Media

The Faculty of Dentistry of the University of Hong Kong launched “Gateway to Dental Health” project in 2017 and has been working hand in hand with NGOs to provide free dental outreach service to Non-Ethnic Chinese (NEC).

This year, despite the postponement of our outreach dental services due to the pandemic, we will continue to provide oral care support to the NEC community. Together with the India Association Hong Kong, Pakistan Association of Hong Kong and Health in Action, a webinar will be held to share oral health tips, information on dental services and to respond to self-care questions.

The webinar will be conducted in Urdu, Hindu and English. Details as below:

Live Webinar: Dental Health - A Gateway to Better General Health
Date: 23 June (Tuesday)
Time: 7:00 pm to 8:00 pm (HKT)
Speakers:

• Dr Prasanna Neelakantan, Clinical Assistant Professor in Endodontics, Faculty of Dentistry, HKU
• Dr Abrar Khawaja, MDS (Periodontology), Faculty of Dentistry, HKU
• Ms Gunjan Gupta, BDS Year 4, Faculty of Dentistry, HKU 
• Ms Amrita Sanju Daryanani, Project Assistant, Faculty of Dentistry, HKU
• Ms Miriam Leung, Registered Pharmacist, Health In Action
• Ms Sushila Gurung, Health Ambassador, Health In Action
• Mrs Anita Gidumal, Vice President, Indian Association Hong Kong 
• Mr Mehran Khan, Assistant Club Manager, The Pakistan Association of Hong Kong
   

Language: Urdu, Hindi and English
Link: https://hku.zoom.us/j/96509561379?pwd=N2JWeWMyckVCSStsNWdSd0kyRWI1dz09
(Meeting ID: 965 0956 1379 Password: 880347)
Enquiry: denter@hku.hk

Recorded version will be available on the Facebook of the Faculty of Dentistry on 29 June 2020 (www.facebook.com/facdent/)

The “Gateway to Dental Health” project was initiated by Dr Prasanna Neelakantan, Clinical Assistant Professor in Endodontics of the Faculty of Dentistry, HKU with the objective to improve oral health condition of local NEC. “Due to differences in language, culture and religious beliefs, NEC are always on the horns of a dilemma when it comes to dental services – either go to an expensive private practice or fly back to their home countries for treatment. At same time, they do not have a clear understanding of the dental services available to them in Hong Kong,” he said. Thus, the Faculty engages the NEC community by providing dental services and oral health education.

In 2018 and 2019, seven dental health fairs were organised under the project. NEC groups and NGOs helped to disseminate information, confirm venues, and provide manpower support. During the fairs, the teachers and students from the Faculty of Dentistry provided basic dental care services including initial dental screening, fluoride application and oral health education. Participants also received brochures in Urdu, Hindi and English highlighting oral care facilities in Hong Kong. Over 1200 NEC were benefited.

Information on Gateway to Dental Health - Dental Health Fair
Facebook: www.facebook.com/hkdentalhealthfair/
Videos: 2018: https://youtu.be/aBWxfzv-A0I ; 2019: https://youtu.be/Ad7LcTkHHl4

Media Enquiry:
Faculty of Dentistry, University of Hong Kong
Senior Communications Officer, Ms Melody Tang
Tel: 2859 0494 / 9155 0980; Email: melodytang@hku.hk