Refugee Dental Service with Branches of Hope and Medical Outreachers Hong Kong

On 11 October 2025, the HKU Faculty of Dentistry partnered with The Society of Preventive Dentistry of Hong Kong, Branches of Hope, and Medical Outreachers Hong Kong to host a community outreach programme at The Vine Church. This targeted initiative provided essential dental care and support for refugees, asylum seekers, and human trafficking survivors in Hong Kong, including their children, a group with significant barriers to accessing regular healthcare.

During the event, a team of 25 BDS students from Year 2 to 6, under the primary supervision of Professor Phoebe Lam and with the valuable support of volunteer training support dental officer Dr Charlotte Chan, conducted free oral health screenings for all 40 participants. Based on the detailed charting from these examinations, our students delivered personalised oral hygiene instructions, tailoring their advice to the specific needs of each individual. Fluoride application services were provided to nearly all attendees as a key preventive measure, while scaling was performed on-site for those with an immediate clinical need.

Alongside the dental services, our partners from Medical Outreachers operated parallel health screening stations, offered private consultation sessions, and delivered an informative health talk, creating a comprehensive wellness event for the participants. HKU Dentistry extends its profound appreciation to all Faculty staff, dedicated dentists, compassionate students, and invaluable volunteers from our partner organisations. Their collective commitment and generosity were instrumental in delivering much-needed care and making this outreach a resounding success for the community.