'In Hong Kong and the region there is a common consensus that people go to the dentist only when there is a problem rather than for annual checkups.'

The most common reason people did not visit dentists for regular checkups was a fear of pain, he said.

Another prevalent reason was the perception that, if nothing appeared to be wrong, why pay good money to be told everything was fine?

'The population associates a trip to the dentist with pain and not with the benefits to general health such as good fresh breath and a nice smile,' he said.

'But it makes more economic sense if you identify the problem when it is very simple and get it sorted out very early.'

Despite Dr Chan's fears for the future of the territory's teeth and gums, the Department of Health's Oral Health Survey 2001 Report revealed that Hongkongers have a very good level of oral health compared with people in many other developed countries and cities.

Using the World Health Organisation's 35 to 44 age group benchmark for monitoring global standards, the government found that the oral health of Hong Kong's population was the same as, if not better than, that in most developed countries in the world.

The survey revealed that no Hongkongers between the ages of 35 and 44 had lost all their teeth. In fact, benchmarked against other countries, Hong Kong's adults ranked the best in this respect.

Their levels of tooth decay also ranked the lowest, while the condition of their gums was better than that of their counterparts in Britain and the United States, the survey found.

However, the removal of teeth was seen as a common solution to oral health problems, especially among the aged.

The survey found tooth loss was considered by most to be a natural eventuality in life, with 41.2 per cent of adults saying it was part of ageing.

But tooth loss in old age could be avoided and actions to achieve this should start as early as possible, dental experts said.

The survey found that most people in Hong Kong thought tooth loss in old age was most likely the result of years of a lack of appropriate oral health care.

Historical comparisons show that these days Hongkongers lose fewer teeth as they age than they used to.

Looking to the future, further reduction in tooth loss and improved oral health were possible if people adopted appropriate lifestyles and visited their dentists regularly for checkups, the survey said.

Dr Chan identified government education programmes and the high standards of local dentistry as significant factors in the high ranking of Hong Kong's oral health.

He advised against seeking dental treatment outside Hong Kong's borders.

Many Hongkongers travel to cities such as Shenzhen for dental work but such trips should be undertaken with extreme caution, Dr Chan warned.

All dentists in Hong Kong were registered with and monitored by the Dental Council of Hong Kong, he said.

The council has a programme of continuing education and there are strict rules on advertising.

'In all trades there are always bad apples and as a consumer you would want the best protection,' Dr Chan said.

In its survey, the government said tooth loss was not a natural eventuality in life.

It said attaining optimal levels of oral health required a conscious effort by individuals, along with concerted efforts by the government, the dental profession, dental schools and the community.

It said prevention was the key to good oral health, which was essential to everyone's health and well-being.