Mandatory internship for dentists registration as LegCo passes amendment bill

Local dentistry graduates will need to undergo a one-year internship before obtaining full registration, while new pathways will be provided for the admission of non-locally trained dentists to practice in Hong Kong under the new arrangement.

The measures came after lawmakers on Wednesday passed the third reading of the proposed amendments to the Dental Registration Ordinance.

It is now a must for local dental graduates to complete the internship program before registering as dentists. This program is designed to enhance their clinical experience in real-life work settings, providing them with valuable hands-on experience and preparing them for their future careers.

The dental interns will rotate at different positions under the guidance of experienced dentists. The scope of work includes general dentistry, community special dental service, school dental care service, and hospital dental service. 

Separately, the government will introduce new pathways for admitting qualified non-locally trained dentists. That included the limited registration to be open to all dentists and the special registration to be provided for specialist dentists.

Non-locally trained dentists selected for full-time employment in a specified institution - including the Department of Health, the Hospital Authority, the University of Hong Kong, and the Prince Philip Dental Hospital - can apply for limited or special registration with the Dental Council of Hong Kong (DCHK). Upon approval, they can directly practice in the specified institution.

If they have served in the specified institution for at least five years in aggregate and proved to have served satisfactorily, they could be exempted from taking part in the licensing exam subject to the DCHK's consideration.

After serving for a certain period and passing the assessment, non-locally trained dentists will be granted full registration to practice in Hong Kong.

The government will implement the measures in phases, while the internship requirement could be applied to the class of year 2025 at the earliest.