Pre-school oral health outreach starts in September, with over 70% of kindergartens enrolled
The Department of Health's Outreach Oral Health Programme for Pre-school Children starts on 1 September 2026. Twenty-three appointed providers visit participating kindergartens to give children aged 32 months or above a free annual oral check and preventive care, including fluoride application. 680 of Hong Kong's 949 kindergartens have enrolled.
What it means for you
Parents do not need to book or pay: if the kindergarten has joined, children get a yearly check and fluoride application at school, plus an individual oral health report.
Editors' take: the background
Baby teeth fall out, but they help children chew and speak, and hold space for adult teeth. Badly decayed baby teeth can cause pain and infection and may affect the adult teeth underneath.
Fluoride varnish is a concentrated fluoride painted on the teeth to help enamel resist decay; it is quick and needs no drilling. Parents also get an individual oral health report to follow up on.
Key points
- Ask your child's kindergarten whether it has joined
- Checks, fluoride application and a personal report are free
- Kindergartens can enquire at am3_cds@dh.gov.hk
Source: Department of Health
This is a news summary written by our editors, not medical advice. Please refer to the original source and seek professional advice for your own situation.
Questions readers ask
My child's kindergarten isn't taking part. What else is there?
Ask whether the school plans to join. Once your child starts primary school, they can join the Department of Health's School Dental Care Service.
Baby teeth fall out anyway. Does decay matter?
Yes. Decayed baby teeth can cause pain and infection, affect eating and sleep, and may harm the adult teeth below. Get them checked early.
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