Department of Health Launches Free Oral Health Services for Pre-school Children Starting from September 1

DH to launch Outreach Oral Health Programme for Pre-school Children on September 1 to provide free oral health services to all kindergarten students on campus

The Department of Health (DH) announced today (August 24) that a new "Outreach Oral Health Programme for Pre-school Children (OOHP)" will be launched on September 1. Professional dental teams from service providers designated by the Government will visit kindergartens to provide students with free oral screening and preventive dental care on campus. The DH called on kindergartens and parents across Hong Kong to actively participate in the OOHP, working together to help children nurture good oral hygiene habits from an early age.

Children aged 32 months or older who are studying in participating kindergartens are eligible to receive the service free of charge through the OOHP. Eligible students may receive the service once a year. It is estimated that tens of thousands of children and their parents will benefit from the OOHP.

Designated service providers will send professional dental teams to kindergartens to provide participating students with free outreach oral screenings, oral health risk assessments and fluoride application as appropriate to prevent or control tooth decay. The teams will also provide parents with a report on their child's oral health and individualised oral care advice. Additionally, the professional dental teams will conduct oral health talks for kindergarten teaching staff to help them convey oral care messages to the children more effectively, thereby helping them nurture good daily habits from an early age.

The OOHP is a school-based initiative. Service providers will proactively contact the kindergartens to introduce the programme and arrange dates for outreach services. Parents only need to apply for the OOHP through their child's kindergarten. Parents may inquire directly at their child's kindergarten if they have any questions.

A total of 23 service providers are participating in the OOHP, covering all 18 districts in Hong Kong. The service providers began contacting kindergartens in June to finalise the dates for outreach services in the new school year. As of mid-August, 680 (over 70 per cent) of 949 kindergartens in Hong Kong have participated in the OOHP. Kindergartens interested in participating in the OOHP may contact the DH (email: am3_cds@dh.gov.hk).

Since June 2023, the DH's Brighter Smiles Baby Programme (Baby Programme) has served young children aged 0 to 3. The Baby Programme provides primary oral healthcare services for the prevention of dental diseases in young children and offers education to parents. From April 2025, the Baby Programme has been expanded in phases to include young children aged 0 to 3 using the services of the DH's Maternal and Child Health Centres. The introduction of the OOHP helps bridge the Baby Programme and the School Dental Care Service that covers all local primary school students. Together, these three initiatives provide continuous and seamless oral healthcare support for children all the way from pre-school through the school-age stages, creating a comprehensive safety net for their oral health.

The Government's oral health policies aim to enable all Hong Kong citizens to improve their oral hygiene habits and lifestyles. By adopting the strategies of developing community-wide preventive primary oral healthcare while providing essential dental care services targeting underprivileged groups, the Government strives to help citizens achieve prevention, early identification and timely intervention in tackling dental diseases.

The Department of Health (DH) announced today (August 24) that a new "Outreach Oral Health Programme for Pre-school Children" will be launched on September 1. Professional dental teams from service providers designated by the Government will visit kindergartens to provide students with free oral screening and preventive dental care on campus. Photo shows the Consultant in-charge of the Dental Services of the DH, Dr Kitty Hse (centre); Senior Dental Officer (Oral Health Promotion) Dr Alex Chau (left); and Senior Dental Officer (Community Dental Service) Dr Rico Chu (right) at the press conference. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

DH announces latest situation regarding Legionnaires' disease cases

The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health (DH) today (August 24) reported the latest number of Legionnaires' disease (LD) cases, and reminded the public of the importance of using and maintaining properly designed man-made water systems, adding that susceptible groups should strictly observe relevant precautions.

From August 16 to 22, the CHP recorded 12 community-acquired LD cases, involving eight males and four females aged between 37 and 93. Details are as follows:

• a 91-year-old female with underlying illnesses living in Eastern District;
• a 37-year-old female with good past health living in Tai Po District;
• a 49-year-old male with underlying illnesses living in Tai Po District;
• a 69-year-old female with underlying illnesses living in Tai Po District;
• a 66-year-old male with underlying illnesses living in Sha Tin District;
• a 93-year-old male with underlying illnesses living in Sha Tin District;
• an 86-year-old male with underlying illnesses living in Central and Western District;
• a62-year-old male with underlying illnesses living in Tuen Mun District;
• a 69-year-old male with underlying illnesses living in Yuen Long District;
• a 68-year-old male with underlying illnesses living in Yuen Long District;
• a 64-year-old male with underlying illnesses living in Kowloon City District; and
• a 69-year-old female with underlying illnesses living in Southern District.

The CHP is conducting epidemiological investigations to identify the potential sources of infection and high-risk exposure. An initial investigation revealed that the 12 community-acquired cases are sporadic cases. No epidemiological linkages have been established between these cases and other confirmed cases previously recorded in Hong Kong. In general, the incidence of LD is related to ambient temperature. More cases are recorded in the summer months when the ambient temperature is higher, which provides a favorable temperature range for the proliferation of Legionella bacteria.

As of August 22, 131 LD cases had been recorded this year. In 2025 and 2024, there were 167 and 135 LD cases respectively.

Men, people aged over 50, smokers, alcoholics and persons with weakened immunity are more susceptible to LD. Some situations may also increase the risk of infection, including poor maintenance of water systems; living in areas with old water systems, cooling towers or fountains; using electric water heaters, whirlpool spas or hot water spring spas; and recent stays in hotels or ships.

Legionellae are found in various environmental settings and grow well in warm water (20 to 45 degrees Celsius). They can be found in aqueous environments such as water tanks, hot and cold water systems, cooling towers, whirlpool spas, water fountains, humidifiers and home respiratory devices that support breathing. People may become infected when they breathe in contaminated droplets (aerosols) and mist generated by artificial water systems, or when handling garden soil, compost and potting mixes.

Immunocompromised persons should:

• Use sterile or boiled water for drinking, tooth brushing and mouth rinsing;
• Avoid using humidifiers, or other mist- or aerosol-generating devices; and
• If using humidifiers, or other mist- or aerosol-generating devices, fill the water tank with only sterile or cooled freshly boiled water, and not water directly from the tap. Also, clean and maintain humidifiers/devices regularly according to manufacturers' instructions. Never leave stagnant water in a humidifier/device. Empty the water tank, wipe all surfaces dry, and change the water daily.

The public should observe the health advice below:

• Observe personal hygiene;
• Do not smoke and avoid alcohol consumption;
• Strainers in water taps and shower heads should be inspected, cleaned, descaled and disinfected regularly or at a frequency recommended by the manufacturer;
• If a fresh-water plumbing system is properly maintained, it is not necessary to install domestic water filters. Use of water filters is not encouraged as clogging occurs easily, which can promote growth of micro-organisms. In case water filters are used, the pore size should be 0.2 micrometres (µm) or less and the filter needs to be changed periodically according to the manufacturer's recommendations;
• Drain and clean water tanks of buildings at least quarterly;
• Drain or purge for at least one minute infrequently used water outlets (e.g. water taps, shower heads and hot water outlets) and stagnant points of the pipework weekly or before use;
• Seek and follow doctors' professional advice regarding the use and maintenance of home respiratory devices and use only sterile water (not distilled or tap water) to clean and fill the reservoir. Clean and maintain the device regularly according to the manufacturer's instructions. After cleaning/disinfection, rinse the device with sterile water, cooled freshly boiled water or water filtered with 0.2 µm filters. Never leave stagnant water in the device. Empty the water tank, keep all surfaces dry, and change the water daily; and
• When handling garden soil, compost and potting mixes:

1. Wear gloves and a face mask;
2. Water gardens and compost gently using low pressure;
3. Open composted potting mixes slowly and make sure the opening is directed away from the face;
4. Wet the soil to reduce dust when potting plants; and
5. Avoid working in poorly ventilated places such as enclosed greenhouses.

The public may visit the CHP'sLD page, theCode of Practice for Prevention of LDand theHousekeeping Guidelines for Cold and Hot Water Systems for Building Managementof the Prevention of LD Committee, and the CHP'srisk-based strategyfor prevention and control of LD.

Additionally, as smokers and alcoholics are more susceptible to LD, the Government urges members of the public to quit smoking and avoid drinking. Members of the public may call the DH Integrated Smoking Cessation Hotline at 1833 183, which is answered by registered nurses who provide professional counselling and referrals to a wide range of free smoking cessation services. The public may also visit the smoking cessation thematic website (www.livetobaccofree.hk) for more information on smoking cessation. The DH has also developed and promulgated the Alcohol Screening and Brief Intervention tool to primary healthcare service providers to facilitate the early identification and management of at-risk drinkers. For information on alcohol-related harm, please visit the DH'sChange for Health website.

Source: AI-found images