Dentistry in Hong Kong: a look into the past and a glimpse of the future.

To meet the needs of a population numbering 5.3 million Hong Kong has, until now, relied upon training of their dentists in other countries. A net decline in manpower, predicted 10 years ago, has now become an increase of 85 per cent. Early in 1985, the first graduates will emerge from the new dental school and will make further manpower available. The water in Hong Kong has been fluoridated since 1961. Since then there has been a substantial reduction in dental caries but the treatment need still remains very high. A recent pilot study has shown that both the prevalence and severity of destructive periodontal disease are causes for considerable concern.