• KNOWLEDGE EXCHANGE
• May 2024
• Bulletin

Community-based Solutions

Partnering with NGOs to improve elderly oral health

An elderly patient undergoes a dental check-up.

In Hong Kong, nine out of ten elderly suffer from tooth decay, and almost all of them experience gum disease. Barriers such as financial difficulties, mobility challenges and lack of information, have prevented many seniors from receiving necessary dental care, further worsening their oral health.

The oral health challenges faced by the elderly in Hong Kong have prompted the Faculty to launch a Knowledge Exchange project, “Empowering a non-governmental organisation (NGO) to develop a sustainable model of community-based outreach to improve the older adults’ oral health in Hong Kong”. The project aims to develop and validate an outreach service model that meets dental care needs, promotes oral health of the elderly, and addresses the dentist shortage in Hong Kong.

Led by Professor Ollie Yu, Clinical Assistant Professor in Cariology, the project trains dental health professionals to provide community-based dental outreach services. Additionally, staff from NGOs and elderly centres are equipped with oral health knowledge and skills to support basic dental care. Elderly can also benefit from dental check-ups and information about oral health resources available in Hong Kong.

Professor Ollie Yu (back) provides training to a dental health professional in a community-based service model.

In the academic year 2023-24, the project team collaborated with three NGOs and conducted ten outreach activities. These activities provided over 400 older adults with free dental check-ups, personalised oral health advice, and oral health education. The oral health status of the participants was unsatisfactory, with dental caries and periodontal diseases prevailing, highlighting the need for more attention to this population.

The project exemplifies the Faculty’s commitment to translating knowledge into concrete actions that bring tangible benefits to the community in need.

Project team member delivers an oral health education talk to a group of elderly people.