Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
DH reminds parents to register children for three key services in new school year: annual health assessments, school dental care and seasonal influenza vaccinations
Student Health Service
—————————-
Children and adolescents undergo rapid physical and psychological development during their primary and secondary school years. To safeguard healthy growth, the Student Health Service (SHS) under the DH provides comprehensive annual health assessments for all primary and secondary students in Hong Kong. Services include growth monitoring; screenings for vision, hearing and scoliosis; physical examination; health assessment questionnaires on health behaviours and psychosocial well-being; individual health counselling; health education; and mop-up vaccinations. Some potential health issues of adolescents may sometimes be difficult for their parents to detect in daily life. Through a series of assessments, the DH helps parents understand their children’s health conditions early on and identify potential health risks. The Special Assessment Services of the SHS under the DH has optometrists, audiologists, dietitians and clinical psychologists who provide further assessments for students. Students in need are also referred to specialist clinics or other appropriate institutions for assessment and follow-up services if necessary. This comprehensive approach safeguards students’ physical and mental health.
Participation in the health assessment service each year enhances students’ health awareness and health literacy, helping them better manage their health conditions, and cope with the physical and mental challenges of adolescent development, academic pursuits and growing up.
During the 2024/25 school year, approximately 19 000 students (accounting for 4.3 per cent of the total student population) who received the DH’s annual health assessment service were referred to the Hospital Authority for further assessment due to various health issues. Reasons for referral mainly included growth and development, such as weight (obesity or being underweight), vision, hearing and scoliosis.
School Dental Care Service
———————————-
In the 2024/25 school year, approximately 310 000 students participated in the SDCS and over 90 per cent of participants were rendered dentally fit after receiving the services. The Government’s Report of Oral Health Survey 2021 revealed that, compared globally, the tooth decay status of permanent teeth among 12-year-old students in Hong Kong was at a highly satisfactory level, with a very low proportion of untreated decayed tooth and almost no missing teeth, demonstrating the effectiveness of the SDCS in prevention, early detection and early treatment of tooth decay.
Enrolment methods
———————-
In the 2025/26 school year, a total of 293 000 primary students participated in both the SHS and the SDCS, accounting for approximately 91 per cent of all primary students in Hong Kong. Among secondary students, 230 000 participated in the SHS, with a participation rate of approximately 66 per cent.
The DH earnestly encourages parents to enrol their children in the above two services mentioned above. For enquiries regarding the enrolment methods, please contact the service units listed below or visit the websites:
Student Health Service Tel: 2856 9133
Website: www.studenthealth.gov.hk
School Dental Care Service Tel: 2928 6132
Website: www.schooldental.gov.hk
Seasonal Influenza Vaccination School Outreach Programme
—————————————————————————Issued at HKT 15:00
NNNN