The Consumer Council has issued a warning to the public, advising thorough scrutiny of service details and exercising caution before opting for dental services on the mainland. This advisory follows the discovery of over 50 complaints related to such services this year.
With Hong Kong’s aging population driving significant demand for dental care, a variety of treatments are available locally, albeit at varying costs. Some consumers, seeking more economical options, opt to cross the border for dental visits.
Statistics from the Consumer Council reveal a total of 51 complaints regarding dental services in the first five months of this year, marking a 15 percent decrease compared to the previous year. Among these complaints, 23 percent pertained to orthodontic services, with the remainder relating to cleaning and denture services.
Notably, the Consumer Council clarified that it has not received complaints directly from individuals obtaining dental services on the mainland. However, it highlighted a case where a patient, unable to secure a teeth reshaping appointment locally, opted for a mainland dental program costing HK$23,000. After experiencing issues with the procedure, the patient initially refrained from seeking a refund but later required intervention from the Consumer Council to resolve the matter.
The council emphasized the importance of consumers being aware that mainland China operates under a different regulatory framework overseen by the National Health Commission. In the event of disputes or incidents, consumers were advised to file written complaints with relevant authorities and provide medical reports for appropriate action.
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