'HK dentists won't lose out to Guangdong counterparts'

The president of the College of Dental Surgeons of Hong Kong, Leung Wai-keung, on Tuesday brushed aside concerns that the city's dentists could lose patients when the Elderly Health Care Voucher Scheme is expanded later this year. Two dental clinics in Shenzhen will join the voucher scheme from the third quarter, along with five hospitals in various Guangdong cities that also provide dental services. Speaking to reporters after attending a luncheon, Leung said he doesn't think Hong Kong dentists will suffer as a result of the voucher scheme expansion. "Our Hong Kong population, they do have certain inclinations to attend dental treatment from local or overseas, particularly mainland therapists, dentists. So I don't think at this present moment the patients' choices will change. I think the matter in consideration is also the quality of service, the hygiene, and sometimes that people could consider prices," Leung said. Meanwhile on an RTHK programme, Deputy Secretary of Health Eddie Lee said he believes Hong Kong dentists are competitive enough to adapt to market changes. "We need to look at the market, because it depends on the patient's choice. Dentists who work near the border checkpoints may feel more pressure, but I believe that Hong Kong dentists are of high quality and are competitive," Lee said. "If they see a change in the market, I believe Hong Kong dentists will also make changes to their operation, improve service quality, or update the prices."