The Hong Kong government will launch the “Youth Dental Care Co-governance Pilot Scheme” on March 20, 2025, to subsidize private dental check-up services for young people aged 13 to 17. The scheme aims to foster the habit of regular dental check-ups and prevent dental problems.
The scheme, proposed in the 2023 Policy Address and based on the advice of the Working Group on Oral Health and Dental Care, serves as an extension of dental care services for primary school students.
According to the Department of Health, the scheme will be implemented through a combination of government funding and public co-payment. Each eligible young person will receive a subsidy of $200 per year. Services include dental check-ups, oral health risk assessments, teeth cleaning, oral care advice, dental fluoride treatments, and oral examination reports.
Participants must hold a valid Hong Kong Identity Card and be registered for eHealth. Those under 16 must apply for eHealth membership through a designated decision-maker.
As of March 19, approximately 270 dentists have joined the scheme, covering over 370 service points. Over 60% of these dentists offer co-payments of $200 or less, with the lowest being just $50.
Starting March 6, citizens can visit the list of dentists on the scheme’s website and make appointments for services on or after March 20.
Permanent Secretary for Health and Medical Affairs, Dr. Chan Chung-ching, expressed his hope that the scheme, like the Elderly Health Care Voucher model, would be open to interested dentists and institutions, allowing all secondary school students the opportunity to benefit.
Meanwhile, the “Teeth Care” Youth Dental Support Programme, funded by the Community Chest of Hong Kong and implemented by the Christian Family Service Centre, will run for two years starting in 2024, providing oral examinations and treatment for secondary school students, filling the gap between public and private dental services.