Hong Kong to offer free dental check-ups to preschoolers from September

Starting from September, Hong Kong preschoolers will receive complimentary dental check-ups for the first time through a new government program. Over 70% of the city's kindergartens have already committed to the initiative, which aims to establish good oral hygiene habits and prevent tooth decay early on. The Outreach Oral Health Programme for Preschool Children will begin on September 1, with dental teams from 23 participating service providers visiting kindergartens in all 18 districts annually.

The screenings, targeting children aged 32 months or older, will assess oral health risks and provide fluoride treatments to prevent cavities. Dental professionals will also offer personalized advice and refer children as needed. Free workshops for kindergarten staff will educate them on promoting oral care to their students. Despite high rates of tooth decay among young children, only about a quarter of parents have taken their five-year-olds to the dentist, often only after the issue has already developed.