The Department of Health (DH) announced on Thursday that it had rolled out four key improvements to its online dental appointment system, making it faster and more user-friendly for residents seeking urgent dental care.

The upgrades to the Online Registration System for Dental General Public Sessions (ORDGP) come after a 30 percent increase in service quotas last month.

Simpler sign-ups with "iAM Smart" and "eHealth"

Residents can now register using the "iAM Smart" or "eHealth" apps, which auto-fill personal details—cutting registration time and reducing errors. Real-time identity verification ensures a smoother process.

New "cancel appointment" option frees up slots

A new feature allows patients to cancel appointments if plans change. Vacant slots are then automatically offered to waitlisted applicants, who receive SMS notifications by 9pm the same day.

The DH reminds the public to check for genuine SMS marked with "#DH-DENT GP" (no links included).

Faster results check without extra details

Applicants no longer need to enter their Hong Kong ID card issuance date to check ballot results—just their ID number and birthdate.

Those using "iAM Smart" or "eHealth" can access records without re-entering details.

Family members can track appointments via "eHealth"

Successful applicants who registered through the apps can now share appointment details with family or carers linked to their "eHealth" account.

Since its December 2024 launch, ORDGP has eliminated early-morning queues at clinics, with a 99 percent utilization rate for dental sessions.

The DH urges those who can’t attend to cancel promptly, freeing slots for urgent cases.

Services include pain relief, extractions, and emergency oral care (like abscess treatment). The DH will continue refining the system to improve accessibility.

"These upgrades ensure fairer, faster access to dental care while reducing no-shows," a DH spokesperson said. "We’re committed to making public health services as efficient as possible."

DH streamlines dental appointment system with digital upgrades