Many elderly people face dental health problems as they grow older, such as teeth cleaning, filling, and even needing to wear dentures. The related costs are often prohibitive. In order to reduce the financial burden of the elderly, there are currently multiple dental subsidy programs in Hong Kong, allowing eligible elderly people to receive the necessary dental treatment for free or at a discounted price. The following integrates the three major dental subsidy programs for the elderly to help you understand the application method and service scope.
1. Community Care Fund “Elderly Dental Service Subsidy” Program
Since its launch in 2012, the Community Care Fund has been providing dental service subsidies to the elderly, including: fitting removable dentures, oral examinations, teeth cleaning, fillings, tooth extraction, X-ray examinations, removal of bridges/crowns, and root canal treatment.
Latest optimization measures (effective from July 2, 2024)
Expand the scope of services: Even if the elderly are not suitable for dentures, they can still receive other dental services.
Cancel the service frequency limit: Complete the treatment within 6 months after the first visit, and there is no upper limit on the number of times.
Eligible applicants include:
Age 65 or above and receiving the Elderly Living Allowance, referred by designated centres or dental clinics;
Age 60 or above and receiving home care services subsidised by the Social Welfare Department;
Never benefited from this scheme, or aged 75 or above and used the service once five years ago;
Not participating in the Department of Health’s “Dental Outreach Service Scheme”;
Missing teeth or serious dental problems, and assessed by dentists as suitable for treatment.
Application method:
Elderly people need to go to the participating service units in person to fill in the application form and provide the required information. If they are unable to apply due to mental problems, their legal guardians or relatives can call the Hong Kong Dental Association Project Office to make special arrangements.
2. Department of Health’s “Elderly Dental Outreach Service Scheme”
This scheme aims to care for frail elderly people living in institutions or using day care centres. The outreach team is formed by non-governmental organisations designated by the government to provide door-to-door oral examination and care services, and also provide training for caregivers to enhance the oral health of the elderly.
Services include:
Free on-site oral examination
Oral health education, lectures and on-site training for the elderly and their caregivers
On-site treatment or referral to dental clinics when necessary
Eligible persons:
Holding a Hong Kong identity card and living in a nursing home or nursing home licensed by the Social Welfare Department;
Age 60 or above and using the services of an elderly day care center approved by the Social Welfare Department.
3. Community Chest “Elderly Tooth Extraction Discount $100″
For the elderly who only need simple tooth extraction, there is also an economical option. Anyone aged 65 or above can enjoy a tooth extraction service discount of only HK$100 per tooth at the mobile dental van or Tsz Wan Shan Dental Clinic.