XN000022-1996-05-01 — Page 67

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Dental services for the elderly

Following is a question by the Hon Li Wah-ming and a written reply by the Secretary for Health and Welfare, Mrs Katherine Fok, in the Legislative Council today (Wednesday):

Question:

With regard to a recent study by the Faculty of Dentistry of the Hong Kong University which revealed that up to 70% of the elderly are not provided with dental treatment, will the Government inform this Council:

Reply:

(a)

(b)

(a)

(b)

why no public dental services are specifically provided for the elderly; and

whether it will review the demand of the elderly for dental services and consider providing dental services in health centres for the elderly; if not, why not?

The Government's policy on dental service to the public is to provide preventive services such as the School Dental Care Service and promotive services such as oral health education. Curative services are limited to persons in need of emergency treatment, to specified special needs groups and to in-patients in public hospitals whose dental treatment forms an essential part of their medical treatment. For the financially disadvantaged elderly who are eligible for public assistance, they can seek treatment at the non-profit making dental clinics designated by the Social Welfare Department (SWD) and fees can be reimbursed through the Comprehensive Social Security Assistance (CSSA) scheme. The elderly can also visit private dental clinics but only the amount of fee equivalent to that charged by the SWD designated clinics for the same treatment will be reimbursed.

At present, Government does not plan to review its policy on the provision of dental services. Accordingly, there are no plans for the provision of dental services in health centres for the elderly.

End