Dental Services to Merge with Hospital Authority Starting February 2026, Ensuring Continuity in Patient Care

Integration of Hospital Dental Service of Department of Health into Hospital Authority

​The Department of Health (DH) and the Hospital Authority (HA) today (December 15) announced that the Hospital Dental Service (HDS) currently provided by the DH will be integrated with the Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery (OMS) Service under the HA from February 6, 2026, and the service will be taken up by the HA.

As outlined in "The Chief Executive's 2024 Policy Address", a comprehensive review of the positioning and objectives of the healthcare system is under way, involving reforms of the functions and division of responsibilities among the HA, the DH and the Primary Healthcare Commission (PHC Commission). The DH will focus on its public health functions and executing its regulatory and enforcement roles. To implement this policy direction, the clinical services of the DH are being gradually integrated with either the HA or the PHC Commission.

Following the earlier transfer of the DH's Clinical Genetic Service to the HA, the DH's HDS will be managed by the HA startingFebruary 6next year. In fact, the seven Oral Maxillofacial Surgery and Dental Clinics (OMS&DCs) under the DH's HDS are all located within the following HA public hospitals, primarily providing specialist oral maxillofacial surgery and dental treatment for hospital in-patients, patients with special oral healthcare needs, and dental emergencies:

• Queen Mary Hospital;

• Pamela Youde Nethersole Eastern Hospital;

• Queen Elizabeth Hospital;

• Princess Margaret Hospital;

• Tuen Mun Hospital;

• Prince of Wales Hospital; and

• North District Hospital.

These clinics will continue to operate at the original sites and integrate with the existing OMS service in six public hospitals provided by the HA. This will help further streamline and optimise the overall service delivery.

To ensure continuity in patient care upon the transfer of service, all scheduled/follow-up appointment records for patients at the aforementioned seven OMS&DCs for dates on or afterFebruary 6, 2026, along with the cases and relevant medical records stored at these clinics, including clinical records, X-ray records, clinical photos, and dental casts, will be transferred to the HA. If patients/family members do not agree to have their cases and relevant medical records transferred to the HA, they should contact the DH by phone at3153 4044or by email (hds_enquiry@dh.gov.hk)on or beforeJanuary 16, 2026, to facilitate the necessary arrangements.

Patients who opt out of the arrangements should note that their follow-up appointments scheduled on or afterFebruary 6next year will be cancelled. Should they require future consultations at the HA's dental and OMS services, a new referral letter will be required for appointments, and new case consultation fees will be charged according to the HA's arrangements. Medical records that patients/family members refuse to transfer to the HA will be disposed of and destroyed by the DH in accordance with its record management policy after the service transfer. For enquiries about the arrangements, please contact the DH.

The Department of Health

The Hospital Authority, Photo by Bastille Post

7th Design Licensing and Business Support Scheme sponsored by CCIDA kicks off

The 7th Design Licensing and Business (DLAB) Support Scheme, sponsored by the Cultural and Creative Industries Development Agency (CCIDA) under the Culture, Sports and Tourism Bureau and organised by the Innovative Entrepreneur Association, held its kick-off ceremony today (January 19), announcing 39 selected local design companies.

The DLAB Support Scheme aims to provide training in marketing, brand building, and business operations, alongside professional consultancy and business matching services, to assist the selected enterprises in seizing the licensing opportunities and expanding into the Chinese Mainland and international markets. The 39 selected companies under this edition will participate in the study mission in the Greater Bay Area in late January, with a view to strengthening ties with the enterprises and exploring market potential on the Chinese Mainland. They will also exhibit at the DLAB Hong Kong Pavilion of the Hong Kong International Licensing Show 2026 organised by the Hong Kong Trade Development Council in April, showcasing their creative achievements and further enhancing the global visibility of Hong Kong designs.

Speaking at the kick-off ceremony today, Assistant Commissioner for Cultural and Creative Industries Miss Yvonne IP remarked that Hong Kong designers of the new generation have created original intellectual properties (IPs) that are contemporary and international with their unique perspectives. Their works are not only full of vitality but also embody the cultural identity and innovative spirit characteristic of Hong Kong. The Government will continue to support young designers in creating IPs and actively promote Hong Kong's IPs locally and internationally.

Since its first edition in 2018, the DLAB Support Scheme has supported over 300 local design companies, which have received over 4 000 business enquiries, reflecting the commercial potential and cross-sector collaboration appeal of Hong Kong's original IPs.

For more information on the DLAB Support Scheme, please visit www.dlabhk.com.

7th Design Licensing and Business Support Scheme sponsored by CCIDA kicks off Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

7th Design Licensing and Business Support Scheme sponsored by CCIDA kicks off Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases