Industry leader believes shortage in public dentists can be alleviated within three years

The shortage in public dentists is expected to be alleviated in two to three years despite the city being impacted by the immigration wave, according to Hong Kong Dental Association president Spencer Chan Chiu-yee. 

During an event on Thursday, Chan attributed the shortage to two main reasons, with the first being the natural turnover in the government and the second the immigration wave in recent years. 

“We all know that Hong Kong has been suffering from an immigration wave of the middle class,” Chan said, adding that it has also affected the dental industry. 

He also pointed out that the very first class of dental graduates from the University of Hong Kong in 1985 – many of whom joined the government after graduation – are nearing their retirement age, leading to great internal turnover within the government. 

Chan continued that the economy hasn't been performing well and the recovery pace for the city has been slow. Therefore, he expects the development and expansion of the private dental market will also be slow. 

“In the coming one to two years, returning to the public [dental] system may be the first choice for the majority of fresh graduates, manpower or dentists who obtain qualification to practice in Hong Kong through various means,” Chan said. 

“I expect the manpower shortage in the public [dental] system can be alleviated by a great extent in two to three years.” 

He also noted that now is a good time for importing non-locally trained dentists and the association welcomes all eligible professionals to join the industry. 

Separately, the association also announced that the Oral Health Week 2024 will be held from May 9 to 14, gathering over 90 percent of dentists in the city to perform a one-off oral check-up, consultation and X-ray screening for some 100,000 citizens for free. 

If there are further dental issues found the dentists will provide a simple report to patients as well, Chan said. 

Interested citizens can inquire and make a reservation with the dentists they usually visit or with clinics displaying the Oral Health Week 2024 label starting today (Thu).