DENTAL SERVICES FOR GOVERNMENT-AIDED SCHOOLS

Mr Ho Kah Leong asked the Minister for Health if he will consider extending dental services to Government-aided schools.

The Minister for Health (Mr Chua Sian Chin): Mr Speaker, Sir, at the present moment, no school dental clinics have been established in Government-aided schools, like those already established in 43 Government primary schools. However, students from Government-aided schools who require emergency dental treatment are catered for at the following dental clinics:

(i) Pegu Road School Dental Centre;

(ii) Institute of Health School Dental Clinic;

(iii) Dental Clinic, Bukit Panjang Outpatient Dispensary;

(iv) Dental Clinic, Outram Road General Hospital;

(v) Balestier Mixed School Dental Clinic;

(vi) Bartley Primary School Dental Clinic; and

(vii) Tanjong Katong Girls' School Dental Clinic.

In addition, a few smaller Government-aided schools outside city limits are being visited by mobile dental clinics on a regular basis.

Up to date, only one Government-aided primary school has applied for a dental clinic to be established in its premises. This school has provided suitable clinic accommodation and the Ministry has agreed to provide dental staff and equipment to run this clinic. It is the policy of the Ministry to extend dental services as far as is possible to Government-aided schools which can provide suitable clinic accommodation, so long as dental staff and equipment are available to operate new clinics.