The Community Dental Support Programme is a new service model jointly implemented by the government and non-governmental organizations. Its aim is to supplement the services of the Department of Health’s general dental clinics by increasing service capacity, expanding service locations, and broadening the service scope. The programme provides emergency dental services for designated underprivileged groups who are financially disadvantaged and require general dental clinic services.

Applicants for the CDSP must meet all the following conditions:

• Hold a valid Hong Kong Identity Card or Certificate of Exemption; and
• Be a current beneficiary or recipient of any of the following:
• Old Age Living Allowance (Social Welfare Department);
• Community Care Service Voucher Scheme for the Elderly (Level 2 co-payment level);
• Integrated Home Care Services (frail cases) / Enhanced Home & Community Care Services / Home Support Services (Level 1 or Level 2 fee/co-payment level) under the Social Welfare Department;
• Medical Fee Waiver from the Hospital Authority; and
• Be registered with the Electronic Health Record Sharing System (eHealth)

Eligible individuals may directly contact participating dental clinics or obtain a referral through a registered social worker to access the programme’s subsidised services. Participants are required to pay an administration fee for services received.

Upon assessment by a registered dentist at a participating NGO clinic, and if deemed appropriate, participants may receive the following services within a 180-day period:

• Oral examination
• Medication for dental pain relief (if necessary)
• X-ray examination
• Dental fillings or extractions, with each tooth counted as one “filling or extraction quota” (each participant may receive up to three quotas per 180 days)

Participants must pay an administration fee of HK$50 for each “filling or extraction quota” directly to the dental clinic. The maximum fee per 180-day period is HK$150 (for up to three teeth). The administration fee will be fully subsidised by the government if the participant meets any of the following criteria:

• Aged 75 or above and a recipient of the Old Age Living Allowance (Social Welfare Department);
• A user of Integrated Home Care Services (frail cases) / Enhanced Home & Community Care Services / Home Support Services (Level 1 fee/co-payment level);
• Fully eligible for the Hospital Authority’s Medical Fee Waiver

Dentists may, at their professional discretion, provide dental services beyond the subsidised scope. Such services are considered private arrangements between the participant and the NGO dental clinic, and participants are responsible for the full cost of these services.

Enrolment Form: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScFP6MYQCmGh-DrnKF_QK-AUmPYZH7rb76DUIAj6ynec3ttVA/viewform?usp=header

Source: Community Dental Support Programme Office (Tel: 2111 3465)