Choosing a Dentist for Gum Disease in Hong Kong: Specialist Checks, Referral and Questions to Ask (2026)

For gum disease, most people can start with a registered general dentist for a periodontal check and initial treatment. Grade C or Stage IV disease, deep pockets that remain after treatment, a need for gum surgery or inflammation around an implant are reasons to see a Specialist in Periodontology, whom you can check on the Dental Council register.

This site does not recommend or rank any dentist or clinic, so for searches like "recommended gum disease dentist" we show you how to judge for yourself. Gum disease is common in Hong Kong: the Department of Health's Oral Health Survey 2021 found gum pockets in 57% of adults aged 35 to 44 and 70% of non-institutionalised older people aged 65 to 74[1].

What is periodontitis? A one-minute recap

Plaque build-up inflames the gums. If inflammation spreads below the gumline, the gum separates from the root to form a "pocket" and the supporting bone is slowly lost. The American Academy of Periodontology (AAP) notes that gum disease is often silent, so symptoms may not appear until the advanced stages[2].

The 2017 AAP and European Federation of Periodontology (EFP) classification sorts periodontitis into Stages I to IV by severity and Grades A, B and C by rate of progression. Smoking and diabetes control shift the grade: ten or more cigarettes a day, or an HbA1c of 7.0% or higher, count as Grade C risk factors[3]. The attachment loss, bone loss and warning signs for each stage are set out in our guide to bleeding gums and the four stages of gum disease. Knowing roughly which stage and grade you are is what decides whether you need a specialist.

General dentist or specialist? How the work is divided

We could not find official periodontal referral criteria published in Hong Kong. The British Society of Periodontology (BSP) 2020 referral guidelines sort cases into three levels of complexity, and the Scottish Dental Clinical Effectiveness Programme (SDCEP) uses the same levels, so they are a useful reference[4][5]:

Situation	Usually handled by	What the guideline says
Gingivitis, uncomplicated periodontal disease, routine maintenance	General dentist, dental hygienist	Level 1: should be treated in general dental practice[5]
Stage II to IV with pockets of 6 mm or more left after initial therapy	A general dentist with relevant experience, or referral	Level 2: may stay in general practice or be referred[4]
Grade C or Stage IV with pockets of 6 mm or more; gum surgery needed; complex furcation defects; peri-implantitis; no response to treatment; care across several specialties	Specialist in Periodontology	Level 3: referral to a specialist[4]

Two points matter. First, the BSP states that all cases of periodontitis should have initial care, including treatment, and that referral may follow if this is unsuccessful; Grade C cases should be referred after initial advice on risk factors and oral hygiene[4], so your first step does not have to be a specialist. Second, the NHS says your dentist may refer you to a specialist for further tests and treatment[6]; a dentist who explains when they would refer you is a good sign.

How to check a Specialist in Periodontology

1. Go to the Dental Council of Hong Kong "Lists" page and open the "Specialist in Periodontology" PDF under the Specialist Register[7].
2. As at 31 August 2026 the list has 51 specialists in periodontology. Each entry shows a registration number starting with SC, the name in English and Chinese, practice addresses and qualifications with the awarding institution and year[8].
3. Search for the dentist's full name and check that the practice address matches the place you plan to visit; you can also use the addresses to find specialists near home or work.

The specialist title is regulated. The Hong Kong Academy of Medicine vets dentists' specialist registration applications: applicants must be Academy Fellows who have completed specialist training, or be certified as having equivalent training. Dentists on the Specialist Register are the ones recognised as specialists and allowed to use the title "specialist in a specialty"[9]. Under the Code of Professional Discipline, a dentist must be accredited and authorised by the Council to use a specialist title (section 1.11)[10].

A master's degree is not a specialist title. At HKU, for example, the Master of Dental Surgery (MDS) in Periodontology is a three-year full-time programme, and the faculty says six of its courses form part of the training pathways to become a dental specialist in Hong Kong[11]. A periodontal master's is real postgraduate training, but without specialist training and registration the dentist cannot claim the specialist title. Step-by-step guide: how to verify a dentist in Hong Kong.

What does periodontal treatment involve?

The EFP's 2020 clinical guideline sets out treatment for Stage I to III periodontitis in four steps[12]:

1. Step 1: change habits and control risk factors (for example stopping smoking and managing blood sugar), and remove plaque above the gumline.
2. Step 2: remove plaque and calculus below the gumline, which is what most people call root planing or deep cleaning. The Department of Health says the dentist numbs the area with local anaesthetic and that the whole course usually involves several appointments[13].
3. Step 3: after re-evaluation, treat the areas that did not respond well enough, such as deep pockets of 6 mm or more, which may need periodontal surgery[12]. The Department of Health also notes that the dentist may perform surgery that lifts the gum to expose the root surface for cleaning[13].
4. Step 4: supportive periodontal care, meaning long-term maintenance to keep the disease stable[12].

The AAP says many patients need no further treatment after scaling and root planing, but the majority require ongoing maintenance to sustain periodontal health[14]. The Department of Health adds that smoking hampers recovery from gum disease, so smokers need to quit[13]. So you are choosing not just who does the deep cleaning, but who will re-evaluate you and follow you up for years.

Long-term maintenance: how often, and what does it cost?

SDCEP guidance says suitable recall intervals for periodontal maintenance range from 3 to a maximum of 12 months, set by your clinical history, a risk assessment and your own needs. Regular recalls at the start (for example every three months) are helpful, with the interval then tailored to your clinical and behavioural circumstances[15]. Each maintenance visit should include:

• an updated medical and social history and a review of risk factors such as smoking and diabetes;
• a check of plaque, calculus and gum health, with a full-mouth periodontal assessment at least yearly;
• a review of your brushing and interdental cleaning, with advice where needed;
• cleaning above and below the gumline where required;
• an assessment of your risk of the disease progressing[15].

Maintenance is an ongoing cost: the more frequent the visits, the higher the yearly total. Benchmark fees for scaling, root planing and maintenance across public, subsidised and private settings are in our scaling and periodontal treatment cost guide. When comparing, ask whether maintenance is charged per visit or by time, whether the check-up and X-rays are included, and whether the full-mouth periodontal assessment is charged separately.

Eight questions to ask before you start

1. Which stage and grade am I? What is that based on (a full-mouth pocket chart, X-rays)?
2. Who is responsible? Will a dentist or a dental hygienist do the deep cleaning? Is the lead clinician a general dentist or a Specialist in Periodontology, and does the name match the register?
3. When will I be re-evaluated? Which numbers will show whether I have improved, such as pocket depths and bleeding sites?
4. When would you refer me to a specialist or recommend surgery?
5. How often is maintenance, what happens at each visit and how is it charged?
6. Can I have an itemised written quote? Clinics must display a notice of your right to ask for a quotation before treatment, and dentists should quote before substantial fees (Code sections 1.4.2 and 1.4.4)[10].
7. What are the other options, including doing nothing? Valid consent needs an explanation of other options, including no treatment (section 5.7)[10].
8. I smoke or have diabetes: how does that change the plan and the recall schedule? Both affect the grade[3].

For how to read a quote, see how to read a dental quote.

Red flags

• Someone calls themselves a "gum specialist" but is not on the periodontology list[8].
• You get a price for full-mouth deep cleaning before anyone has measured your pockets or taken X-rays.
• After deep cleaning there is no re-evaluation and no plan for maintenance.
• You are told "one round of treatment and you will never need to come back"; the majority of patients need ongoing maintenance[14].
• You are pushed to agree to surgery the same day, other options are not explained, or a written quote is refused[10].

Doubts about a recommendation? See when a dental second opinion is worth getting.

Choosing by need: public, subsidised, private centre or hospital?

On a tight budget: public and subsidised routes first

• Department of Health general public sessions: these are for relief of pain or tooth extraction and do not cover scaling, fillings or dentures[16], so they will not treat gum disease.
• Community Dental Support Programme: eligible people include Old Age Living Allowance recipients and public-hospital medical fee waiver holders, among others. Services include scaling once every 365 days, with a $50 co-payment for Category B[17]. Root planing is not listed as a separate item.
• Prince Philip Dental Hospital teaching patients: a whole course of dental hygiene therapy costs $100 (from 1 March 2026)[18] and the initial examination $50. Patients are screened; if the problem does not suit the designated teaching purpose, treatment is not assured, and the course needs several visits[19].
• Non-profit organisations: the FTU, Yan Chai Hospital and Yang Dental Clinic, among others, run dental clinics; ask them for fees directly. See affordable dental care in Hong Kong, and other schemes in our dental subsidies overview.

A private dental centre: published credentials, written quotes, long-term follow-up

At a private centre, use the eight questions above and focus on three things: checkable qualifications and specialist titles, an itemised written quote before treatment, and a plan for re-evaluation and long-term maintenance. One Hong Kong example is Home Dental, with clinics in Causeway Bay and Tsuen Wan.

Its team page lists each dentist's qualifications and specialist titles, including two dentists listed as Specialists in Periodontology; both appear on the Dental Council's periodontology list[8]. Further reading: Dentists' qualifications and specialist titles (Home Dental). Wherever you go, check the register and ask for a written quote.

Very complex cases, serious medical conditions or general anaesthesia

• Public hospital oral and maxillofacial surgery: the Department of Health's Hospital Dental Service was integrated into the public hospitals' oral and maxillofacial surgery service from 6 February 2026[16]. Its seven clinics mainly provide specialist treatment for hospital in-patients, patients with special oral healthcare needs and dental emergencies[20]; they are not a general outpatient gum-disease service.
• Private hospital dental departments: for example, the Hong Kong Sanatorium & Hospital Dental Centre publishes a price list that includes specialist consultation, deep scaling and root planing, maintenance review scaling and periodontal surgery[21]. Fees are generally higher than at clinics.
• Anaesthesia needs a licensed setting: under the Private Healthcare Facilities Ordinance (Cap. 633), scheduled medical procedures include dental and anaesthetic procedures, and they can be performed in hospitals or day procedure centres but are not allowed in clinics[22]. If you need sedation, ask where it happens and who monitors you.

Frequently asked questions

Which gum disease dentist is recommended in Hong Kong?

This site does not recommend or rank dentists. Checking for yourself is more reliable than an online list: Specialists in Periodontology are on the Dental Council list (51 as at 31 August 2026)[8], and the eight questions above help you compare diagnosis, quotes and maintenance plans.

Do I have to see a specialist for gum disease?

Not necessarily. UK guidance says periodontitis should first get initial treatment, with referral if that fails; Grade C, Stage IV, cases needing surgery and peri-implantitis are recommended for specialist referral[4].

How do I know if a dentist is a Specialist in Periodontology?

Open the "Specialist in Periodontology" PDF on the Dental Council's Specialist Register page and search for the dentist's full name[7]. A dentist who is not on the register cannot use the specialist title, even with a periodontal master's degree[9].

How long does gum disease treatment take, and how many visits?

The Department of Health says the whole course usually involves several appointments and regular check-ups[13]. After active treatment comes long-term maintenance, at intervals of 3 to 12 months depending on risk[15].

Does the government treat gum disease?

Department of Health general public sessions handle relief of pain and tooth extraction[16]. Eligible people can get scaling under the Community Dental Support Programme[17], or apply to be a teaching patient at the Prince Philip Dental Hospital, subject to screening[19].

Once gum disease is under control, do I still need regular maintenance?

Yes. The AAP says the majority of patients need ongoing maintenance to sustain periodontal health[14], and SDCEP suggests regular recalls at the start, for example every three months, then an interval tailored to you[15].

Related guides

• Bleeding gums and the four stages of gum disease
• Scaling and periodontal treatment cost guide
• How to choose a good dentist in Hong Kong: 12 checks
• How to verify a dentist in Hong Kong
• Gum recession: causes and remedies
• Affordable dental care in Hong Kong

Sources

1. Hong Kong Government press release, "Report of Oral Health Survey 2021" (6 Dec 2024): https://www.info.gov.hk/gia/general/202412/06/P2024120600365.htm, checked 5 Oct 2026.
2. American Academy of Periodontology (AAP), "Gum Disease Information": https://www.perio.org/for-patients/gum-disease-information/, checked 5 Oct 2026.
3. AAP/EFP 2017 classification, "Staging and Grading Periodontitis": https://www.perio.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/Staging-and-Grading-Periodontitis.pdf, checked 5 Oct 2026.
4. British Society of Periodontology (BSP), "Guidelines for Periodontal Patient Referral" (2020): https://www.bsperio.org.uk/assets/downloads/BSP_Guidelines_for_Patient_Referral_2020.pdf, checked 5 Oct 2026.
5. Scottish Dental Clinical Effectiveness Programme (SDCEP), "Referral": https://www.periodontalcare.sdcep.org.uk/guidance/referral, checked 5 Oct 2026.
6. NHS, "Gum disease": https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/gum-disease/, checked 5 Oct 2026.
7. Dental Council of Hong Kong, "Lists" (General Register and Specialist Register): https://www.dchk.org.hk/en/list/index.html, checked 5 Oct 2026.
8. Dental Council of Hong Kong, "Registered Dentists on the Specialist Register (Periodontology)", as at 31 Aug 2026, 51 dentists: https://www.dchk.org.hk/pdf/SC_Periodontology.pdf, checked 5 Oct 2026.
9. Hong Kong Academy of Medicine, "Specialist Registration": https://hkam.org.hk/en/specialist-registration, checked 5 Oct 2026.
10. Dental Council of Hong Kong, Code of Professional Discipline, sections 1.4.2, 1.4.4, 1.11 and 5.7: https://www.dchk.org.hk/pdf/code.pdf, checked 5 Oct 2026.
11. Faculty of Dentistry, University of Hong Kong, "Taught Postgraduate Programmes": https://facdent.hku.hk/learning/taught-postgraduate-programmes.html, checked 5 Oct 2026.
12. Sanz M et al., "Treatment of stage I–III periodontitis — The EFP S3 level clinical practice guideline", J Clin Periodontol 2020: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7891343/, checked 5 Oct 2026.
13. Department of Health Oral Health Education Unit, "Oral Treatments: root planing": https://www.toothclub.gov.hk/en/en_adu_01_06_13.html, checked 5 Oct 2026.
14. AAP, "Non-Surgical Treatments": https://www.perio.org/for-patients/periodontal-treatments-and-procedures/non-surgical-treatments/, checked 5 Oct 2026.
15. SDCEP, "Supportive periodontal care": https://periodontalcare.sdcep.org.uk/guidance/long-term-care/periodontitis/supportive-periodontal-care/, checked 5 Oct 2026.
16. Department of Health, "Main Service Areas: Dental Services": https://www.dh.gov.hk/english/main/main_ds/main_ds.html, checked 5 Oct 2026.
17. Department of Health, "Introduction of the Community Dental Support Programme": https://www.communitydental.gov.hk/en/cdsp/introduction_of_cdsp.html, checked 5 Oct 2026.
18. Prince Philip Dental Hospital, "Schedule of Fees for Teaching Patients" (from 1 Mar 2026): https://ppdh.org.hk/schedule-of-fees-for-teaching-patients/, checked 5 Oct 2026.
19. Prince Philip Dental Hospital, "Recruitment of Teaching Patients for Dental Hygiene Therapy" (2 Feb 2026): https://ppdh.org.hk/wp-content/uploads/Notice-Recruitment-of-Teaching-Patients-for-Dental-Hygiene-Therapy-2.2.2026-Eng.pdf, checked 5 Oct 2026.
20. Hong Kong Government press release, "Integration of Hospital Dental Service of Department of Health into Hospital Authority" (15 Dec 2025): https://www.info.gov.hk/gia/general/202512/15/P2025121500282.htm, checked 5 Oct 2026.
21. Hong Kong Sanatorium & Hospital Dental Centre, "Price List" (effective 1 Aug 2026): https://www.hksh.com/f/upload/3388/HKSH%20Dental%20Centre.pdf, checked 5 Oct 2026.
22. Office for Regulation of Private Healthcare Facilities, Department of Health, "Frequently Asked Questions": https://www.orphf.gov.hk/en/regulatory_regime/new_licensing_scheme_faq, checked 5 Oct 2026.

This article is general health information and does not replace personal advice from a dentist. Organisations are named as examples and are not ranked or recommended.

※ The above are reference ranges compiled from public market data. Actual fees vary by clinic tier, dentist seniority, and case complexity, and do not represent any specific clinic's quote.