Secretary for Health Thomas Chan Chung-ching said authorities would be working with social welfare organisations to ensure as many disadvantaged groups would benefit as possible.

“Providing services to the homeless, for example, is not easy, even if you want to,” he said. “Therefore, one way the support programme is approaching this is by collaborating with social welfare organisations that already have service networks.”

Chan said groups already working with the homeless could refer individuals with dental issues to the non-governmental clinics participating in the programme.

“This way, we can help them receive the necessary preventive or therapeutic services,” he said. “This approach is more focused and ensures that those in need can access the services.”