Special care dental committee set up; toothless rate among older people fell from 5.6% to 0.9% in a decade
The Department of Health has set up a Special Care Dental Service Coordinating Committee to advise on long-term dental services for people with disabilities, special needs and financial hardship. Citing its oral health surveys, the department said the share of non-institutionalised 65–74-year-olds with no natural teeth fell from 5.6% in 2011 to 0.9% in 2021, and average tooth count rose from 19.3 to 22.8, but more than half of older people using long-term care services have untreated decay.
What it means for you
Older people are keeping more teeth, yet many in long-term care still have untreated decay; families can check on relatives and ask about elderly dental outreach services.
Key points
- Toothless rate, age 65–74: 5.6% (2011) → 0.9% (2021)
- Average teeth: 19.3 → 22.8
- Over half of long-term-care users have untreated decay
Source: 衞生署
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.