DH organises symposium on "A New Era for Dental Services in Hong Kong" to celebrate 80th anniversary of its Dental Services
The Department of Health (DH) today (June 14) organised a symposium entitled "A New Era for Dental Services in Hong Kong" at the Auditorium of the Hong Kong Palace Museum. Renowned dental academics from the Mainland and overseas, as well as local dental professionals explored the way forward and measures to promote oral health and foster the sustainable development of the dental services in Hong Kong. The symposium also celebrated the important milestone of the 80th anniversary of the establishment of the DH's Dental Services.
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DH organises symposium on "A New Era for Dental Services in Hong Kong" to celebrate 80th anniversary of its Dental Services Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
DH organises symposium on "A New Era for Dental Services in Hong Kong" to celebrate 80th anniversary of its Dental Services Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
DH organises symposium on "A New Era for Dental Services in Hong Kong" to celebrate 80th anniversary of its Dental Services Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
DH organises symposium on "A New Era for Dental Services in Hong Kong" to celebrate 80th anniversary of its Dental Services Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
The Secretary for Health, Professor Lo Chung-mau; the Director of Health, Dr Ronald Lam; the incumbent Consultant in-charge of the Dental Services of the DH, Dr Kitty Hse; and four former Consultant in-charge of the Dental Services of the DH officiated at the opening ceremony of the symposium.
In his address, Professor Lo said, "Oral health is vital to overall health. At the end of last year, the Government released the final report of the Working Group on Oral Health and Dental Care, shifting the focus of Hong Kong's oral health and dental care system from treatment-oriented to an approach targeting prevention, early identification and timely intervention. The Government adopts the strategies of widely promoting among citizens across all age groups prevention-oriented primary oral healthcare, and provides essential curative dental care services targeting underprivileged groups."
He stressed that the Primary Dental Co-care Pilot Scheme for Adolescents launched by the Government in March 2025 is an initiative of widely promoting among citizens, encouraging adolescents to prevent dental diseases while the Community Dental Support Programme launched last month is an initiative focusing on enhancing dental services for the underprivileged (including elderly who have financial difficulties). The Government looks forward to collaborating with the dental professionals, training institutions, non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and the members of the public to usher in a new era of dental services in Hong Kong, and continue to enhance various initiatives to promote oral health for all.
Dr Lam said in his welcoming speech, "Since its establishment in 1945, the Dental Services of the DH has achieved significant development over the past 80 years. From providing emergency dental extraction service during the post-war period to introducing fluoridation of drinking water in Hong Kong in 1961 to combat and prevent dental diseases; to rolling out the prevention-oriented School Dental Care Service for all primary school students in Hong Kong in 1980, which has been well-received by parents; to providing specialist dental services to patients with special healthcare needs; and to implementing various community dental care programmes to cater for the needs of the elderly and underprivileged, etc. The Dental Services is expanding to meet the needs of the society, enhancing both the quality and quantity of services."
He added that the Dental Services of the DH endeavours to grow alongside Hong Kong, and will continue to actively implement the Oral Health Action Plan through policy innovations, leveraging on technology and community collaboration, with emphasis on providing preventive care to the public and special community dental services to underprivileged groups, in order to promote oral health and the retention of natural teeth.
The World Health Organization (WHO) Regional Director for the Western Pacific, Dr Saia Ma'u Piukala, also delivered a video message for the symposium. The keynote speakers were Professor Hiroshi Ogawa, the Director of the WHO Collaborating Centre for Translation of Oral Health Science; Professor Zheng Shuguo, the Chairman of the Department of Preventive Dentistry of the School of Stomatology of Peking University; and Dr Navdeep Kumar, Consultant in Special Care Dentistry of University College London. They shared insights on topics such as the WHO Global Strategy and Action Plan on Oral Health (2023-2030), the Mainland's policy and efforts to promote global oral health, and the challenges and innovations in providing dental care to adult patients with special needs.
Sixteen NGOs and partners who have been actively participating in government-subsidised dental programmes such as Outreach Dental Care Programme for the Elderly, Healthy Teeth Collaboration and Special Oral Care Service, were invited to attend the symposium to share their fruitful achievements in serving the elderly and persons with special needs.
Apart from the symposium, the Bright Smiles Mobile Classroom of the DH's Oral Health Promotion Division, decorated with a theme celebrating the 80th anniversary of the establishment of the Dental Services, will tour around Hong Kong districts to promote oral health to the public. Details will be announced on the Facebook fan page of "愛牙 Love Teeth HK" later.
DH organises symposium on "A New Era for Dental Services in Hong Kong" to celebrate 80th anniversary of its Dental Services Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
DH organises symposium on "A New Era for Dental Services in Hong Kong" to celebrate 80th anniversary of its Dental Services Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
DH organises symposium on "A New Era for Dental Services in Hong Kong" to celebrate 80th anniversary of its Dental Services Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
DH organises symposium on "A New Era for Dental Services in Hong Kong" to celebrate 80th anniversary of its Dental Services Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
Update on chikungunya fever
The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health announced that, as of 5pm today (January 11), no new cases of chikungunya fever (CF) had been recorded.
Latest surveillance data
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Hong Kong has recorded a total of 82 confirmed CF cases last year. Among them, 11 were local cases, and the rest were imported cases.
Since the beginning of 2025, and as of December 10, 2025, a total of 502 264 CF cases and 186 CF-related deaths have been reported in over 40 countries/territories. Cases have been reported in the Americas, Africa, Asia, and Europe. Although the northern hemisphere has entered the winter season, temperatures in subtropical and some temperate regions remain elevated due to climate change, creating favourable conditions for mosquito breeding. In addition, CF outbreaks continue to occur in many countries worldwide. The risk of imported cases persists. Members of the public should check the situation of the destinations before travelling abroad, especially when travelling to Southeast Asian countries.
Government's comprehensive follow-up actions
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Given that some local cases of CF have visited the Tsing Yi Nature Trails or the surrounding area in November last year, the trails are currently closed until further notice. Relevant government departments continue to conduct large-scale mosquito control and prevention efforts along the trails, and the CHP appeals to the public not to enter the area in order to reduce the risk of contracting CF and to avoid exposure to chemicals or interfering with the mosquito control operations. Since the confirmation on December 10, 2025, of a case involving a person who had visited the Tsing Yi Nature Trails on November 30, 2025, no further local cases have been recorded to date. The CHP continues to urge individuals who have recently hiked along the Tsing Yi Nature Trails to seek medical attention as soon as possible if they develop relevant symptoms and to call the enquiry hotline (Tel: 2125 2373), which operates from 9am to 6pm.
The Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD) has been continuously conducting intensive fogging operations to eliminate adult mosquitoes along the Tsing Yi Nature Trails and the surrounding area. At suitable locations, large ultra-low volume foggers have been deployed, and a robot dog is being put on trial to enhance operational effectiveness. The FEHD has also set up new mosquito trapping devices, cleared discarded containers and garbage that could cause stagnant water, and applied larvicide oil or larvicides in areas with stagnant water that cannot be removed immediately. The FEHD has been collaborating with the Kwai Tsing District Office, the Lands Department and the Drainage Services Department to strengthen efforts in eliminating potential mosquito breeding sites along the Tsing Yi Nature Trails. Pamphlets have been distributed to hikers in the area, urging citizens to be vigilant against mosquito infestations and take personal protective measures. The FEHD has also held meetings of the interdepartmental task forces on anti-mosquito work across districts to discuss the latest developments regarding the situation and plan accordingly to co-ordinate relevant departments and stakeholders in strengthening mosquito prevention and control measures in areas under their purview.
Continuously strengthening prevention and control
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The FEHD and relevant departments have comprehensively enhanced the mosquito control operations in Hong Kong since July last year, and this has continued. Among these, the FEHD has conducted vector investigations and targeted mosquito control operations against the imported and local cases. In light of the local case, the FEHD has immediately conducted follow-up actions, including:
carrying out intensive fogging in scrubby areas within a 250-metre radius of the relevant locations to kill adult mosquitoes;
carrying out inspections of the locations, removing stagnant water, applying insecticides and disposing of abandoned water containers every week with a view to preventing mosquito breeding; and
enhancing public education efforts through organising health talks, setting up mobile education stations, and distributing publicity leaflets.
The abovementioned measures will be continued. Furthermore, the Government will further enhance the mosquito control efforts in addition to the existing measures.
Preventive measures to be taken by the public
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Members of the public should use DEET-containing insect repellents or other effective active ingredients properly to prevent mosquito bites, but the following precautions should be taken when using them:
read the label instructions carefully first;
apply right before entering an area with a risk of mosquito bites;
apply on exposed skin and clothing;
use DEET of up to 30 per cent for pregnant women and up to 10 per cent for children (for children who travel to countries or areas where mosquito-borne diseases are endemic or epidemic and where exposure is likely, those aged 2 months or above can use DEET-containing insect repellents with a DEET concentration of up to 30 per cent);
apply sunscreen first, then insect repellent;
reapply only when needed and follow the instructions; and
in addition to DEET, there are other insect repellents available on the market containing different active ingredients, such as IR3535 and picaridin. When using any insect repellent, the public should follow the usage instructions and precautions on the product label.
The FEHD also appeals to members of the public to continue to stay alert and work together to carry out mosquito prevention and control measures early, including inspecting their homes and surroundings to remove potential breeding grounds, changing water in vases and scrubbing their inner surfaces, removing water in saucers under potted plants at least once a week, and properly disposing of containers such as empty cans and lunch boxes. The FEHD also advises members of the public and property management agencies to keep drains free of blockage and level all defective ground surfaces to prevent the accumulation of water. They should also scrub all drains and surface sewers with an alkaline detergent at least once a week to remove any mosquito eggs.
The public should call 1823 in case of mosquito problems, and may visit the following pages for more information: the CF page of theCHPand theTravel Health Service, the latestTravel Health News,tips for using insect repellents, and the CHPFacebook Page,Instagram AccountandYouTube Channel, and also theMosquito Prevention and Control dedicated pageof the FEHD.
Source: AI-found images
