The Hong Kong Department of Health recently announced that from June 1, 2024, the service capacity of government dental clinics will be further increased to better meet the oral health needs of the public. The Department pointed out that the daily service quota of 9 government dental clinics in Hong Kong will be increased, and the number of appointments per session in some clinics will be increased to a maximum of 55, which is an increase from the past, and it is expected to greatly shorten the waiting time for citizens.
The Department of Health said that the key behind this service expansion lies in the continuous improvement of dental manpower. In the past year, the government has successfully recruited more than 65 new dentists, which has significantly strengthened the dental professional manpower and provided a solid foundation for improving public dental services.
In addition to increasing the number of clinics, the Department of Health also plans to launch a new “Community Dental Support Program” in conjunction with non-governmental organizations on May 26, 2024, aiming to provide basic and timely dental treatment services to disadvantaged groups with financial difficulties. The program focuses on serving low-income people, the elderly, people with disabilities and other marginalized communities to ensure that they do not ignore oral health due to economic barriers.
According to the plan, each eligible person can apply for dental treatment services once every 180 days. Each treatment can treat up to 3 teeth, and the service scope covers basic dental procedures such as tooth extraction, pain relief and filling, with the aim of alleviating their dental pain and improving their quality of life.
The Department of Health emphasized that the government is committed to improving the oral health level of the whole people, and pays special attention to the accessibility and fairness of supporting grassroots citizens when facing dental problems. In the future, resource allocation and service coverage will be continuously evaluated to benefit more citizens in need.
This policy adjustment not only responds to the growing demand for public dental services in society, but also reflects the government’s efforts to promote the concept of “prevention first, treatment second” in the public medical system. By improving staffing and strengthening cross-sector cooperation, the government hopes to establish a more inclusive and sustainable community dental care model.
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