The Department of Health (DH) announced that its newly established Special Care Dental Services Coordinating Committee (SCDSCC) held its first meeting on January 12, marking a key step in strengthening special care dental services in Hong Kong.
The SCDSCC will advise the Government on the long-term strategic development of special care dental (SCD) services, with the aim of improving oral health and quality of life for targeted population groups, particularly those who face difficulties in accessing dental care.
The committee is co-chaired by the Director of Health, Dr Ronald Lam, and Dr Frankie So, a member of the Specialty Board in Community Dentistry of the College of Dental Surgeons of Hong Kong. Its non-official members include representatives from local universities, the dental and healthcare sectors, allied health professions, and community leaders with relevant expertise.
At the inaugural meeting, members reviewed existing public SCD service strategies and discussed the overall oral health status of Hong Kong residents. They also examined ways to better address the needs of underprivileged groups, including people with financial difficulties, persons with disabilities or special needs, and other high-risk groups.
Dr Lam said oral health is a fundamental part of general health. He noted that the Government released the final report and action plan of the Working Group on Oral Health and Dental Care in December 2024, which promotes prevention-oriented primary oral healthcare across all age groups while prioritising essential dental services for disadvantaged communities.
He added that the Chief Executive’s 2025 Policy Address proposed further strengthening public and subsidised dental services, with greater emphasis on oral health education, hygiene instruction, risk assessment, early identification and timely treatment, with the goal of retaining natural teeth and improving overall health.
According to the Department of Health’s latest Oral Health Survey, the proportion of non-institutionalised adults aged 65 to 74 with no teeth fell sharply from 5.6 per cent in 2011 to 0.9 per cent in 2021, while the average number of remaining teeth increased from 19.3 to 22.8. Long-term care (LTC) users also showed improvements compared with 2011, although more than half still had untreated tooth decay and issues with oral cleanliness.
Dr Lam said these findings highlight the need to promote daily oral care among carers and to enhance training for dental professionals, as many LTC users require modified dental treatment due to complex medical conditions.
He added that the SCDSCC will help define the scope of special care dental services, monitor and review existing public services, identify service gaps, and advise on workforce planning, dental education, and the future recognition of Special Care Dentistry as a formal specialty in Hong Kong.
The appointments of SCDSCC members run from December 1, 2025, to November 30, 2027, for a two-year term.