Hong Kong Launches Special Care Dental Services Coordinating Committee to Enhance Oral Health for Targeted Groups

DH's Special Care Dental Services Coordinating Committee holds first meeting

The Special Care Dental Services Coordinating Committee (SCDSCC) under the Department of Health (DH) held its inaugural meeting today (January 12). The SCDSCC will advise the Government on the long-term strategic development of special care dental (SCD) services in Hong Kong, with the aim of further enhancing the oral health and quality of life of targeted population groups.

The newly established SCDSCC is co-chaired by the Director of Health, Dr Ronald Lam, and a member of the Specialty Board in Community Dentistry of the College of Dental Surgeons of Hong Kong, Dr Frankie So. Non-official members include representatives from local universities, the dental profession, the healthcare sector, allied health professions and distinguished community members with extensive experience and profound knowledge in relevant fields (see Annex for the list of members).

The SCDSCC reviewed the strategies for public SCD services and the overall oral health condition of the Hong Kong population. Members also discussed how to better address the needs of targeted population groups.

"Oral health is an integral part of general health. In December 2024, the Government released the final report of the Working Group on Oral Health and Dental Care and the corresponding action plan, adopting the strategy to promote prevention-oriented primary oral healthcare among citizens across all age groups while providing essential dental care services for underprivileged groups in particular. It targets underprivileged groups who have difficulties in accessing dental care, namely those with financial difficulties, persons with disabilities or special needs and high-risk groups, to receive essential dental services (including preventive and curative oral health and dental care services) through the public system or subsidy programmes. The Chief Executive proposed to bolster public and subsidised dental services in the 2025 Policy Address to enhance oral health education, oral hygiene instructions, risk assessments, and more in the community. Our target is to implement the strategy that emphasises prevention, early identification, and timely intervention of dental diseases with the objective of retaining teeth, thereby achieving oral and general health of the public," said Dr Lam.

"The Government established the SCDSCC to promote synergy between the Government and the industry, precisely define the scope of SCD services and ensure that the services can meet the specific needs of the targeted groups. The SCDSCC will also monitor, evaluate and review existing public SCD services, including identifying the gaps and challenges in the current service model in order to formulate long-term strategies for enhancing SCD services for the specific groups. Additionally, we will advise on workforce planning and strategies for dental education with respect to SCD services and provide guidance on establishing Special Care Dentistry as a formally recognised specialty in Hong Kong," he added.

According to the latest Report of the Oral Health Survey by the DH, the proportion of non-institutionalised older persons aged 65 to 74 with no teeth significantly dropped from 5.6 per cent in 2011 to 0.9 per cent in 2021, while their number of "teeth in mouth" increased from 19.3 to 22.8 in parallel. This survey also found more remaining teeth in those aged 65 years or above who are long-term care (LTC) users, and a smaller proportion of them had complete tooth loss when compared to the same population groups in 2011. However, untreated decayed teeth were found in more than half of the LTC users, and the cleanliness of their teeth and prostheses was a concern. Therefore, the importance of daily oral care must also be promoted to their carers. The majority of LTC users required modifications in the provision of dental treatment due to their complex medical conditions. Enhanced training for dental professionals to support the future development of primary oral healthcare and SCD services is therefore crucial.

Dr Lam expressed gratitude to all SCDSCC members for contributing valuable insights from their diverse areas of expertise to improve the oral health and quality of life of specific groups, providing the Government with valuable information.

The appointments of the SCDSCC members are effective from December 1, 2025, to November 30, 2027, for a term of two years.

DH's Special Care Dental Services Coordinating Committee holds first meeting Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

DH's Special Care Dental Services Coordinating Committee holds first meeting Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

DH's Special Care Dental Services Coordinating Committee holds first meeting Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Nominations open for Anti-rodent Partner Awards 2026

The Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD) announced today (January 12) the launch of the Anti-rodent Partner Awards 2026, with nominations open from now until February 11.

To raise public awareness of environmental hygiene and encourage people to work together to cultivate good habits for a rodent-free environment, the FEHD launched the Anti-rodent Charter (the Charter) in December 2024. Property management companies, owners' corporations and residents' organisations of private residential premises were invited to participate and jointly create a rodent-free environment. To date, over 680 organisations and groups have signed the Charter, becoming Anti-rodent Partners of the FEHD.

The Anti-rodent Partner Awards 2026 aims to encourage residential premises to establish long-term anti-rodent mechanisms; enhance residents' attention to and engagement in environmental hygiene; and promote experience sharing and interaction among communities. The FEHD hopes that by commending proactive organisations and groups, more stakeholders will be motivated to engage in rodent prevention and control work; cultivate good habits of maintaining environmental hygiene; achieve the ultimate goal of "rodent eradication for all, building a rodent-free community"; and create a healthier, safer and more liveable environment for the public.

All Anti-rodent Partners who have signed the Charter are eligible for nomination. Details of the activity and application methods have been uploaded to the Charter's website (www.fehd.gov.hk/english/pestcontrol/anti_rodent_charter.html).

An online briefing session will be held on January 16 (Friday) to introduce the details of the activity to Anti-rodent Partners. Interested organisations or groups may register by emailing anti_rodentcharter@fehd.gov.hk.

An FEHD spokesman emphasised that effective rodent prevention and control hinges on the co-operation of government departments, relevant sectors, stakeholders, as well as members of the public to bolster anti-rodent efforts in their respective areas. Members of the public should maintain good environmental hygiene and eliminate the three fundamental survival conditions of rodents, namely food, harbourage and passages, i.e. the elimination of the food sources and hiding places of rodents as well as blockage of their dispersal routes.

The FEHD appeals to residential estates, property management companies and residents' organisations that have not yet signed the Charter to sign it and become Anti-rodent Partners, taking concrete actions to contribute to rodent prevention and control efforts, and jointly create a more liveable environment.

Source: AI-found images