Majority of New Dental Graduates Opt for Department of Health Positions

In a significant move to address staffing shortages, over 60% of Hong Kong’s inaugural cohort of dental graduates who completed their mandatory internships have chosen to work with the Department of Health. This surge in recruitment is seen as a critical step towards alleviating the existing manpower challenges in the dental sector.

This development comes on the heels of a contentious amendment to the Dentists Registration Ordinance, enacted in 2024. The amendment mandates that all dental graduates in Hong Kong must undertake a 12-month internship prior to receiving their full licenses, a requirement that will take effect in 2025. The primary objective of this regulation is to bolster the practical clinical experience of new dentists.

With the new policy in place, the influx of newly qualified dentists into the public health system is expected to enhance dental care accessibility and quality across the region.

Source: www.scmp.com