Hong Kong Dental Association: Overseas Dental Chains Open Consultation Points in Hong Kong, Suspected of Illegal Practice

Source: Hong Kong Dental Association

DentalGoodNews｜Hong Kong Dental Association (HKDA) issued a press release on July 22, 2026, stating that after dispatching personnel to conduct undercover visits as "mystery shoppers," it was discovered that an overseas dental chain had set up consultation offices in busy areas of Hong Kong. Staff dressed in doctor's gowns used intraoral cameras (IOC) to perform diagnoses and provide treatment recommendations. The association believes that the aforementioned actions may violate the "Dentists Registration Ordinance" (Chapter 156) and could constitute illegal practice of dentistry, urging relevant authorities to follow up continuously.

The association interviewed over 200 private practicing dentists in Hong Kong last November (accounting for nearly 10% of all private practicing dentists in the city). The survey showed that each interviewed dentist received an average of four patients per month who had previously received dental services overseas and subsequently required follow-up care in Hong Kong. Among these follow-up cases, dental implant treatment accounted for 67%, endodontic treatment (root canal treatment) for 53%, and fillings for 49%.

Source: Hong Kong Dental Association

Regarding advertising and sales practices, the association pointed out that some overseas dental chains have published advertisements in Hong Kong boasting "implant in the morning, eat apples by the afternoon," emphasizing the simplicity and speed of the procedures. The association also noted that some overseas dental chains proposed high-risk treatments without fully understanding patients' medical histories. Additionally, advertisements promoting rapid recovery were described as concerning.

The association also disclosed a specific case: a patient currently in her 60s underwent an examination at a dental clinic in Shenzhen in late 2024 and had six dental implants (implant fixtures) placed in a single session in early 2025. Post-surgery, the patient experienced oral numbness and severe facial swelling. Upon returning to Hong Kong for medical attention, examinations revealed that the implants had entered the nerve area, leading to a diagnosis of permanent nerve damage. The patient subsequently had all six implants removed in two separate surgeries. The patient stated that she had clearly informed the clinic staff that Hong Kong dentists had deemed her unsuitable for dental implant treatment, but the staff still urged her to proceed, using phrases such as "the chief director will definitely do a good job" and "the chief director is very difficult to book," and required her to sign a consent form without providing a full explanation.

Source: Hong Kong Dental Association

The Hong Kong Dental Association disclosed that, on the same day, dental industry institutions and representatives in Hong Kong, with support from mainland dental industry representatives, issued a joint statement proposing four recommendations: first, urging enhanced collaboration between relevant regulatory authorities in Hong Kong and the mainland; second, amending the "Undesirable Medical Advertisements Ordinance" (Chapter 231) to include dental implant treatment, teeth whitening, and other dental diseases or treatments in the relevant schedules for regulation; third, establishing subsidiary legislation specifically regulating medical advertisements under the framework of the "Trade Descriptions Ordinance" to set uniform content standards for all medical advertisements published in Hong Kong; and fourth, strengthening public oral health education, emphasizing that dental services must be based on examination and diagnosis by registered dentists to formulate treatment plans, and are not general commercial products.