Dentist Attitude towards Dental Tourism in Hong Kong

Objective:  Medical tourism generates more than US$60 billion annually worldwide. In Hong Kong, the mainland China market is important for all types of industries, including healthcare. To determine dentists’ attitudes towards dental tourism in Hong Kong, with respect to caring for patients from the People’s Republic of China (PRC). Method:  A survey was conducted among a random sample of 576 registered dentists in Hong Kong. Participants were asked to report their current practices, policies and attitudes towards providing oral healthcare services to patients from the PRC. Variations in practices, policies and attitudes with respect to practice profiles were explored. Result: The response rate to the survey was 34.7% (200/576). The vast majority of dentists (92.0%, 184) reported to treating patients from the PRC in their clinics. Most (65.0%, 130) were willing to treat patients from the PRC in the near future if the opportunity arises. However, many (53.5%, 107) found or foresee difficulties in providing continuous care for patients from the PRC. The practice of treating patients from the PRC was associated with years in dental practice (p<0.05) and previous experience living overseas (p<0.05). No significant variations in attitudes to dental tourism were apparent (p>0.05). Conclusion:  Most dentists in Hong Kong are treating patients from the PRC and are willing to do so if the opportunity arises. Nonetheless, challenges remain to providing comprehensive and continuous care. Years in dental practice and experience of living overseas are the key factors associated with the practice of treating dental patients from the PRC in Hong Kong.