Government to establish Oral Health Group under Primary Healthcare Committee
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Oral health is an integral part of general health, and preventive oral care is a crucial component of primary healthcare. The Government released the final report of the Working Group on Oral Health and Dental Care and an action plan in December 2024, which includes adopting the strategy of widely promoting prevention-oriented primary oral healthcare among citizens across all age groups, and proposes the establishment of a steering and advisory framework, by setting up the Oral Health Group under the PHC Committee to continuously press ahead with various initiatives. Furthermore, the Chief Executive proposed to bolster public and subsidised dental services in his 2025 Policy Address to enhance oral health education, oral hygiene instructions, risk assessments, and more, in the community.
Co-chaired by the Commissioner for Primary Healthcare, Dr Pang Fei-chau, and non-official member of the PHC Committee Dr Sigmund Leung, the Oral Health Group comprises four official members and 13 non-official members, with a term of office from November 1, 2025, to December 31, 2027. The non-official members include representatives from the dental profession, the healthcare sector, collaborating non-governmental organisations of government-subsidised dental care programmes, as well as prominent community figures. They possess rich experience and profound knowledge in relevant fields and can provide invaluable advice and recommendations to the Government on strategies for promoting oral health and the development of dental care services. The Oral Health Group will hold its first meeting in the fourth quarter of this year.
Specifically, the terms of reference of the Oral Health Group are as follows:
(1) To monitor the progress of integrating oral health into primary healthcare;
(2) To monitor the effectiveness of various preventive measures in oral healthcare in attaining the Oral Health Goals for 2030; and
(3) To advise the Government on the further development of prevention-oriented oral healthcare, including the dental manpower supply and the development of eHealth for oral healthcare.
The membership list of the Oral Health Group is as follows:
Co-chairmen
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Commissioner for Primary Healthcare
Dr Sigmund Leung Sai-man
Official Members
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Deputy Secretary for Health (or representative)
Director of Health (or representative)
Representative of the PHC Commission
Representative nominated by the Hospital Authority
Non-official Members
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Representative nominated by the Faculty of Dentistry, the University of Hong Kong
President (or representative nominated by the President) of the College of Dental Surgeons of Hong Kong
Chairman (or representative nominated by the Chairman) of the Dental Council of Hong Kong
President (or representative nominated by the President) of the Hong Kong Dental Association
President (or representative nominated by the President) of the Hong Kong Dental Hygienists' Association
Representative nominated by Pok Oi Hospital
Representative nominated by St. James' Settlement
Representative nominated by the Lok Sin Tong Benevolent Society, Kowloon
Dr Eva Au Tai-kwan
Mr Tim Pang Hung-cheong
Dr Frankie So Hon-ching
Dr Denise Tam Yick-sin
Professor Samuel Wong Yeung-shan
The PHC Committee was established in 2024 to assist the PHC Commission in effectively performing its functions and exercising its powers. The PHC Committee comprises individuals from different professional backgrounds, including professionals from family medicine, Chinese medicine, dentistry and other professional sectors, bringing together various parties to advise the PHC Commission from multiple perspectives.
Ends/Friday, October 31, 2025
Issued at HKT 11:15
Issued at HKT 11:15
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