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LCQ15: Dental services
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     Following is a question by the Hon Albert Ho and a written reply by the Secretary for Food and Health, Dr Ko Wing-man, in the Legislative Council today (February 4):

Question:

     According to the Health Facts of Hong Kong compiled and edited by the Government in 2014, as at the end of 2013, the number of dentists in Hong Kong was 2 310, giving a ratio to population of 1:3125, and the number of dental hygienists was 367, giving a ratio to population of 1:19672.  However, the numbers of dental therapists and dental surgery assistants were not provided.  It is learnt that the Government has conducted a manpower projection for 13 healthcare professions subject to statutory regulation, which include dentists.  In this connection, will the Government inform this Council:

(1) whether it has measures to increase the number of dentists; if so, of the details; if not, the reasons for that;

(2) of the respective current numbers of dental therapists and dental surgery assistants in Hong Kong; and

(3) whether it has conducted any manpower projection for dental therapists, dental surgery assistants and dental hygienists; whether it has assessed if there is a shortfall of such professionals at present; if the assessment outcome is in the affirmative, whether measures are in place to increase their numbers?

Reply:

President,

(1) Any person who wishes to practise dentistry in Hong Kong must fulfil the qualifications stipulated in the Dental Registration Ordinance (Cap 156) (Ordinance) and obtain the necessary approval from the Dental Council of Hong Kong (DCHK) in order to become a registered dentist.   The DCHK is an independent statutory regulatory body established under the Ordinance for handling matters relating to the registration and regulation of the dental profession in Hong Kong.  

     As for local training, the Faculty of Dentistry of the University of Hong Kong is the only institution offering undergraduate programme in dentistry in Hong Kong, providing about 50 training places per annum.  In addition, the DCHK conducts a licensing examination annually for those overseas trained dentists to get qualified for practice in Hong Kong.  As at December 2014, there were about 2 300 registered dentists on the register of the DCHK.

     To tackle the challenges brought about by a growing and ageing population and increasing demand for healthcare services from the community, the Government has set up a steering committee to conduct a strategic review on healthcare manpower planning and professional development in Hong Kong.  The review covers 13 professions which are subject to statutory regulation, including doctors, dentists and allied health professionals.  Chaired by the Secretary for Food and Health, the steering committee will recommend ways to cope with the anticipated demand for healthcare manpower and facilitate professional development, with a view to ensuring the healthy and sustainable development of the healthcare system in Hong Kong.  

(2) and (3)  Dental hygienists refer to persons who have met the qualifications prescribed in section 3 of the Ancillary Dental Workers (Dental Hygienists) Regulations (Cap 156B) (Regulations) and are admitted by the DCHK for enrolment as dental hygienists.  According to section 6 of the Regulations, the scope of work of a dental hygienist mainly includes cleaning and scaling of teeth, exposure of oral x-ray films, and giving of advice on matters relating to dental hygiene in accordance with the directions of a registered dentist.  As at end-December 2014, there were 387 enrolled dental hygienists in Hong Kong.  

     Dental therapists refer to those ancillary dental workers who have completed the requisite period of training and passed the Dental Therapist Certificate Examination or equivalent. Their main responsibilities are to provide basic dental treatments such as scaling and filling to children under 18 years of age, and to educate the general public on common oral health knowledge. Although dental therapists in Hong Kong are not required to register with the DCHK, according to section 31(3) of the Ordinance, they can only work in the school dental clinics of the Department of Health (DH).  Therefore, the number of serving dental therapists in the DH can be taken as the number of dental therapists practising in Hong Kong.  As at January 1, 2015, there were 276 dental therapists employed by the Government.

     Dental surgery assistants refer to those ancillary dental workers who assist dentists in the treatment of patients.  They are not required to enrol or register under the Ordinance, nor are they subject to any specific entry requirements.  Some dental surgery assistants have completed certificate courses operated by various institutions (e.g. the Prince Philip Dental Hospital), while others enter the profession through on-the-job training.  According to the Health Manpower Survey conducted by the DH in 2009, there were a total of 2 847 dental surgery assistants as at March 31, 2009.

     In April 2014, the DH embarked on a new round of Health Manpower Survey which covers dental hygienists, dental therapists and dental surgery assistants.  The survey results will be uploaded to the website of the DH upon completion of data collection and statistical work.  The Administration will encourage institutions to operate relevant training courses as circumstances warrant.

Ends/Wednesday, February 4, 2015
Issued at HKT 14:47

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