Speakers
Rundown
Morning Session: Global Vision with Regional Strategy
9:00am – 9:50am Opening Ceremony & Kick-off
9:50am – 10:50am Keynote – Plenary I
10:50am – 11:15am Break
11:15am – 12:15pm Keynote – Plenary II
12:15pm – 1:00pm Seminar
Noon
1:00pm - 2:30pm Lunch
Afternoon Session: Local Actions with Collective Impact
2:30pm – 3:30pm Keynote – Plenary III
3:30pm – 4:45pm Recognition Ceremony for NGOs
4:45pm – 5:00pm Closing Remarks
Welcome Message
It is with immense gratitude and pride to welcome you to the Dental Services 80th Anniversary Symposium, themed "A New Era for Dental Services in Hong Kong." This landmark event celebrates eight decades of transformative work by the Dental Services of the Department of Health, Hong Kong, China, in advancing oral health and building healthier, more inclusive communities.
The Dental Services 80th Anniversary Symposium is both a celebration of past achievements and a call to action for the future. By aligning with global frameworks and fostering partnerships, we will continue to promote oral health for generations to come. Thank you for joining us and for your tireless dedication.
Sincerely,
Dr. Kitty HSE, JP
Consultant i/c Dental Services
Keynote speakers
Professor Hiroshi OGAWA
Director of the WHO Collaborating Centre for Translation of Oral Health Science, Japan
Bio & Abstract
Professor Shuguo ZHENG
Chief Dental Officer, People’s Republic of China and Co-Director of WHO Collaborating Centre for the Research and Training in Preventive Dentistry
Dr Navdeep KUMAR
Consultant Special Care Dentistry and Honorary Associate Professor, University College London, United Kingdom
Keynote - Plenary I:
Topic: The WHO’s Global Oral Health Agenda and Action Plan for 2030
Professor Hiroshi OGAWA
Director of the WHO Collaborating Centre for Translation of Oral Health Science, Japan
Professor OGAWA's Profile
Dr. Hiroshi Ogawa received his bachelor’s degree in dentistry from the Nihon University in Japan in 1994. He also holds a master’s degree in Public Health Dentistry from the University of Sydney in Australia. Moreover, he earned his doctorate in Preventive Dentistry from the Niigata University in Japan. He has been the Head and Professor at the Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, Niigata University.
Dr. Ogawa has held various positions at the World Health Organization (WHO) since 2003. Dr. Ogawa worked as a dental officer for the WHO Oral Health Programme at the Geneva headquarters between 2014 and 2017. He currently serves as the head of WHO Collaborating Centre for Translation of Oral Health Sciences, and as a member of the WHO Clinical Consortium on Healthy Aging. He has been a member of the Council at the World Dental Federation (FDI) since 2023.
Dr. Ogawa also contributes to clinical research that examines the connection between oral and general non-communicable diseases, which support the use of the shared risk factor approach.
Abstract:
The World Health Assembly approved a Resolution on oral health in 2021, which affirms that oral health should be firmly embedded within the NCD agenda and that oral health-care interventions should be included in universal health coverage programs. This resolution on oral health requested WHO to translate the Global Strategy on Oral Health A75/10 Add.1 into an action plan for public oral health by 2023, including a framework for tracking progress with clear measurable targets of oral health to be achieved by 2030.
WHO’s Global Oral Health Status Report (GOHSR) provides the comprehensive picture of oral disease burden and highlights challenges and opportunities to accelerate progress towards universal coverage for oral health. The GOHSR is part of WHO’s series of data reports and an important milestone in the larger process of mobilizing political action and resources for oral health. The GOHSR will serve as a reference for policymakers and provide orientation for a wide range of stakeholders across different sectors; and guide the advocacy process towards better prioritization of oral health in global, regional, and national contexts.
In this lecture, we evaluate our progress based on our accomplishments and investigate additional approaches that can ensure that everyone has access to the services they need for oral diseases that are preventable and treatable. There is no health without oral health.
Keynote - Plenary II
Topic: China’s Role in Advancing Global Oral Health: From Policy to Practice
Professor Shuguo ZHENG
DMD/Ph.D./M.D.,
Chief Dental Officer, People’s Republic of China and Co-Director of WHO Collaborating Centre for the Research and Training in Preventive Dentistry
Professor ZHENG's profile
Professor and Chairman, Department of Preventive Dentistry, Peking University School of Stomatology. He graduated from the Peking University School of Stomatology with DMD degree (1992) and Ph.D. & M.D. degree (1996). He is the Chief Representative of China's Chief Dental Officer. He is the vice-President of the Asian Academy of Preventive Dentistry (AAPD) and the co-director of the World Health Organization Collaborating Center (WHOCC) for the Research and Training in Preventive Dentistry in China. He is also the Chairman of the Stomatological Society of Chinese Association for Improving Birth Outcome and Child Development as well as the Chairman-elect of the Chinese Society of Preventive Dentistry, Chinese Stomatological Association.
His research focuses are: (1) Oral biomarker study in the diagnosis and monitor for oral and systemic diseases. (2) The study of the epidemiology, workforce and policy for dental public health in China. (3) Molecular biological study for the dental developmental abnormality.
He received more than 23 national research grants in China and published more than 100 papers as the first author or corresponding author in journals such as Protein & Cell, Journal of Dental Research and so on. As the first complete person, he has won one international and three national science and technology awards. As a key expert, he has been involved in the formulation of many national dental public health policies, as well as the design and management of national dental public health projects.
Abstract
The World Health Organization's Global Oral Health Action Plan 2023-2030 serves as a pivotal roadmap to enhance global oral health and aligns with the universal health coverage agenda. China has been an active participant in this global initiative, contributing significantly to the development and implementation of the action plan. China has aligned its national oral health policies with the global framework and implemented a range of policies and measures under the six strategic themes. China's proactive engagement and successful execution of policies follow the global oral health action plan provide valuable insights and a model for other countries and regions in the pursuit of better oral health outcomes. This presentation will highlight the key strategies, policies, and achievements of China in the context of the global oral health action plan, emphasizing the importance of collaboration and commitment in advancing oral health on a global scale.
Keynote - Plenary III
Topic: Challenges and Innovations in the Dental Care of Adult Patients with Special Needs
Dr Navdeep KUMAR
Consultant Special Care Dentistry and Honorary Associate Professor, University College London, United Kingdom
Dr. KUMAR's profile
For over two decades, Dr. Kumar has been dedicated to advancing the field of Special Care Dentistry (SCD), amassing extensive clinical, teaching, and research experience to ensure the delivery of high-quality oral healthcare for individuals with impairments and disabilities. Since her appointment as Consultant in SCD at University College London Hospitals (UCLH) in 2007, she has played a pivotal role in expanding the service into a renowned unit recognized for its clinical excellence and commitment to education and development.
Dr. Kumar possesses significant expertise in managing medically compromised patients and addressing oral health complications arising from systemic diseases. She is deeply involved in training the next generation of professionals in SCD, mentoring candidates pursuing certificates, diplomas, and master's degrees in the specialty. Her contributions extend beyond clinical practice into shaping policy, as she actively participates in the creation of national and international oral healthcare guidelines. These include protocols for patients with cancer, thalassaemia, sickle cell disease, renal conditions, and dementia.
She is also a respected author in the field, having co-authored one of the first comprehensive textbooks on SCD, 'Special Care in Dentistry', and more recently co-edited 'A Practical Approach to Special Care Dentistry', published in 2022.
Dr. Kumar’s leadership is reflected in a range of influential roles: she has served as an examiner for the ORE, MSc, and DSCD (UCL and RCS), Honorary Senior Lecturer at UCL, Chair of Examiners for the DSCD (RCS England), and President of the British Society for Disability and Oral Health (BSDH) in 2009. Additionally, she serves as Specialty Advisor to the Royal College of Surgeons of England, Training Programme Director for SCD, and Chair of the Association of Dental Hospitals across the UK.
In 2020, she was appointed Divisional Clinical Director of the Royal National ENT & Eastman Dental Hospitals, and in January 2022, she became an Honorary Associate Professor—further testament to her ongoing commitment to the advancement of special care dentistry.
Abstract
Challenges and Innovations in the Management of Special Care Dental Patients
Presented by: Dr. Navdeep Kumar
Consultant in Special Care Dentistry | Honorary Associate Professor | Divisional Clinical Director  
Overview
What happens when dentistry meets patient complexity? As our population ages and medical advances extend lives, dental professionals increasingly encounter patients with challenging medical, physical, and social needs. Special Care Dentistry is no longer a niche specialty - it is central to everyday dental practice.
In this eye-opening lecture, Dr. Navdeep Kumar draws from clinical leadership and front-line experience to unpack the evolving demands of our patients. Attendees will gain a clear framework for risk assessing and delivering safe, effective & empathetic care to those who need it most.
What You’ll Learn
  • What is Special Care Dentistry? Understand its scope and why it matters to every dental professional.
  • Why It Matters Now More Than Ever: Learn why an ageing, medically complex population is reshaping the demands on general dental care.
  • Clinical Adaptation: Explore risk assessment and treatment modifications for patients with complex needs
  • Overcoming Barriers: Navigate real-world challenges with practical, evidence-based solutions exploring conditions such as dementia, cancer, or immunosuppression.
  • Learn Through Cases: Engage with case studies illustrating how expert care transforms outcomes for vulnerable patients.
Why Attend?
  • Gain practical skills to treat special care patients with confidence and compassion.
  • Discover innovative approaches that are shaping the future of inclusive dentistry.
  • Leave inspired, informed, and ready to make a difference—regardless of your role or setting.
Who Should Attend?
Dentists, dental care professionals (hygienists and therapists), dental students, specialists, healthcare providers—anyone committed to providing high-quality care to every patient, no matter how complex.
Join us as we reimagine what it means to care in dentistry—where clinical skill meets humanity, and no patient is left behind.
House Rules
Please show your admission QR code at the reception counter upon entry.
No eating or drinking inside Palace Museum. Bottled water is allowed.
Video recording is prohibited throughout the symposium.
Please keep quiet during the event.
Dental Services 80th Anniversary Symposium
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