Hong Kong plans to relax the threshold for doctors without restrictions on permanent residency, and a new approach for dentists has come into effect!

There are new developments in Hong Kong’s medical field recently! Following the relaxation of the doctor registration system, significant changes have also emerged in the dental sector. Here’s a summary of the latest policies for fellow dentists interested in practicing in Hong Kong.

The Medical and Health Bureau is considering further relaxing the threshold for “special registration,” proposing to remove the restriction that “applicants must be permanent residents of Hong Kong.” This means that in the future, overseas or mainland medical graduates who are not Hong Kong residents can also come to Hong Kong to work through this pathway, provided they are employed by public institutions and undergo training.

Key mechanisms:

Learn by doing: Those without a junior college qualification must be employed by the Hospital Authority, the Department of Health, or the medical schools of two universities

Service Duration: Minimum of 5 years of service (including specialized training) must be completed in public institutions

Final Registration: Satisfactory performance may exempt from the professional qualification exam, directly transitioning to full registration

The authorities emphasized: The Hospital Authority will continue to prioritize hiring all suitable local university medical graduates, with ample training quotas available.

The “Dentist Registration (Amendment) Ordinance 2024” came into effect on January 1, 2025, opening new pathways for dentists trained outside the region.

Two new approaches:

Limited registration

· Applicable to: All non-local trained dentists

· Requirement: Employed by specified institutions such as the Department of Health, the Hospital Authority, the University of Hong Kong, or the University Dental Clinics Hong Kong

· Employment Status: Full-time employed by the specified institution

Exam Requirements: Must participate in the clinical portion of the dental board licensing examination

2. Special Registration

· Applicable: Dental Specialist

· Eligibility: Employed by a specified institution and certified by the Hong Kong Academy of Medicine that their professional standards are equivalent to local specialist qualifications

Exam requirements: Whether the clinical section is required will be individually assessed by the Dental Council

Transition to formal registration:

· Having served in the specified institution for a cumulative period of at least five years

· Satisfactory performance as certified by the institution

· Meets the conditions specified by the Dental Tube Association

After formal registration, one may practice in any institution in Hong Kong

The Health Department has initiated recruitment, with the first batch of non-local trained dentists set to arrive in Hong Kong to provide services in the first quarter of 2025.

In addition to the new pathway, non-local dental practitioners can still register in Hong Kong through the traditional licensing examination route.

Exam fee: HKD 10,650 per section per attempt

Eligibility for Application:

Complete a minimum of 4 years of full-time dental training approved by the relevant committee

Hold a dental degree or qualification approved by the committee

The committee does not have a pre-established list of recognized academic qualifications, and the examination panel considers each case individually

Exam language:

· Part 1 (Written Test): Chinese-English Multiple Choice Questions

· Part II and III: Candidates must choose between English or Cantonese for the examination and may not change their selection after it is made

1. Qualification Verification: Before applying, individuals may inquire with the Dental Council Secretariat to confirm whether their qualifications are acceptable

2. Document Preparation: Prepare notarized documents such as graduation certificates, transcripts, and proof of good conduct in advance

3. Exam Preparation Resources: The Dental Tube Association website provides sample test questions and recommended reference materials