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Acting Chief Executive John Tsang
The degree of tooth loss in Hong Kong, I was told, is among the best in the world. This is an achievement that would not have been possible without the Hong Kong Dental Association (HKDA) and its community-wide promotion of dental hygiene. And I am glad to say that I am happily keeping all 32 of mine, I think, thanks to the good work of my dentists.
The HKDA has also championed Government-funded community dental programmes, as well as public-private collaboration schemes, among the dental profession here, especially our private practitioners. The public-private programmes provide care for those with special dental needs.
They include the Loving Smiles Service, which offers subsidised dental care for low-income people with intellectual disabilities, and the Community Care Fund Elderly Dental Assistance Programme, which provides dentures and other related dental services.
Hong Kong is a rapidly ageing society. And we are acutely aware that demand for dental-care services will only continue to grow.
That, of course, poses significant demands on our resources and on the development of dental practitioners.
It is an issue that can only be addressed by our further co-operation. The Government and the dental profession must work together, taking full advantage of modern technology and new care models to meet the anticipated increase in demand for dental services in the coming years.
Acting Chief Executive John Tsang gave these remarks at the 38th Asia Pacific Dental Congress.
