Establishment of Working Group on Oral Health and Dental Care
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The Chief Executive announced in his 2022 Policy Address that a comprehensive review of the dental care services provided or subsidised by the Government will be conducted, covering the relevant policy objectives, service scope and service delivery model. The new Working Group will review the existing dental care services and advise the Government on the long-term strategy for oral health and dental care, as well as matters including enhancement of the scope and mode of the services.
Chaired by the Permanent Secretary for Health, the Working Group comprises non-official members and five ex-officio members for a two-year tenure lasting from December 31, 2022, to December 31, 2024. The Working Group will hold its first meeting in the first quarter of 2023. Non-official members comprise representatives from the dental profession, healthcare sector, collaborating non-governmental organisations of government-subsidised dental care programmes, as well as well-regarded and relevant community personalities. They have rich experience and extensive knowledge in relevant areas and will provide invaluable insights and advice to the Government on the future development of dental care services in Hong Kong.
Specifically, the Working Group will advise the Government on the following aspects:
(1) the scope, efficacy and cost-effectiveness of the existing oral health measures and dental care services undertaken by the Government, having regard to local circumstances and experience as well as overseas practices and evidence;
(2) the long-term strategy for oral health and dental care in Hong Kong, in particular as part of primary healthcare, including co-ordination of service programmes and manpower provision with a view to enhancing the oral health of the community; and
(3) priority areas for enhancements to oral health measures and dental care services, including the level of essential primary dental care services required by the citizens at different life stages, the scope of publicly provided or funded dental care services, and the mode(s) of delivery and financing.
The membership of the Working Group is as follows:
Chairman
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Permanent Secretary for Health
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
Chairman (or representative nominated by the Chairman) of the Board of Governors, The Prince Philip Dental Hospital
Representative nominated by Loving Smiles Foundation Limited
Representative nominated by Pok Oi Hospital
Ms Maggie Chan Mei-kit
Mr Chua Hoi-wai
Dr Kevin Lau Chung-hang
Dr Sigmund Leung Sai-man
Mr Tim Pang Hung-cheong
Professor Samuel Wong Yeung-shan
Ex-officio members
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Deputy Secretary for Health
Commissioner for Primary Healthcare
Director of Health or representative
Representative of the Education Bureau
Representative of the Labour and Welfare Bureau
Ends/Friday, December 30, 2022
Issued at HKT 16:33
Issued at HKT 16:33
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