Hong Kong Dental Care Expenses - Everything You Need To Know
Dental care is an aspect of healthcare that should not be ignored. The majority of the adult population (80-90%) in Hong Kong is susceptible to tooth decay and cavities, with these dental problems typically being left untreated. Children in Hong Kong also struggle with oral health; most children have been found to have gingivitis (inflammation of the gums) and in a Hong Kong Oral Health Survey, only 6% of 12 year olds were found to have healthy gums (The Surgeon 153-157). How do you make sure you are financially covered for access to dental check-ups and other non-emergency dental services? It is best to be prepared and to know your options before you experience any dental issues!
Public Dental Care
We know that the public health care system in Hong Kong provides great medical services (See our blog post on health care here). However, public health care provided by the Hong Kong government does not cover the costs of dental services, unless:
You are a primary school student or a civil servant
You require emergency dental services
Treatment includes extraction and medication. However, patients who need to receive follow-up treatment must seek a private dentist
The Prince Philip Dental Hospital is a “Public Dental Care” option. This teaching hospital for Dental students from HKU accepts a small number of patients for treatment. Only patients with oral conditions that suit teaching needs are accepted. Enquiries can be made on their website.
While the public healthcare system provides adequate dental services, it is important to note that it is generally catered towards individuals experiencing acute, urgent and severe pain. Individuals seeking to take preventative measures for their oral health are typically unable to be accommodated at public dental care facilities.
The Hong Kong Dental Association highly recommends to have dental cleaning/scaling done twice a year for optimal oral health. So how can adults, individuals excluded from government subsidies, make sure they receive dental checkups and services at reasonable costs? The answer is proper dental insurance coverage and being aware of the prices in the dental market. Don’t worry, we have the knowledge, done the research and are here to keep you well informed!
Private Dental Care
When public dental healthcare does not offer the services that meet your dental needs, individuals in Hong Kong turn to private dental care. The majority of the registered dentists in Hong Kong work in private practices, ensuring the availability of a dentist should you opt for private care. However, the fees charged by private dentists are not standardized, which makes finding the right dental service for your needs a struggle. Since the dental care in Hong Kong is mostly private, all its services are considered expensive and costly for Hong Kong residents. This is when your health insurance can come in and help ease these financial stresses.
Dental Insurance Coverage
Most medical insurance companies do not sell dental insurance by itself. Instead, dental insurance is generally added as an optional benefit, once the core inpatient (emergencies and accidents requiring hospitalization) plan is purchased. These dental packages vary in price, depending on the insurance company and level of coverage. Coverage for dental insurance usually covers two categories of dental care: 1) Routine or Basic Dental, which covers scaling, polishing, fillings, simple extractions, screening, etc.; and 2) Advanced or Major Dental, which covers full/partial dentures, crowns, dental implants, inlays, etc. It is common for dental plans to have a waiting period (i.e. 6 - 12 months), which represents a period of time from the commencement date of the dental plan during which you are not able to utilize the dental benefits. This is to prevent policyholders from buying dental insurance right when they know they require immediate dental attention.
Common Dental Service Pricing
Although prices are not standardized, we have compiled a list of common prices to look for. Keep in mind that the location of the clinic will oftentimes influence how much a dentist will charge.
Consultation and examination check-ups: HKD 500 to HKD 2,000
Additional treatments cost extra, like fluoride sealant or x-ray
Fillings: HKD 300 to HKD 500
Teeth whitening: starting at HKD 500
Wisdom tooth extraction: starting at HKD 2,000
Tooth extraction: starting at HKD 1,000
Orthodontics (braces or Invisalign): starting at HKD 30,000
Dental hygiene is an investment in your health and is crucial for preventing severe health issues not only for your oral health, but also to help discover early stages of diseases. During regular dental checkups diseases like diabetes, leukemia, oral cancer, pancreatic cancer, heart disease and kidney disease may be detected. If you are interested in learning more about how you can get the proper dental coverage, our team at Groveland are more than happy to accommodate your dental insurance needs!
Contact us today: info@groveland.com.hk
Source:
The Surgeon,
Pages 153-157,
(http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1479666X13000073)
