The “Youth Dental Care Co-governance Pilot Program” launched by the Hong Kong government was launched today (20th). Young people aged 13 to 17 who hold valid identity cards and have joined the eHealth system can receive a government subsidy of HK$200 to go to private clinics participating in the program for oral examinations, teeth cleaning and other services, once a year. According to the co-payment amount of each clinic announced on the program website, two clinics only charge HK$50, which is currently the lowest fee in the program. The most expensive clinic charges HK$850, and there are also four other clinics with co-payments as high as HK$780.
The program adopts a co-payment method, and participants need to bear the co-payment determined by the clinic. The government recommends a co-payment of HK$200. The Department of Health said that currently, there are about 270 registered dentists whose applications have been accepted by the Department, with a total of more than 370 service points, of which more than 67% charge a co-payment of HK$200 or less.
The scope of subsidized dental services under the program includes oral examination, oral health risk assessment, teeth cleaning, personal oral care advice, dental fluoride treatment according to risk assessment results, and oral examination result report. Participants can view the list of dentists participating in the program through the program website, select a dentist and contact the relevant clinic to make an appointment. The list also lists the clinic address, telephone number, co-payment, etc.
In addition, to enhance the transparency of dental service charges, the Department also requires participating dentists to disclose not only the co-payment, but also the charges for X-ray examinations, fillings and tooth extractions provided under the pilot scheme. All clinics participating in the pilot scheme will post designated signs outside their doors or in conspicuous places.
On World Oral Health Day today, the Department of Health also calls on the public not to ignore the risk of dental diseases in their daily lives and reminds the public to maintain oral health through self-management. Consultant Dental Service Officer of the Department of Health, Dr. Hui Mei-yin, said that oral health is closely linked to physical health. It is recommended that the public should start from daily life, such as thoroughly cleaning teeth and dental crevices every day, and having regular oral examinations, etc., to reduce the risk of related diseases.
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