The “Youth Dental Care Joint Management Pilot Program” launched by the Hong Kong government started today. Teenagers aged 13 to 17 who hold a valid identity card and have signed up for eHealth can receive a government subsidy of HK$200 to receive oral examinations, teeth cleaning and other services at private clinics participating in the program. The subsidy is once a year. According to the co-payments of each clinic published on the plan website, two clinics only charge HK$50, which is currently the lowest fee in the plan. The most expensive clinic charges HK$850, and there are 4 other clinics with copayments as high as HK$780.
The plan adopts a co-payment method, and participants need to bear the co-payment fee determined by the clinic. The government recommends a co-payment fee of HK$200. The Department of Health stated that in the current plan, 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 scheme includes oral examination, oral health risk assessment, tooth cleaning, personal oral care advice, provision of dental surface fluoride treatment based on risk assessment results, and oral examination result reporting. Participants can check the list of dentists participating in the program through the program website. After selecting a dentist, they can contact the relevant clinic to make an appointment. The list also lists the clinic address, phone number, co-payment, etc.
In addition, in order to enhance the transparency of dental service charges, the Department also requires participating dentists to disclose the co-payments, as well as the charges for X-ray examinations, tooth fillings and tooth removal under the pilot scheme. All clinics participating in the pilot program will post designated signs outside their doors or in conspicuous places.
On the occasion of today’s “World Oral Health Day”, the Department of Health also calls on the public not to ignore the risk of dental disease in their daily lives and reminds the public to maintain oral health through self-management. Dr. Hui Mei-yin, Chief Consultant of Dental Services of the Department of Health, said that oral health and physical health are closely linked. It is recommended that the public should start with daily life, such as thoroughly cleaning teeth and between teeth every day, and regular oral examinations, etc., to reduce the risk of related diseases.
Related topics:
