• Knowledge Exchange
• Expressions Summer 2025

Celebrating Collaborative Community Care

Faculty and partners mark a decade of local impact through Love Teeth Days

11 distinguished guests officiate the 10th anniversary ceremony of the “Love Teeth Day” programme.

This year marks a special milestone for the HKU Faculty of Dentistry and two long-standing non-governmental organisation (NGO) partners—Project Concern Hong Kong and the Society of Preventive Dentistry of Hong Kong—as they celebrate a decade of community impact through their “Love Teeth Day” programme.

Launched in 2015, the joint programme has regularly delivered 1-day outreach campaigns throughout the year at various community venues, including retail plazas and civic halls. At each Love Teeth Day event, volunteers provide free dental check-ups, preventive treatments, and oral health education to the public, promoting oral and general health in Hong Kong. Over the years, this community health initiative has reached over 20,000 citizens across the city, with the generous support from The Hong Kong Jockey Club Charities Trust and the Li Ka Shing Foundation.

On 24 May 2025, the Dragon Centre shopping centre in Sham Shui Po hosted the Love Teeth Day 10th Anniversary Celebration Ceremony, alongside regular public outreach activities. The ceremony brought together dedicated volunteers, representatives from the dental profession, and members of community organisations and the general public to commemorate 10 years of dental knowledge exchange, service, and impact. It also served as a powerful reminder of how collaboration between academia, NGOs, and philanthropies can drive progress in public health, by amplifying outreach, empowering people to take charge of their oral hygiene, and promoting equity in preventive healthcare.

The programme provides oral health education to children.

The ceremony was graced by 11 esteemed guests, whose presence underscored the enduring partnerships and shared commitment that have driven a decade of success. Among them were Professor Lijian Jin, then-Acting Dean of the HKU Faculty of Dentistry; Professor Chun-hung Chu, the Faculty’s Associate Dean for Knowledge Exchange and Development; Dr Conson Yeung, Love Teeth Day Project Leader at the Faculty; Dr Abraham Wong, Chairman of Project Concern Hong Kong; Professor Teresa Kwan, Honorary Advisor, and Ms Ying-yee Chan, Executive Director of Project Concern Hong Kong; Dr Flora Chan, President of the Society of Preventive Dentistry of Hong Kong; Dr Tzit-yuen Lam, Legislative Council Member (Medical and Health Services); Dr Spencer Chan, President of the Hong Kong Dental Association; Dr Jennifer Yim, Project Manager of the Li Ka Shing Foundation; and Miss China Wong, Marketing Manager of the Dragon Centre.

In his welcoming address, Professor Jin thanked all collaborators and remarked on the effectiveness of academic and non-academic cooperation, saying: “Together, we transform knowledge into action and smiles in our community.” He also acknowledged the mutual benefit of the regular Love Teeth Day events, noting a total of more than 200 Faculty undergraduate and postgraduate students had taken part in the past decade, turning their expertise into meaningful service while gaining valuable experiential learning in return.

A hallmark of all the Love Teeth Days has been Project Concern Hong Kong’s donation of mobile dental clinics in the form of specially equipped minivans, where the public can directly access preventive dental care, including fluoride treatment. Reflecting on the charity’s participation, Dr Abraham Wong said: “For 10 years, Love Teeth Day has brought healthy smiles and essential care to our community. We look forward to another decade of compassion, prevention, and brighter futures for all.”

The day features interactive oral health education consultations for citizens.

Following the ceremony, project volunteers including Faculty dentists and students conducted free dental examinations for 56 members of the public and also provided fluoride treatment to 15 of them. Interactive oral health consultations and educational game booths added to the day’s vibrant engagement.

Rooted in people-first values and a sustained commitment to knowledge exchange and public outreach, Love Teeth Day stands as a shining model of community collaboration in preventive oral healthcare. Together, the Faculty and project partners look forward to another decade of advancing well-being and nurturing brighter, healthier smiles across Hong Kong.