Dental Internship Programme for local dental graduates officially launched (with photos)
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The Secretary for Health, Professor Lo Chung-mau; the Director of Health, Dr Ronald Lam; the Chairman of the Dental Council of Hong Kong (DCHK), Dr Lee Kin-man; and the Dean of the Faculty of Dentistry at the University of Hong Kong, Professor Jin Lijian, offered encouragement to the Dental House Officers at the launch ceremony.
Addressing the ceremony, Professor Lo said, "Today, we are gathered to witness the launch of Hong Kong's first Dental Internship Programme. This marks not only a significant milestone in Hong Kong's dental education but also a crucial step forward in our pursuit of higher-quality dental services. Dental practice is a highly specialised field of knowledge and skill, and excellent dentists must continuously refine their expertise through clinical practice. I hope that the Dental House Officers participating in this programme will cherish every opportunity to learn, honing their skills over the coming year. By engaging directly with patients, they can build mutual trust and develop empathy, embodying the professionalism of healthcare providers and safeguarding the health of Hong Kong's citizens. I am confident that the valuable hands-on experience gained during this internship will lay a solid foundation for the future careers of these aspiring dentists."
Dr Lam said, "Clinical internship is not only a vital process of acquiring techniques and knowledge, but also a crucial stage for developing your problem-solving abilities and enhancing your communication skills with patients. Embrace each challenge with a positive attitude and foster a strong teamwork spirit. Dentistry is a team-based discipline. Teamwork is key to providing high-quality healthcare services. Through mutual support and knowledge sharing, you will be equipped to more effectively address complex cases and elevate the overall standard of healthcare."
Provisions relating to provisional registrations, internship and period of assessment in the Dentists Registration Ordinance (DRO) (Cap. 156) came into effect on April 1, 2025. Under the new arrangements, local dental graduates are required to undergo an internship, while non-locally trained dentists who have passed the licensing examination of the DCHK will need to undergo a period of assessment before obtaining full registration in Hong Kong.
The introduction of the internship and period of assessment under the DRO aims to strengthen the clinical experience of local dental graduates and non-locally trained dentists in real-life settings. Through this, they will become familiar with the dental practice in Hong Kong and hone their communication skills with local patients. This ensures that, in addition to mastering professional knowledge, they also develop sound practical skills and a professional attitude, enabling them to exercise clinical judgments in different situations and meet the demands of the dental practice effectively. The current year's local dental graduates have been granted provisional registration by the DCHK and appointed as Dental House Officers by the DH under contractual terms. The DH will first provide a two-week orientation programme for them to understand the scope of public dental services, and help them adapt promptly to the working environment and acquire service requirements and clinical techniques. They will then be assigned to rotate across various service units, including the DH, the Hospital Authority, and Prince Philip Dental Hospital, and work under the guidance of experienced dentists in the following areas:
- general dental service;
- emergency dental service;
- hospital dental service (such as specialist services of oral maxillofacial surgery);
- School Dental Care Service; and
- community dental service (such as dental services designated for the underprivileged).
Upon successful completion of the internship, the Dental House Officers will be awarded a certificate of experience that enables them to obtain full registration.
Ends/Monday, September 1, 2025
Issued at HKT 12:30
Issued at HKT 12:30
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