In order to raise public awareness and knowledge of oral health and dental check-ups, HKU Faculty of Dentistry co-organised a community event “Smiley Action Day” with Project Concern Hong Kong, a non-profit charitable organisation during 2017-2018. The events were held on 14 October 2017, 11 November 2017, 27 January 2018 and 14 April 2018 at four districts, which were Tseung Kwan O, Siu Sai Wan, Sha Tin and Kowloon City, respectively.
The event provided children and adults with free oral examination, preventive dental treatments in tent booths. It also offered the public oral health education including dental care and prevention of dental problems. Dental professionals answered questions regarding different dental problems and demonstrated correct oral care methods. Adult participants in need of immediate dental medication received free basic treatments onsite on equipped mobile clinic van provided by Project Concern Hong Kong. Nearly 1100 people were benefited from the free dental examinations and consultations.
“Smiley Action Day” is one of the knowledge exchange programs launched by the HKU Faculty of Dentistry. This event was initiated by Dr Chu Chun-hung, Associate Dean of HKU Dentistry (External Relations), Dr Mike Leung Yiu-yan, Clinical Associate Professor in Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery and Dr Dominic Ho King-lun, Clinical Assistant Professor in Periodontology. They supervised Faculty students and staff during oral screening and treatments and gave practical advice to participants of the event.
The event was one of the HKU Impact Projects funded by the HKU Knowledge Exchange Fund 2017-2018. Co-organized with a non-profit charitable organization Project Concern Hong Kong, the purpose of this Impact Project is to use knowledge and skills gained at HKU Faculty of Dentistry to help improve the public’s oral health and their knowledge of it.
The faculty hopes to sustain this community event for the society and continue providing dental services to more residents at various districts in the coming year. More details can be obtained from the Faculty Knowledge Exchange Unit or via email to:
dentke@hku.hk.
