Hongkongers could undergo eligibility tests for seeking dental treatments at public clinics

Hong Kong residents seeking dental services at public clinics may undergo eligibility tests before consultation, as health authorities announce new measures to improve the city’s oral health and focus resources on needy people.

Dental services at private dental clinics will also be subsidised for adolescents under a programme that will be launched early next year, with costs set to be as low as HK$200 (US$26), according to recommendations released by the government’s Working Group on Oral Health and Dental Care on Friday.

The group, set up in 2022 and chaired by permanent secretary for health Thomas Chan Chung-ching, highlighted the importance of prevention in the city’s oral health strategy.

Chan said the group suggested that the future dental care and oral health services should be “widened” to cover all residents, and “narrowed and deepened” to focus on disadvantaged groups.

“We suggest the government reverse the oral health and dental care system’s tendencies of emphasising treatment over prevention to focusing on prevention, early diagnosis and early treatment,” he said.

Addressing public concerns over long queues for public dental services amid a manpower crunch, the working group revealed that the government is considering introducing an eligibility test to people seeking treatment at dental clinics under the Department of Health, in a bid to focus the services on those who are financially in need.

At the same time, NGOs will be engaged to offer more affordable services for the needy and high-risk groups.