Via its Charities Trust, it has donated almost HK$72 million to support 36 students over a five-year period to study for the professional diploma in dental hygiene. 

The Hong Kong Jockey Club, through its Charities Trust, has approved a donation of nearly HK$72 million to the Vocational Training Council (VTC) to establish the Jockey Club Dental Care Training Centre.

The centre will provide facilities and a training environment that replicates a real-world dental clinic for the newly launched professional diploma in dental hygiene programme, which will strengthen the training capacity for dental hygienists. In addition, the Club has said that it will provide full tuition sponsorship for selected students to encourage more individuals to pursue careers as dental hygienists and serve the community.

Speaking at the opening ceremony for the centre, club steward Philip Lo said that “Health” and “Development of Professionals” are key focus areas of The Hong Kong Jockey Club Charities Trust. He went on to say that the Club will continue to advance its efforts to strengthen preventive and primary healthcare services, nurture healthcare professionals, and promote healthy lifestyles, with a view to enhancing the physical and mental well-being of the community.

Located at the VTC Chai Wan campus, the approximately 18,000-square-feet Jockey Club Dental Care Training Centre is equipped with dental training facilities, including dental chairs, X-ray systems, suction systems and compressors, as well as virtual reality training systems and dental simulation equipment.

In addition to supporting the establishment of the centre, the club will support 36 students across three cohorts over a five-year period to study for the VTC’s professional diploma in dental hygiene programme. Under the sponsorship scheme, each eligible student will receive full tuition support up to HK$140,000. Upon graduation, these students will be required to serve in NGOs or government dental clinics. 

The 18-month programme has been accredited by the Dental Council of Hong Kong.