Dentistry graduates to undergo mandatory internship programme

The mandatory internship programme will start in 2025.

Local dentistry graduates will soon be required to undergo a one-year internship programme before obtaining full registration as the government plans to amend the Dental Registration Ordinance.

Department of Health Principal Dental Officer Rony Cho said the proposed internship requirement aims to enable new dentists to handle complex and urgent cases independently, enhancing their adaptation to dental practice in Hong Kong.

The internship will also require graduates to rotate to different departments, including general dentistry, community special dental service, school dental care service, and hospital dental service.

“Under rotation to different dental services allows them to prepare themselves for their future career, such as specialised training,” Cho said.

Cho said the mandatory internship programme will start in 2025 since those graduating this year have started seeking employment.

Aside from this, the Hong Kong government is also proposing new pathways for admitting qualified non-locally trained dentists to work in Hong Kong and establishing a statutory registration system for ancillary dental workers.

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