DH calls on members of public to maintain oral health for comprehensive physical and mental well-being in support of World Oral Health Day
In response to World Oral Health Day, the Department of Health (DH) today (March 20) released a new promotional video under the theme of "A Happy Mouth is … a Happy Life. Celebrate a Healthier, Happier Life with Us.", andis organising a thematic exhibition to remind the public that oral health is closely linked to overall physical and mental well-being. Members of the public of all ages are encouraged to view establishing and maintaining good oral care habits as a lifelong commitment.
Oral health is closely related to physical health
The Consultant in-charge of the Dental Services of DH, Dr Kitty Hse, remarked that oral health not only affects eating ability, language expression and personal appearance, but is also closely related to overall health. Excessive sugar intake in daily diets can cause tooth decay and also increases the risk of obesity, which is a major risk factor for diabetes and cardiovascular diseases. To address these health challenges, the Government has just launched Hong Kong's inaugural Action Plan on Weight Management, building a systematic strategy that spans the entire life cycle and covers the entire social environment. The Plan clearly sets out five key directions, and is co-ordinated by an interdepartmental Weight Management Working Group led by the DH. The initiative aims to promote city-wide attention to weight management and building a healthy and vibrant Hong Kong through concerted effortsacross the Government, industry, academia, and the community. Among these efforts, the Primary Healthcare Commission actively promotes the Life Course Preventive Care Plan through District Health Centres and District Health Centre Express (collectively referred to as District Health Centres (DHCs)), helping members of the public of all ages establish healthy lifestyles and self-health management awareness. Members of the public can participate in personalised weight management services, health talks, and exercise classes provided by DHCs to cultivate healthy living habits.
Controlling sugar intake is one of the most effective ways to achieve the concept of "A Happy Mouth is … a Happy Life". Dr Hse emphasised that sugar-reduction-based dental care habits should be cultivated from infancy. Parents should avoid letting infants fall asleep with a feeding bottle in their mouth and should brush their child's teeth twice daily once their child starts teething, to reduce the risk of tooth decay. During childhood and adolescence, parents should help their children establish the habit of brushing their teeth with fluoride toothpaste every morning and night, avoid frequent consumption of high-sugar snacks and drinks, and take their children for regular oral health check-ups annually, laying a solid foundation for good dental care from an early age.
Government dental services cover "all ages"
The Government adopts the strategy of widely promoting prevention-oriented primary oral healthcare among citizens across all age groups.
- Children aged 0 to 3: The Brighter Smiles Baby Programme was implemented at Maternal and Child Health Centres to provide free oral examinations and dental caries risk assessments for young children, while strengthening oral health education for parents and promoting early oral care, healthy dietary habits, and regular check-ups.
- Pre-school children attending kindergartens: The new Outreach Oral Health Outreach Programme for Pre-school Children (recently announced by the DH and to be launched from the 2026/27 school year) will provide oral health services for all pre-school children attending kindergartens in Hong Kong. Services include annual on-site oral examinations, oral health risk assessments, and fluoride applications, further enhancing oral health protection for pre-school children.
- All primary school students in Hong Kong: The School Dental Care Service provides oral examinations, basic preventive and treatment-based dental services for participating students.
- Adolescents aged 13 to 17: The Primary Dental Co-care Pilot Scheme for Adolescents serves as an interface with the School Dental Care Service by subsidising adolescents to access private dental services
The DH's dental services cover all primary and secondary school students under 18 and preschool children in Hong Kong, aiming to provide continuous oral health support from preschool through school age, help children establish good lifestyle habits from the earliest stages of life, and guide them to maintain regular oral check-ups throughout their lives for early prevention of dental problems.
Upon reaching adulthood, members of the public should cultivate good oral health habits through daily practices, including thorough daily cleaning of teeth and interdental spaces, regular oral check-ups, maintaining a balanced diet, reducing sugar intake, and avoiding smoking and alcohol consumption. These habits can help lower the risk of obesity, diabetes, and cardiovascular diseases. The Government provides oral health education, oral hygiene instructions, and risk assessment services in the community through DHCs and non-governmental organisations. It also collaborates with relevant dental clinics to assist DHCs in offering oral health care services to designated high-risk groups. Through implementing the principle of "early prevention, early detection and early treatment" of dental diseases, members of the public can effectively preserve their teeth and maintain oral function in later stages of life, thereby improving their overall quality of life.
To strengthen oral health protection, the Government launched the Community Dental Support Programme (CDSP) under the strategy of provision of essential dental services targeting underprivileged groups. The CDSP aims to provide subsidised preventive and curative dental services to the underprivileged with financial difficulties and homeless individuals. These services include oral examinations, medication for dental pain relief, X-rays examinations, dental scaling, fillings, extractions, removal of dental bridges and crowns, root canal treatment, and fitting of removable dentures. This helps underprivileged groups address oral health issues at an early stage and reduce the risk of oral disease progression.
Thematic exhibition on oral health
In support of this year's World Oral Health Day, Dr Hse said that the DH has not only launched a promotional video, but also organised a thematic exhibition at the following venues. Members of the public are welcome to visit:
- Kowloon Public Library: from March 20 to 22
- Ping Shan Tin Shui Wai Public Library: from March 24 to 31
For more information on oral health and relevant programmes, members of public may visit the DH's Oral Health Promotion Division's online platforms and relevant websites:
- Oral Health Promotion Division's webpage: www.toothclub.gov.hk
- "Love Teeth HK" Facebook page: www.facebook.com/LoveTeethHK
- Instagram account: www.instagram.com/loveteeth_hongkong
- YouTube channel: www.youtube.com/channel/UChJUkaM37cgbNGMi23v0ivQ
Photo source: Design image
