The Hong Kong Association of Community Organizations and the Hong Kong Alliance for the Rights of the Elderly conducted a survey in August last year and found that 46% of the elderly at the grassroots level had suffered from toothache that affected their sleep.
The Legislative Council Health Committee will discuss dental policy on the 13th. The Social Association and the Alliance for the Rights of the Elderly will hold a grievance meeting and meet with members of the Legislative Council Health Committee. It is mentioned that many grassroots elders choose to endure toothache because they cannot afford the cost of dental consultation.
Although the Hong Kong Government proposed to improve the dental services for the elderly by the Community Care Fund, the survey also found that more than 70% (73%) of the elderly who received dentures through the scheme were unsuitable and ultimately useless.
The Social Association and the Alliance for the Rights of the Elderly suggested that the authorities should add dental health vouchers and add oral check-ups in health centres to carry out dental care for the elderly. They also suggested relaxing the dental restrictions of the Community Care Fund to support the elderly in need.
The Social Association and the Alliance for the Rights of the Elderly conducted the "Oral Health Survey of Grassroots Elders" in August last year. At that time, it was found that 13% of the grassroots elders lost all their teeth, and 46% had suffered from toothache that affected their sleep. Only 28% of the grassroots elders would seek medical treatment because of this. , more than half of the elderly will choose to endure the toothache or deal with it on their own.
The survey also found that only 4% of the elderly had regular dental check-ups, and four of them did not receive any oral health information.
The two groups pointed out that the Hong Kong government had proposed to optimize the dental services for the elderly from the Community Care Fund, but the promotion was insufficient. 24% of the elderly said they did not know how to apply, and 73% of the elderly even said that they did not use the dentures applied for through the Community Care Fund. Not suitable.
The Social Association pointed out that the scheme is too restrictive, which makes the elderly "useless". As for the dental subsidy of CSSA, the procedures are complicated, and there are also problems such as lack of awareness.
The Social Association criticized that even though the government has repeatedly promised to reverse the medical system that "focuses on treatment and neglects prevention", it has not launched any dental care services. It only provides limited treatment and remedies after the elderly's oral hygiene deteriorates. ideal.
Proposed addition of annual dental care vouchers for persons aged 60 or above
The Social Association and the Alliance for the Rights of the Elderly recommend that for people aged 60 or above, increase the amount of dental health care vouchers every year, and review the current amount of the elderly health care vouchers, subsidize the examination, cleaning, filling and simple dental treatment, and provide incentives to encourage the elderly to have regular dental check-ups and health care.
In addition, various district health centres also recommend adding oral examinations to form a district dental care network in the 18 districts to reach out to vulnerable elders and improve oral care habits as soon as possible. At the same time, after examination and assessment by the health centres, elders in need can be referred to apply for CSSA Dental allowance and Community Care Fund dental project allowance.
Promoting relaxation of CCF dental restrictions
The two groups also pointed out that the authorities should also relax the dental restrictions of the Community Care Fund, which can be applied for once every three years, extend the maintenance period of dentures, and allow the elderly to seek help from another dentist immediately if their dentures are not suitable, so as to prevent the elderly from Long-term lack of dental support.
The Society also urges the Expert Committee to redefine the dental goals for the elderly, including adopting the "80/20" target set by the World Health Organization, that every elderly person still has 20 real teeth at the age of 80, and should also improve planning to ensure the supply of dental staff, including Increase the number of dentists and make good use of dental hygienists to provide oral health services to the grassroots.
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