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Following is the speech by the Chief Executive, Mr Donald Tsang, at the opening ceremony of the 31st Asia Pacific Dental Congress at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre today (May 8):
Dr Conrod, Dr Wongsa, Dr Leung, Dr Tsang, distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen,
It is a great pleasure to welcome you to this year's Asia Pacific Dental Congress. I am delighted that so many esteemed guests and speakers from around the world are taking part in this congress. A warm welcome to Hong Kong to you all.
The last time we hosted this event was back in 2004. On that occasion - in addition to the conferences and seminars - more than 2,500 people visited the exhibition. We have high expectations again this year with over 100 exhibits and 150 booths.
Also back in 2004, Hong Kong was recovering from the devastating SARS outbreak that had struck the city the previous year. Now, we have another potential pandemic on our hands - what is commonly known as human swine flu.
Medical practitioners around the world are on the frontline in the battle against human swine flu. I urge dentists to be extremely vigilant in two specific areas. First, in identifying suspected swine flu victims and taking the necessary action to ensure the virus does not spread and that patients receive appropriate medical care.
Secondly, take every precaution in protecting your own health and that of your colleagues. Close physical contact between dentists and patients can increase the risk of infection. So please be extra careful, stay abreast of the latest developments and encourage your patients and colleagues to do the same.
I also encourage you to take full advantage of this congress. It provides a vibrant platform for dental professionals throughout the region to share ideas, explore the potential of new advances in technology, and foster closer ties.
In Hong Kong, we have made great strides in improving oral health over the years. We were one of the first Asian cities to start a water fluoridation programme back in 1961. And we place strong emphasis on educating people about dental care. Indeed, it has been said, and I quote: "If a patient cannot clean his own teeth, no dentist can clean them for him". End quote.
Our School Dental Care Programme was launched in 1980. Currently around 370,000 primary school children benefit from the programme. An oral health survey conducted in Hong Kong in 2001 found that tooth decay levels of both our 12-year-olds and adults ranked among the lowest in the world.
The government will continue working closely with the Hong Kong Dental Association in promoting oral health. We are also grateful to the dedicated team at the University of Hong Kong's Faculty of Dentistry for their excellent work. The faculty has a reputation for high-quality research and for producing some of the finest, capable graduates anywhere.
Ladies and gentlemen, the theme of this year's congress - "Emerging Trends and Practices of Dentistry - Managing the New Wave" - is timely and appropriate. As with many places around the world, our healthcare system is facing the challenges of an ageing population and escalating medical costs. To meet the challenges, we need structural changes to our healthcare system to make it more sustainable, more affordable. We recently conducted a consultation on the reform of our healthcare system. One key direction - and something that is especially relevant to the dental profession and dental services - is to strengthen primary healthcare.
As a pilot initiative, we have launched a three-year scheme to provide annual healthcare vouchers worth HK$250 to our elderly residents. The vouchers can be used to meet part of their expenses for private primary care services, including dental services. So far, about 600 dentists have joined the scheme.
Another important development was the establishment of a statutory Specialist Register in 2006 for dentists qualified in various specialist fields. The register helps patients make informed choices when seeking out dental services.
Ladies, and gentlemen, these are challenging times for our economies and our communities, and indeed challenging times for the whole world. No doubt you will have your hands full during this congress. Nevertheless, I hope you will have some time away from your busy schedule to explore our city. You will find Hong Kong to be a welcoming cosmopolitan city with fascinating cultural diversity and plenty to keep you entertained.
I wish you a successful and enjoyable congress. Thank you.
Ends/Friday, May 8, 2009
Issued at HKT 19:03
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