Hong Kong's Department of Health is shifting its focus to prevention and early intervention in dental care. For this year's National Love Teeth Day, officials are rolling out a citywide strategy built around catching problems early and making dental care accessible to everyone. The Department has restated its commitment to these principles, with the 2026 campaign theme highlighting oral health at every stage of life.
National Love Teeth Day is observed annually on September 20 in China, and in 2026, Hong Kong aligned its theme with a lifelong approach to oral health.
The risks are real. Dental plaque, gum disease, and tooth decay can lead to periodontitis, bone loss, and even affect chronic illnesses like diabetes and heart disease. The Department warns that losing teeth can make it harder to eat well and stay healthy, so early action matters.
Hong Kong's public health programs have made a difference. Water fluoridation, the School Dental Care Service, and the University of Hong Kong's Faculty of Dentistry have all helped improve dental health. The Oral Health Survey 2021 found fewer cases of tooth decay and more older adults keeping their teeth, showing these efforts are working.
The 2026 Policy Address announced that, starting in 2027, preventive primary dental care will be expanded for high-risk groups at designated DHC/DHC Express centers, and the Healthy Teeth Collaboration will extend outreach services to care homes for people with disabilities.
Older adults are included as well. The Outreach Dental Care Programme for the Elderly sends dental teams to care homes and day centres in all 18 districts, offering on-site check-ups, free treatment when needed, and personalized care plans. Caregivers get training to help maintain oral health between visits.
Children with special needs are supported through partnerships with the Hong Kong Children's Hospital and Social Welfare Department, providing dental care for those with intellectual disabilities. The Healthy Teeth Collaboration extends these services into adulthood. Psychiatric inpatients at Kwai Chung and Castle Peak Hospitals also receive dedicated dental care.
Policy is changing, too. The Chief Executive's 2026 Policy Address announced that the Healthy Teeth Collaboration will expand, bringing preventive dental care to more care homes for people with disabilities.
This year's National Love Teeth Day, with the theme "Healthy Mouth, Healthy Life: Protect teeth in youth to lay solid foundations; Keep healthy teeth in old age to enjoy well-being," keeps the focus on lifelong care. The Department of Health will host the "Oral Health for Life" Festival at Plaza Hollywood in Diamond Hill on October 11. The event is free and will feature health education, interactive booths, and performances to raise awareness about oral health.
For more on new directions in dental health, a recent article looks at the growing interest in the oral microbiome and its role in prevention.
Hong Kong's approach is practical: prevention is built into the system, not just a slogan. By making oral health a priority at every age and focusing on those most at risk, the city is seeing real improvements. The results are already visible, and the push behind these policies suggests that dental disease could become the exception, not the rule.
