Leading public hospitals in Shanghai are always crowded and medical staff, though, known for their excellent capability, have to serve patients speedily.

To enhance public hospitals' service quality, meet patients' demand and involve hospitals in more social and community events, the Shanghai Hospital Development Center has launched a patient-focused program to encourage top medical facilities to initiate and offer more innovative, digital and human-centered measures.

All the 37 city-level medical facilities have actively responded to the program, unveiling measures in line with their specialities.

"Public hospitals should improve their human-centered service concept and take note of the different demands of different kinds of patients and try their best to offer them a more dignified experience. Patients should experience not only top medical ability but also warm and kind service," said Zhao Dandan from the center.

The elderly, children, disabled people, pregnant women and those with mental disorders are given special care by public hospitals, which have initiated various measures to cater to their needs.

Special dental clinic for special children

The Affiliated Stomatology Hospital of Tongji University has opened the city's first regular dental outpatients clinic for children with autism and other problems like cerebral palsy, Down's syndrome, myasthenia and certain rare diseases that prevent them from visiting normal dental clinics.

In the clinic, doctors offer individualized measures for patients so they can enjoy a relaxed and comfortable environment as well as appropriate medical management, ensuring smooth dental treatment.

The clinic has also set up a database for each patient on their dental condition, treatment process, type of disorder and seriousness and special habits, while offering long-term health guidance.

If you go

The special dental clinic is open every Thursday afternoon, and both Chinese and expatriate children are welcome. The hospital is at 399 Yanchang Rd M. (延长中路399号).

Chinese patients can reserve the service on the hospital's public WeChat account, while expatriate patients can call its hotline (6631-5207) for consultation and reservation. The hospital is covered by commercial insurance and its registration window receives VISA cards.