> 
THIRTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC 
) 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
First Regular Session 
S E N A T E  
s. Fls. 
4 
Introduced by Senator S. R. OsrneAa 111 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
Republic Act No. 4419 otherwise known as “The Philippine Dental Act of 
1965,” was approved on June 19, 1965 mainly to provide for the regulation, 
control and supervision of the practice of dentistry in the Philippines. Experts 
consider the practice of dentistry as one of the leading and important professions 
in the Philippines today. In fact, economists have expressed major concern over 
the dental health problems of the country stating that “in economic terms, every 
tooth affected means the loss of productivity of two days.” More than thirty years 
after the approval of R.A. 4419, it is believed that the law no longer reflects the 
present state of dental profession due to economic developments, scientific 
advances and technological trends that need to be addressed. 
Thus, the proposed bill seeks to amend R.A. 4419 for the purpose of 
encouraging Filipino dentists prepare themselves for global competition and 
keeping them abreast of socio-economic development, scientific advances, and 
technological breakthroughs. 
Among the salient features of the proposed 
measure are the following namely: 
1. To safeguard the public against those who would be 
specialists who do not meet the necessary qualifications of a 
specialist, by regulating the proliferation of specialty groups; 
2. To conform with provisions of Presidential Decree No. 
223 
as 
amended, 
creating 
the 
Professional 
Regulation 
Commission; 
3. To eliminate the possibility that unlicensed graduates of 
dentistry embark in illegal practice; 
4. To upgrade the standard of the profession by requiring 
those who had failed three times in the Board Examinations to take 
a refresher course for one year in a dental school or college 
accredited by the Professional Regulation Commission. 
5. To enhance ‘the profession by seeking congressional 
funding for the Council for the Advancement of Dental Research. 
6. To further protect the private practitioners and the public 
as well, by increasing the penalty for any violation of the measure 
with a fine ranging from fifty thousand pesos (P50,OOO.OO) to Two 


Hundred thousand pesos (P200,OOO.OO) or imprisonment of not 
less than ten years and one day nor more than twenty years, or 
both; and 
7. To make the Regulatory Code of Dental Practice as an 
integral part of the proposed measure. 
In the light of government’s objective to prepare Filipino professionals 
toward modernization and globalization, the approval of this bill is earnestly 
sought. 
SERGIO OSMENA 111 
Senator 


THIRTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC 
) 
L
.
 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
1 
First Regular Session 
) 
introduced by Senator S. R. OsmeAa 111 
AN ACT 
UPGRADING THE STANDARD OF DENTAL PROFESSION IN THE 
PHILIPPINES AMENDING FOR THE PURPOSE REPUBLIC ACT NO. 4419 
ENTITLED, “AN ACT TO REGULATE THE PRACTICE OF DENTISTRY IN THE 
PHILIPPINES AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES” 
Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Republic of 
the Philippines in Congress assembled: 
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SECTION I .  Short Title. This Act shall be known as the “Philippine 
Dental Reform Act of 2004.” 
Sec. 2. Declaration of Policy. It is hereby declared the policy of the State 
to prepare Filipino professionals for global competition. 
To this end, the 
government shall take necessary steps to upgrade the standards in the practice 
of dental profession in the Philippines to keep Filipino dentists abreast of 
scientific advances and technological breakthroughs. 
Sec. 3. 
Republic Act No. 4419, otherwise known as the “Philippine 
Dental Act of 1965 is hereby amended to read as follows: 
ARTICLE I - Title of Act 
SECTION I. 
Title of Act. - 
This Act shall be known as “The Philippine 
Dental REFORM Act of [I 9651 2004.” 
ARTICLE II - Objectives and Implementation 
SEC. 
2. 
Objectives. - This Act provides for (a) the regulation, 
control and supervision of the practice of dentistry in the Philippines; (b) 


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the giving of licensure examinations to graduates of recognized [ dental ] 
schools OF DENTISTRY for the purpose of registration; (C) THE 
ACCREDITATION, MONITORING AND 
SUPERVISION OF THE 
VARIOUS SPECIALTIES; [(c)] (D) the regulation and standardization of 
UNDERGRADUATE AND POST-GRADUATE CONTINUING dental 
education; [(d)] (E) the promotion and development of dental research in 
the country; (F) THE ENFORCEMENT OF THE REGULATORY CODE 
OF ETHICS AND DENTAL PRACTICE IN THE PHILIPPINES WHICH IS 
HEREBY MADE AN INTEGRAL PART OF THIS ACT; and [(e)] (G) the 
stipulation of penalties for infractions or violations of this Act, or any other 
laws, rules and regulations authorized under the provisions of this Act. 
SEC. 3. Implementation. - For the purpose of attaining or carrying out 
the objectives of this Act, and in order to implement the [ other ] 
provisions thereof, [ there are created ] the following agencies ARE 
HEREBY CREATED: (a) [The] Board of [Dental Examiners] DENTISTRY; 
(b) [The] Council [on] OF Dental Education; and (c) [The] Council for the 
Advancement of Dental Research. 
ARTICLE I l l  - The Board of [ Dental Examiners ] DENTISTRY 
SEC. 4. Composition. - 
The Board of [ Dental Examiners ] DENTISTRY 
shall be composed of five members to be appointed by the President of 
the 
Philippines 
from 
among 
[candidates 
certified] 
NOMINEES 
RECOMMENDED 
BY 
THE 
PROFESSIONAL 
REGULATIONS 
COMMISSION AS NOMINATED by the Philippine Dental Association 
[and/or 
any 
other 
bona 
fide 
dental 
association,] 
upon 
the 
recommendation of its constituent chapter societies [or affiliate 
organizations], as possessing the qualifications prescribed in Section 
[five] 5 of this Act [, said appointments being subject to confirmation by 
the Commission on Appointments]. 


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SEC. 5. Qualifications. - 
[The] A member[s] of the Board shall, at 
the time of HIS appointment FOR THE DURATION OF HIS 
INCUMBENCY: (a) be a natural-born citizen of the Philippines and 
actually resident thereof; (B) BE OF GOOD MORAL CHARACTER AND 
INTEGRITY AS CERTIFIED BY THE CHAPTER; [(b)] (C) be a duly 
registered dentist in the Philippines; [(c)] (D) must have had at least ten 
years practice of the profession; (E) MUST HAVE AT LEAST FIVE (5) 
CONSECUTIVE YEARS TEACHING EXPERIENCE AND MUST HAVE A 
POST-GRADUATE EDUCATION IN DENTISTRY; [(d)] must not be a 
member of the UNDERGRADUATE faculty of any school, college or 
university where dentistry is taught, nor shall have, directly or indirectly, 
any pecuniary interest in such institution FOR A PERIOD OF THREE (3) 
YEARS PRIOR TO HIS APPOINTMENT; [(e)] (G) must not be connected 
in any capacity with any business enterprise, firm or company engaged in 
the buying, selling or manufacture of dental goods, equipment, materials 
or supplies FOR A PERIOD OF THREE (3) YEARS PRIOR TO HIS 
APPOINTMENT; and [(f)] (H) must be a member of good standing of the 
Philippine Dental Association [and/or any other bona fide dental 
association] AND HIS LOCAL CHAPTER SOCIETY for at the last five 
years, PROVIDED, HOWEVER, THAT NO MEMBER OF THE BOARD 
MAY QUALIFY TO ANY POSITION, ELECTIVE OR APPOINTIVE IN 
THE PHILIPPINE DENTAL ASSOCIATION AND/OR OTHER DENTAL 
ORGANIZATIONS DULY ACCREDITED BY THE PROFESSIONAL 
REGULATIONS COMMISSION DURING HIS INCUMBENCY. 
SEC. 6. [Tenure] TERM of Office. - 
The members of the Board 
shall serve for a term of five (5) years [: Provided, however, That not 
more than one member shall be appointed for the full term within the 
same calendar year, and that appointments shall be made to fill existing 
vacancies only, so that the term of one member shall be due to expire 


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every year: Provided, further, That] The member serving the last year of 
his term shall automatically become the chairman of the Board, and shall 
not be [entitled] ABLE to succeed himself immediately after the expiration 
of his tenure of office; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, THAT APPOINTMENT 
FOR ANY EXISTING VACANCY OR VACANCIES SHALL BE MADE 
WITHIN ONE MONTH FROM THE TIME THE VACANCY OCCURRED 
FOR THE UNEXPIRED TERM ONLY, SO THAT THE TERM OF ONE 
MEMBER SHALL BE DUE TO EXPIRE EVERY YEAR.. 
SEC. 7. Compensation. - 
T ~ e  
CHAIRMAN AND members of the 
Board shall [each] receive [as] A BASIC compensation, [a fee of ten 
pesos per capita of the candidates examined] AS PROVIDED BY THE 
PROFESSIONAL REGULATIONS COMMISSION. [The chairman of the 
Board shall receive no extra compensation. ] 
SEC. 8. Removal from office. - Any member of the Board, 
including the chairman, may be removed for [incompetency or continued 
neglect of duty, for commission or toleration of irregularities in the 
examination, or, for unprofessional or dishonorable conduct,] ANY OF 
THE FOLLOWING CAUSES after a proper administrative investigation: 
(A) INCOMPETENCE OR NEGLECT OF DUTY, (B) COMMISSION OR 
TOLERANCE 
OF 
IRREGULARITIES 
IN 
THE 
QUALIFYING 
EXAMINATIONS, AND (C) UNPROFESSIONAL OR DISHONORABLE 
CONDUCT. 
SEC. 9. Powers vested in THE Board. - 
The Board of [Dental 
Examiners] DENTISTRY is vested with authority, conformably with the 
provisions of this Act[,]: (A) to issue, suspend or revoke certificates of 
registration for the practice of dentistry, or to reissue the same, subject to 
the [approval of the President of the Philippines] DECISION OF THE 
PROFESSIONAL REGULATIONS COMMISSION[.]; (B) [The Board shall 
have the power] to administer oaths[,] TO NEW DENTISTS; (C) to 


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investigate violations of this Act or other laws and regulations within the 
jurisdiction of the Board, and for this purpose, it may, under the hand of 
its chairman and seal of the Board, issue a summons, subpoena or 
subpoena duces tecum to alleged violators of this Act and witnesses 
thereof, and thereby compel their attendance[.] [The Board shall also 
have the power to visit dental schools to determine whether the minimum 
requirements prescribed by law and/or the Council on Dental Education 
are complied with. The Board shall exercise the powers conferred upon it 
by this Act, shall from time to time] (D) TO look FROM TIME TO TIME 
into the conditions affecting the practice of dentistry in the Philippines 
[, and] (E) whenever necessary, TO adopt or recommend such 
measures, or discharge such duties, as may be deemed proper for the 
advancement of the profession[, the maintenance of accepted ethical and 
technical standards,] and the vigorous enforcement of this Act; AND (F) 
TO ACCREDIT AND REGULATE CENTERS OFFERRING REVIEW 
COURSES, STUDY CLUBS, REFRESHER COURSES, SEMINARS, 
WORKSHOPS AND CONTINUING EDUCATION PROGRAMS, NOT 
UNIVERSITY BASED EXCEPT PRC SPECIALTY ORGANIZATIONS.. 
SEC. 10. Rules and regulations. - The Board of [Dental 
Examiners] DENTISTRY, with the approval of the [Commissioner of Civil 
Service] 
PROFESS IO NAL 
REG U LATlO NS 
COMM I SS ION , 
shall 
promulgate, [and] adopt AND IMPLEMENT such rules and regulations 
[as may be necessary] to [implement or] carry out the provisions of this 
Act [, especially those relating to the proper conduct of the examinations, 
custody and correction of examination papers, registration of dentists, 
and enforcement of the Code of Ethics for dentists]. 
SEC. 11. Secretary of the Board. - The secretary of the 
PROFESSIONAL REGULATORY Board[s of Examiners] SHALL BE 
appointed BY THE COMMISSIONER OF THE PROFESSIONAL 


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REGULATIONS COMMISSION [in accordance with Section one of 
Republic Act Numbered Five hundred forty-six shall also be the secretary 
of the Board of Dental Examiners] SUBJECT TO THE PROVISIONS OF 
EXISTING LAWS. All records and minutes of the deliberations and 
proceedings of the Board, [including examination papers] and other 
confidential documents[,] shall be kept [by the Civil Service Commission] 
under the direct custody of the [secretary of the Board] PROFESSIONAL 
REGULATIONS COMMISSION. The secretary shall also keep a 
complete register of all persons to whom certificates of registration as 
dentist have been issued, indicating the name, sex, age, date and place 
of birth, post office address, the name of the school or university where 
the registrant graduated, date of graduation, and the date [when he 
passed] OF AND RATING IN the qualifying examinations. 
SEC. 12. Annual report. - 
The Board shall, within sixty days after 
the close of each fiscal year, prepare and submit an annual report to the 
[President 
of 
the 
Philippines] 
COMMISSIONER 
OF 
THE 
PROFESSIONAL REGULATIONS COMMISSION which shall include a 
detailed account of the proceedings of the Board during the year, an up- 
to-date register of dentists in the country, [indicating those in private 
practice and those in the government service,] and [embodying such] 
recommendation as the Board may desire to make. 
ARTICLE IV - Examination and Registration 
SEC. 13. Prerequisite to the practice of dentistry. - Unless 
specifically exempt and authorized by this Act, no person shall engage in 
the practice of dentistry in the Philippines without a certificate of 
registration as dentist issued to him by the Board of [Dental Examiners] 
DENTISTRY after 
successfully 
passing 
the 
required qualifying 
LICENSURE examination FOR DENTISTS. 


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SEC. 14. Definition of practice of dentistry. - 
A person shall be 
regarded as [engaged in the practice of] PRACTICING dentistry or 
rendering dental service, within the meaning and intent of this Act, who 
shall, for a fee, salary, compensation, or [any form of] reward, paid to him 
or through another, or even without such compensation or reward, 
perform any operation or part of an operation, upon the human mouth, 
jaws, teeth, and surrounding tissues; prescribe drugs or medicines for the 
treatment of oral diseases and lesions; or correct malpositions of the 
teeth: Provided, however, That this provision shall not apply to artisans or 
DENTAL technicians engaged in the mechanical construction of artificial 
dentures or fixtures and other oral devices, as long as none of such 
procedure is done inside the mouth of the patient; nor shall this provision 
apply to students of dentistry undergoing practical training in a legally 
constituted dental school or college under the direction or supervision of 
a member of the faculty who is duly licensed to practice dentistry in the 
Philippines: or to registered dental hygienists serving as [dentists'] 
DENTAL assistants who may be allowed to perform PREVENTIVE oral 
[prophylaxis and such other] HYGIENE procedures which the law 
regulating the practice of dental hygienists may permit; OR TO 
UNDERBOARD DENTAL GRADUATES WORKING AS 
DENTAL 
ASSISTANTS 
TO 
LICENSED 
AND 
REGISTERED 
DENTISTS 
AUTHORIZED TO PRACTICE DENTISTRY IN THE PHILIPPINES WHO 
ARE ENGAGED IN PRIVATE PRACTICE; PROVIDED, THAT THESE 
UNDERBOARD DENTAL GRADUATES WORK UNDER THEIR DIRECT 
S U P E RVI S IO N . 
SEC. 15. Exemption from registration. - Certificates of 
registration shall not be required of commissioned dental officers of the 
army, navy and air forces of any foreign country, whose operations in the 
Philippines are permitted by the Government, while rendering DENTAL 


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service as such for the members of said forces only; and of dentists or 
oral surgeons from other countries who are invited for consultations [or] 
AND demonstrations, provided that in such cases their work shall be 
limited to the specific tasks assigned to them [, and] provided further, that 
a [previous authority has been granted by the Board of Dental Examiners, 
who shall have the discretion to determine the duration of said authority] 
SPECIAL PERMIT HAS BEEN PREVIOUSLY GRANTED BY THE 
BOARD OF DENTISTRY STATING THEREIN THE DURATION OF 
SUCH PERMIT, but in no case shall it exceed the period of [thirty] 
FIFTEEN (15) days; PROVIDED, FURTHER, THAT THE PHILIPPINE 
DENTAL ASSOCIATION THROUGH ITS CONSTITUENT CHAPTER 
AND AFFILIATE SHALL MONITOR SUCH ACTIVITIES. 
SEC. 16. Frequency of examination. - 
Licensure examinations for 
candidates desiring to practice dentistry in the Philippines shall be 
conducted by the Board twice a year in Manila, the first examination to be 
held not earlier than two months nor later than three months after the 
termination of the school year, the second one to be held six months 
thereafter, subject to the approval of the [Commissioner of Civil Service] 
PROFESSIONAL REGULATIONS COMMISSION. The Board shall 
publish or cause to be published the daters] of examination, or any 
change thereof, at least ninety days before the scheduled examination. 
SEC. 17. Qualifications for admission to examination. - In order 
to be admitted to the licensure examination for dentists, an applicant 
must, at the time of filing his application [ therefor 1, establish to the 
satisfaction of the Board that: (a) he is a citizen of the Philippines; OR IF 
HE IS A CITIZEN OF ANY FOREIGN COUNTRY, THAT HE SATISFIES 
THE REQUIREMENT FOR RECIPROCITY AS CONTEMPLATED 
UNDER SECTION 38 OF THIS ACT, AS WELL AS THE PROVISIONS 
OF 
THE 
RECIPROCITY AGREEMENT 
BETWEEN 
THE 
TWO 


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by 
FOR 
a recognized and legally constituted university, college, school or 
insttute]; AND (D) IF HE HAD FAILED IN EITHER THE EXAMINATION 
DENTISTS FOR THREE TIMES, HE MUST TAKE A REFRESHER 
C O ~ R S E  FOR ONE YEAR JN A DENTAL SCHOOL OR COLLEGE 
AC 1 REDITED 
BY 
THE 
PROFESSIONAL 
REGULATIONS 
CO MISSION; PROVIDED, THAT SUCH APPLICANT MUST PRESENT 
A 1 
ERTlFlCATlON TO THIS EFFECT FROM THE DEAN OF THE 
OF DENTISTRY WHERE HE TOOK THE REFRESHER 
AND PROVIDED, FURTHER,THAT THIS GIVES THE 
t 
APPLICANT 
THE 
OPPORTUNITY 
FOR 
ANOTHER 
THREE 
EXAM1 NATIONS THEREAFTER. 
SEC. 18. Scope of examination, - 
The licensure examination for 
the practice of dentistry in the Philippines shall consist of both written and 
pe ormance tests, the scope of which shall be determined and 
pre cribed by the Board, taking into consideration the teaching plans and 
ed cational standards of the state and private dental colleges in the 
co ntry. It shall include such subjects as general anatomy, oral anatomy, 
general [histology, oral histology] AND MICROSCOPIC ANATOMY and 
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embryology, general pathology, [oral pathology,] general physiology, oral 
physiology, pharmacology, microbiology, [biochemistry,] oral diagnosis 
and treatment planning, oral surgery, [anesthesia] ANESTHESIOLOGY, 


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[dental] roentgenology, periodontics, endodontics, nutrition, dental 
materials, restorative dentistry, prosthodontics, orthodontics, [public 
health dentistry,] dental jurisprudence AND ETHICS, [dental economics, 
ethics,] PEDODONTICS, COMMUNITY REGISTRY 
and 
[private] 
PRACTICE management. It shall be the duty of the Board to prepare the 
schedule of subjects [in] ON the written TEST and THE EXERCISES IN 
THE performance tests and to publish the same as approved at least two 
months before the date of examination wherein they are to be used; 
PROVIDED, HOWEVER, THAT THE SUBJECTS AND EXERCISES 
FOR WHICH EACH BOARD MEMBER SHALL BE ASSIGNED 
RESPECTIVELY MUST BE IN ACCORDANCE WITH HIS FIELD OF 
PRACTICE AND SPECIALTY OR EXPERTISE AS DEEMED PROPER 
AND JUOlClOUS BY THE COMMISSION. 
SEC. 19. Report of ratings. - 
The Board of [ Dental Examiners ] 
DENTISTRY shall, within [one hundred] SIXTY (60) days after the last 
day of the examination, report the ratings obtained by each candidate to 
the 
Commissioner 
of 
[Civil 
Service] 
THE 
PROFESSIONAL 
REGULATIONS COMMISSION FOR APPROVAL AND RELEASE,; [who 
shall, with his recommendations, submit such results to the President of 
the Philippines for approval and release.]; PROVIDED, THAT FOR AS 
LONG AS THE LICENSURE EXAMINATIONS SHALL CONSIST OF 
BOTH WRITTEN AND PERFORMANCE TESTS, FOR THE PURPOSE 
OF RANKING THE SUCCESSFUL EXAMINEES IN THE LIST TO BE 
RELEASED FOR PUBLICATION, THE GRADES ON BOTH THE 
WRITTEN AND PERFORMANCE TESTS SHALL BE TAKEN ON THE 
AVERAGE; AND PROVIDED, FURTHER, THAT FOR PURPOSES OF 
PASSING AND/OR REPEATING SUBJECT/S FAILED IN, THIS SHALL 
BE IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE RULES AND REGULATIONS 
OF 
THE BOARD AS APPROVED BY THE COMMISSION. Failure on the 


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part of the Board to report the ratings within the specified time shall mean 
forfeiture of fifty percent of the compensation due the members of the 
Board in that particular examination. 
SEC. 20. Issuance of certificates. - Certificate of registration as 
dentist shall, upon the recommendation of the Board AND THE 
PROFESSIONAL REGULATIONS COMMISSION, be issued to any 
applicant [who,] after [the approval] of his ratings by the Commissioner of 
Civil Service and the President of the Philippines and the payment of the 
required registration fee[, has satisfactorily met all the requirements 
specified in this Act:] ; Provided, however, That no certificate of 
registration shall be issued to any applicant who has not reached the 
LEGAL age [of twenty-one years]. 
Every certificate of registration shall show the full name of the 
registrant, shall have a serial number, and must be signed by the 
chairman and members of the Board, AND the Commissioner of [Civil 
Service and the secretary of the Board] THE PROFESSIONAL 
REGULATIONS COMMISSION, and shall be authenticated by the official 
seal of the Board AND OF THE COMMISSION. The issuance by the 
Board of a certificate of registration to the registrant shall be evidence 
that the person named therein is entitled to all the rights and privileges of 
a registered dentist while said certificate remains unrevoked or 
unsuspended. 
SEC. 21. Fees for examination and registration. - 
Every applicant 
to the licensure examination for [dentists] DENTISTRY shall pay an 
examination fee [of sixty pesos] and a [fee of ten pesos for] registration 
FEE AS DETERMINED AND FIXED BY THE PROFESSIONAL 
REG U LATl ONS COMM ISS I ON. 
SEC. 22. Refusal to issue certificates for certain cause. - The 
Board of [Dental Examiners] DENTISTRY shall refuse to issue a 


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certificate of registration to any person convicted by a court of competent 
jurisdiction of any criminal offense involving moral turpitude OR OF ANY 
CRIMINAL OFFENSE PUNISHABLE BY IMPRISONMENT OF AT 
LEAST THREE (3) YEARS AND ONE DAY; [and] (B) TO ANY PERSON 
GUILTY OF IMMORAL OR HISHONORABLE CONDUCT; [or] (C) to any 
person of unsound mind[,]; or (D) TO those suffering from communicable 
or contagious disease. In the event of such refusal, the Board shall give 
the applicant a written statement setting forth the reasonk for its action, 
which statement shall be incorporated in the records of the Board. 
SEC. 23. Revocation and suspension of certificates. - 
The Board 
shall also have the power to RECOMMEND [revoke] TO NULLIFY or 
suspend the validity of the certificate of registration of a dentist for any of 
the causes mentioned in the preceding section, or for (A) unprofessional 
and unethical conduct[,]; (B) malpractice[,]; (C) incompetency, [or] serious 
ignorance [or] negligence in the practice of dentistry[,]; (D) willful 
destruction or mutilation of a natural tooth of a patient with a deliberate 
purpose of substituting the same by an unnecessary or unessential 
artificial tooth[,] (E) for making use of fraud, deceit or false statements to 
obtain a certificate of registration; (F) for [habitual use of intoxicating 
liquors or drugs,] ALCOHOLISM OR DRUG ADDICTION causing him to 
become incompetent to practice dentistry; (G) for the employment of 
persons who are not duly authorized to do the work which under this Act 
can only be done by persons who have certificates of registration to 
practice dentistry in the Philippines; (H) for the employment of deceit or 
any form of fraud with the public in general or some clients in particular 
for the purpose of extending his clientele; 
( I )  
for making false 
advertisements, 
publishing 
or 
circulating 
fraudulent 
or 
deceitful 
allegations regarding his professional attainment, skill or knowledge, or 
the methods of treatment employed by him[:]; OR (J) UTTER 


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DISREGARD AND CONTINUED VIOLATION OF ANY OF THE 
PROVISIONS OF THE REGULATORY CODE OF DENTAL PRACTICE 
IN THE PHILIPPINES; Provided, however, That the action of the Board 
in the exercise of this power shall be appealable [ only ] to the [ President 
of the Philippines whose decision in such cases shall be final ] 
PROFESSIONAL REGULATIONS COMMISSION. 
SEC. 24. Reissue of revoked certificate and replacement of lost 
one. - 
The Board may, after the expiration of five years from the date of 
revocation of a certificate of registration, for reasons it may deem 
sufficient, entertain any person whose certificate has been revoked, in the 
same manner as application for an original certificate, and in so doing it 
may in its discretion, exempt the applicant from the necessity of 
undergoing another examinatiou. A fee [of ten pesos shall] TO be 
charged for the previously revoked. A new certificate of registration to 
replace any certificate lost, destroyed or mutilated [may be] issued 
[subject to] IN ACCORDANCE WITH the rules of the Board [and a charge 
of five pesos] shall be [ made ] AS FIXED BY THE PROFESSIONAL 
REG U LATlO N S COMMISSION . 
ARTICLE V - The Council on Dental Education 
SEC. 25. Functions. - 
The Council on Dental Education shall be 
a policy-making body under the [Secretary of Education] CHAIRMAN OF 
THE COMMISSION ON HIGHER EDUCATION, charged with the 
responsibility of regulating and standardizing [dental] education in the 
country. To be effective in carrying out its objectives, the Council shall 
have the following functions: 
(a) to recommend the minimum 
requirements of the pre-dental course; (b) to recommend the minimum 
requirements of the regular dental course; (c) to determine and prescribe 
the minimum requirements for the physical plants and other facilities of 
schools or colleges of dentistry; (d) to [determine] RECOMMEND and 


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prescribe the minimum number and qualifications of the teaching 
personnel, including student-teacher ratio; (e) to require internship or any 
form of hospital training in a teaching hospital as a prerequisite to 
graduation in a dental college [, provided that no such requirement shall 
be made effective earlier than two years after the approval of this Act 1; (f) 
to inspect or visit schools or colleges in connection with the functions of 
the Council as herein provided; (G) TO MAKE RECOMMENDATIONS TO 
UPGRADE THE QUALITY OF THE DENTAL SCHOOLS WHICH DO 
NOT UPDATE THEIR FACILITIES AND THOSE WITH DISMAL 
FAILURES IN THE DENTAL BOARD LICENSURE EXAMINATION; and 
[(g)] (G) to adopt and enforce such rules and regulations as are 
necessary for the proper implementation of the objectives of the Council. 
SEC. 26. Composition. - 
The Council on Dental Education shall 
be composed of (A) the [Secretary ofJ CHAIRMAN OF THE 
COMMISSION 
ON 
HIGHER 
Education 
(CHED) 
OR 
HIS 
REPRESENTATIVE [, as chairman]; (6) the [ Undersecretary of 
Education, as vice-chairman; the Director of Public Schools, the ] 
chairman of the Board of [Dental Examiners,] DENTISTRY; (C) the 
President of the Philippine Dental Association or [any other bona fide 
national dental association,] HIS REPRESENTATIVE; (D) [ a dean- 
representative of private dental colleges, to be chosen by ] the 
PRESIDENT OF THE COUNCIL OF 
deans of [ said private ] 
ASSOCIATION 
OF 
PHILIPPINE 
dental 
colleges 
OR 
HIS 
REPRESENTATIVE[,]; and (E) the dean of the [ College of Dentistry, ] 
University of the Philippines, COLLEGE OF DENTISTRY OR HIS 
REPRESENTATIVE [as members]. [The chairman and members of the 
Council shall serve as such only during their incumbency in their 
respective positions.] 


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SEC. 27. Secretary of the Council. - The Council on Dental 
Education may designate [the] AN administrative officer or any 
subordinate official of the [Department of Education] CHED to serve as 
secretary of the Council, [and as such he] WHO shall keep a complete 
record of the proceedings, communications and deliberations of the 
Cou nci I. 
SEC. 28. Compensation. - The chairman, members, and 
secretary of the Council on Dental Education shall [not] be entitled to [any 
compensation] AN 
HONORARIUM AS 
DETERMINED BY 
THE 
CHAIRMAN OF THE COUNCIL [, except those authorized by their 
respective offices and such other expenses as are necessary in the 
performance of their official duties as herein provided]. 
THE SUM 
NECESSARY FOR THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THIS SECTION SHALL 
BE TAKEN FROM THE APPROPRIATIONS OF THE CHED. 
SEC. 29. Sessions. - 
The Council shall hold its regular session 
every month at such time and place to be designated by the chairman of 
the Council. Special sessions may be called by the chairman or upon 
[the] request or petition of a majority of the members of the Council. 
SEC. 30. Authority. - 
The Council is hereby authorized by this Act 
to determine, prescribe or modify the length of studies for the pre-dental 
and the regular dental course, provided that the preparatory course shall 
not be less than two years nor more than four years, and in the case of 
the regular course, it shall not be Jess than four years nor more than six 
years, AND IN THE CASE OF POSTGRADUATE COURSES, NOT LESS 
THAN ONE YEAR BUT NOT MORE THAN FOUR YEARS; PROVIDED, 
HOWEVER, THAT IN ALL ITS FUNCTIONS HEREIN PROVJDED THE 
COUNCIL SHALL ACT AS A BODY, OR, UPON A VOTE OF THE 
MAJORITY OF ITS MEMBERS. 


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ARTICLE VI - The Council for the Advancement of Dental 
Research 
SECTION 31. Functions. - 
The Council for the Advancement of 
Dental Research shall be a policy-making body, charged with the 
responsibility of promoting and developing dental research in the country. 
In order to carry out its objectives, the Council shall have the following 
functions; (a) To devise and work out a plan to establish a dental 
RESEARCH center [, with] FOR the promotion of [dental research as] its 
[principal] goal; (b) [To determine and recommend the raising of the 
necessary funds to finance this research project, either through the 
solicitation of funds from private sources or by direct government 
appropriation or financing] TO ASK CONGRESS TO ALLOCATE 
BUDGET FOR FUNDING THE CENTER AND ITS ADMINISTRATIVE 
STAFF; [(c) To enlist the aid or corporation of such government or private 
entities as may be necessary;] and [(d)] (C) To adopt and implement 
[such measures,] rules and regulations [as] THAT are necessary for the 
carrying out of the objectives of the Council. 
SEC. 32. Composition. - The Council for the Advancement of 
Dental Research shall be composed of (A) the [Chairman] SECRETARY 
of the [National Science Development Board] DEPARTMENT OF 
SCIENCE 
AND 
TECHNOLOGY 
(DOST), 
as 
chairman; 
(B) 
a 
representative of the Philippine Dental Association [or any other bona fide 
national dental association, a representative of the National Science 
Development Board,]; (C) a representative of the Board of [Dental 
Examiners] DENTISTRY [, and a representative of the Council on Dental 
Education,]; 
(D) 
A 
REPRESENTATIVE 
OF 
THE 
PHILIPPINE 
ASSOCIATION OF DENTAL COLLEGES; (E) THE DEAN OF THE 
COLLEGE OF DENTISTRY, UNIVERSITY OF THE PHILIPPINES, as 
members. [The Chairman and members of the Council shall be appointed 


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by the President of the Philippines with the consent of the Commission on 
Appointments for a term of five years, unless sooner terminated by the 
expiration of their tenure of office in their respective positions.] 
SEC. 33. Secretary of the Council. - The Council for the 
Advancement of Dental Research may designate any of its members to 
serve as secretary of the Council, and as such he shall keep a complete 
record of the proceedings, communications and deliberations of the 
Council. 
SEC. 34. Compensation. - The chairman, members and 
secretary of the Council for the Advancement of Dental Research shall 
[not] be entitled to [any compensation except those authorized by their 
respective offices and such other expenses as are necessary in the 
performance 
of 
their 
official 
duties 
as 
herein 
provided] 
AN 
HONORARIUM AS DETERMINED BY THE CHAIRMAN OF THE 
COUNCIL. THE SUM NECESSARY FOR THE IMPLEMENTATION OF 
THIS SECTION SHALL BE TAKEN FROM THE APPROPRIATIONS OF 
THE DOST. 
SEC. 35. Sessions. - The Council shall hold its regular session 
once every two months at such time and place to be designated by the 
[clchairman of the Council. Special sessions may be called by the 
chairman whenever necessary. 
ARTICLE VI1 - Penal and Miscellaneous Provisions 
SEC. 36. Penal Provisions. - (A) Any person who shall practice 
dentistry in the Philippines as defined in this Act, without a certificate of 
registration issued in accordance with the provisions of this Act OR WITH 
A REVOKED OR EXPIRED LICENSE, or has been declared exempt[,] or 
(B) ANY OF THOSE TO WHOM THE DEFINITION OF THE PRACTICE 
OF DENTISTRY DOES NOT APPLY, SUCH AS, ARTISANS OR 
DENTAL 
TECHNICIANS 
ENGAGED 
IN 
THE 
MECHANICAL 


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CONSTRUCTION OF ARTIFICIAL DENTURES OR FIXTURES AND 
OTHER 
ORAL 
DEVICES, 
OR 
STUDENTS 
OF 
DENTISTRY 
UNDERGOING PRACTICAL TRAINING, IF THEY LIKEWISE VIOLATE 
THE SAVING CLAUSE OF THE LAW, AND PERFORM ANY OF THE 
ACTS CONSTITUTING THE PRACTICE OF DENTISTRY AS DEFINED 
IN THIS LAW OUTSIDE OF THE CONFINES OF THE DENTAL 
SCHOOL, COLLEGE OR UNIVERSITY IN WHICH THEY ARE 
UNDERGOING 
SUCH 
PRACTICAL 
TRAINING 
UNDER 
THE 
DIRECTION OR SUPERVISION OF A MEMBER OF THE FACULTY 
WHO IS DULY LICENSED TO PRACTICE DENTISTRY IN THE 
PHILIPPINES, OR 
UNDERBOARD DENTAL GRANDUATES AS 
SPECIFIED BY SECTION 14 OF THIS ACT IF THEY DO NOT WORK 
UNDER THE DIRECT SUPERVISION OF A DULY LICENSED DENTIST 
AS PROVIDED HEREIN; (C) any person presenting or using as his own 
the certificate of registration of another[,] or (D) any person who shall give 
any false or forged evidence to the Board in obtaining a certificate of 
registration[,] or (E) any person who shall impersonate any registrant of 
like or different name[,] or (F) [any person who shall use a revoked or 
suspended certificate of registration, or] any person who shall assume, 
use or advertise as a bachelor of dental surgery, doctor of dental surgery, 
master of dental surgery, licentiate of dental surgery, doctor of dental 
medicine, or dental surgeon, or append to his name the letters D.D.S., 
B.D.S., [M.D.S.,] L.D.S., or D.M.D., without having been conferred such 
title or degree in a legally constituted schools, college or university, duly 
recognized and authorized to confer the same, or OTHER DEGREES; 
OR (G) ANY PERSON WHO SHALL advertise any title or description 
tending to convey the impression that he is a dentist, without holding a 
valid certificate of registration from the Board[,] or (H) any person who 
shall violate any provision of this Act, OR ANY RULE OR REGULATION 


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WITHIN THE AUTHORITY OF THE PROFESSIONAL REGULATIONS 
COMMISSION shall be guilty of [misdemeanor] A FELONY and [shall,] 
upon conviction, be sentenced to a fine of not less than [three] FIFTY 
thousand pesos (P50,OOO.OO) nor more than [five] TWO HUNDRED 
thousand pesos (P200,OOO.OO) or to suffer imprisonment for a period of 
not less than [one] TEN years AND ONE DAY nor more than [five] 
TWENTY (20) years, or both[, in the discretion of the court]. 
SEC. 37. Display of name and certificate of registration. - Every 
registered practicing dentist shall display in a conspicuous place in the 
[house] BUILDING or office where he practices, his name and surname 
and he shall further display his certificate of registration in his office in 
plain sight of patients [occupying] WHO ENTER [his] THE dental [chair] 
OFFICE OR DENTAL CLINIC. IN THE CASE WHERE THE DENTIST 
HAS MORE THAN ONE CLINIC, HE SHALL DISPLAY HIS ORIGINAL 
CERTIFICATE OF REGISTRATION IN HIS MAIN OFFICE OR CLINIC, 
AND SHALL DISPLAY A COPY OF HIS CERTIFIED ORIGINAL 
CERTIFICATE OF REGISTRATION IN THE OTHER BRANCH OR 
BRANCHES OF HIS PRACTICE. Any owner or proprietor of a dental 
office or establishment is also under obligation to display in conspicuous 
places in the office or establishment, [and to display] the certificates of 
registration of each and everyone of such persons in the same manner 
as hereinbefore provided. 
SEC. 38. Foreign Reciprocity. - Except in the case of persons 
otherwise exempt under the provisions of this Act, no dentist who is a 
citizen of a foreign country or a particular state shall be granted any of the 
rights or privileges under this Act, unless the country or state of which he 
is a subject or a citizen permits dentists who are Filipino citizens to 
practice within its territorial limits on the same basis as the subject or 
citizens of such country or state, but under no circumstance shall such a 


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set-up 
be initiated by the 
Philippine government; 
PROVIDED, 
HOWEVER, THAT SUCH FOREIGN DENTISTS SHALL BE LICENSED 
BY THE PROFESSIONAL REGULATIONS COMMISSION. 
SEC. 39. 
INTEGRATION OF THE REGULATORY CODE OF 
DENTAL PRACTICE. - THE REGULATORY CODE OF DENTAL 
PRACTICE IN THE PHILIPPINES, (BOARD RESOLUTION NO. 60, 
SERIES OF 1983, OF THE BOARD OF DENTISTRY) ADOPTED ON 
THE 2gTH DAY OF AUGUST, 1983, AND APPROVED ON THE 7TH DAY 
OF MARCH, 1984 IS HEREBY MADE AN INTEGRAL PART OF THIS 
LAW. 
SEC. E391 40. Enforcement of the Act by officers of the law. - It 
shall be the duty of all [duly constituted] officers of the law of the national, 
provincial, city, [or] municipal OR BARANGAY LEVEL OF THE 
government[s], to enforce the provisions of this Act and to prosecute any 
person violating the same, The Secretary of Justice shall act as the legal 
adviser of the Board of [Dental Examiners] DENTISTRY, the Council on 
Dental Education, and the Council for the Advancement of Dental 
Research and shall render such legal assistance as may be necessary in 
carrying out the provisions of this Act. 
SEC. [40] 41. Repeal of Laws in conflict with this Act. - 
All laws, 
or portions thereof, orders, ordinances, or rules and regulations in conflict 
with the provisions of this Act, as pertain to the practice of dentistry shall 
be, and are hereby repealed. 
SEC. E411 42. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect upon its 
a p p rov a I. ” 
SEC. 4. Separability Clause. If, for any reason, any section or provision 
of this Act is declared to be unlawful or unconstitutional, the other provisions of 
28 
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whichever comes earlier. 
7 
Approved, 
SEC. 5. Repeatability Clause. - All laws, decrees, executive orders, rules 
and regulations, or parts hereof inconsistent with the provision of this Act are 
hereby repealed, amended or modified accordingly. 
SEC. 6 This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication in 
the Official Gazette or in at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation