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HEALTH
Dental Services
The Dental Service aims to improve the population's oral health through preventive and promotive oral health care services. Promotional activities are organised throughout the year to increase the level of oral health care awareness. The community has also benefited from the fluoridated water supply which results in a reduced rate of dental decay.
All of Hong Kong's 212 000 pre-school children are covered by an oral health education programme delivered through maternal and child health centres, kindergartens and pre-school centres. A further 385 580 or 82.4 per cent of the primary school population received annual dental examinations and basic dental care through the School Dental Care Service.
A 24-hour interactive voice response system (hotline number 2713 7028) provides voice and fax messages about the School Dental Care Service and oral health care information. An outreaching oral health education facility catering to a wide section of the community was launched in the latter part of the year through the oral health education bus.
Specialist dental services are provided to specific groups including hospital patients and special needs groups. An emergency dental service is provided to the general public at 11 designated dental clinics throughout the territory.
Family Health
The Family Health Service offers a comprehensive health programme for women and children aged below six years through 48 maternal and child health centres and two woman health centres. Health advice, physical examination, immunisation and comprehensive observation services are provided. About 96 per cent of new-born babies attended such centres during the year. Antenatal, postnatal medical consultations and family planning services are also available for women of child- bearing age. After the first women's health centre opened at Lam Tin in 1994, a second began operating at Chai Wan in March 1996 to provide a health promotion and screening programme for women aged 45 to 64.
The government-subvented Family Planning Association of Hong Kong runs eight birth control clinics and three youth health care centres, providing services in fertility regulation, contraception, male and female sterilisation, gynaecological check-ups, pre-marital check-ups and youth counselling. It also conducts programmes in family life education and sexuality education, and carries out motivational work through outreach activities and publicity campaigns.
Student Health Service
The Student Health Service, which emphasises health promotion, disease prevention and continuity of care, was extended to secondary schools in 1996. A total of 11 student health service centres and two special assessment centres have been opened to provide free health assessment, individual health counselling and health education to all primary and secondary school students.
School health inspectors also visit schools regularly, advising them on environmental hygiene and sanitation of school premises. School health officers and nurses advise on the control of communicable diseases, and organise health education activities and immunisation campaigns.