“Following a significant no-show rate during the initial operational days of the novel online reservation platform for public dental services, Hong Kong’s health officials have decided to implement a waiting list system from Monday onwards. The decision was announced on Friday by the Health Department, in response to the failure of 40 out of 151 people to honor their appointments at six dental clinics. The reasons for the no-shows ranged from scheduling conflicts to forgetfulness, accounting for 26% of the total bookings.

The department has pledged to keep a close watch on attendance rates, and if necessary, will introduce measures to prevent absenteeism and misuse of the system. The newly introduced waiting list mechanism will aim to fill any vacant slots.

Particularly, individuals aged 65 or older who were unsuccessful in the computerized ballot selection after registering online will be given priority on the waiting list. Should a slot become available, they will be contacted to schedule a visit to their preferred clinic.

Investors and those interested in the integration of technology in healthcare might find this development worthwhile. The Hong Kong Health Department’s move to digitalize, streamline, and optimize public health services reflects a broader global trend in the health sector. However, the primary aim of this piece is to provide updates on the new online booking system for public dental clinics in Hong Kong.”