Dental tourism to mainland China : perceptions of Hong Kong citizens and dentists

Abstract

Background: There is a growing trend of dental tourism to mainland China in Hong Kong. Objective: The aim of this project was to investigate the trend and impact of dental tourism to mainland China, from the perspectives of citizens and dentists in Hong Kong. Materials and Methods: Self-completed online questionnaires were distributed to general public and dentists in Hong Kong, respectively. For the general public, convenient sample was used to investigate participants’ experience, satisfaction and future willingness of seeking dental treatment in Hong Kong and mainland China. Besides, participants were asked about their understanding of regulations governing dental practice in Hong Kong and mainland China. As for dentist group, a systematic random sampling method was adopted to collect dentists’ opinions on dental tourism to mainland China, and current policies on dental practice in Hong Kong. Results: A total of 552 responses from the general public were recorded. Participants reported a wide range of dental treatments received in mainland China, such as scaling (63.4%), fillings (45.1%), extractions (25.6%), and implants (18.3%). They reported high level of satisfaction with “Service attitude” (3.99/5), “Price” (3.90/5), “Appointment and waiting time” (3.87/5) in terms of mainland China dental services. “Reasonable price” was the key reason (95.7%) for dental tourism to mainland China, as well as “Good service attitude” (66.7%) and “Acceptable waiting time” (56.5%). Only a few of participants (8.4%) knew how to handle unprofessional misconduct of mainland China dental practice. Besides, a total of 159 responses (response rate of 23.5%) from Hong Kong dentists were recorded. Most of the dentists (71.2%) disagreed that dental tourism to mainland China as a solution to alleviate local dental shortage. Around half (49.6%) of the dentists disagreed that dental tourism to mainland China is beneficial to public’s oral health. The majority of dentists reported (69.2%) negative influence of dental tourism on their business, and general practitioners were more likely to be affected compared to specialists (p<0.05). More than 80% of the dentists believed that advertisement of mainland China dental practice in Hong Kong induces an unfairness, and no dental advertisement should be legally allowed in Hong Kong for both Hong Kong and mainland Chinese dentists. Conclusion: Price is a major reason that the public prefer mainland China dental services. General public’s knowledge concerning risks associated with dental tourism in mainland China is limited. Dental tourism to mainland China has adverse impacts on local dentists, especially for general practitioners. Thus, it calls for policies and regulations to safeguard well-beings and benefits of both citizens and dentists in Hong Kong.