SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE ) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
)
Second Regular Session 
)
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'17 
AUG 29 
All 56
SENATE
s.B. no.1569
RECEIVlO IT'.
Introduced by Senator SONNY ANGARA
AN ACT
CREATING A DENTAL UNIT IN EVERY RURAL HEALTH UNIT UNDER THE 
DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AS PART OF THE PRIMARY APPROACH IN THE 
DELIVERY OF HEALTH SERVICES AND PROVIDING FUNDS THEREFOR
EXPLANATORY NOTE
The Constitution mandates the State to protect and promote the right to health of 
the people (Article II, Section 15) and to undertake appropriate health human 
resource development responsive to the country's needs and problems (Articles XIII, 
Section 12).
At the 1978 international Alma Ata Conference held in the then USSR, the 
Philippines joined several other countries in signing a declaration calling on all 
governments to “formulate national policies, strategies, and plans of actions to 
launch and sustain primary health care as part of a comprehensive national health 
system and in coordination with other sectors.” This was the country’s formal 
declaration that it would adopt a "Primary Health Care” approach.
Nearly four decades have passed since the country signed the declaration, and 
through the years the Philippines’ Primary Health Care system has grown and has 
made some modest gains. Several gaps however remain, including the lack of an 
institutional means of promoting and ensuring the dental health of every Filipino.
Almost entire communities in the country suffer from two of the most prevalent of 
dental diseases: Tooth decay and gum diseases. 92% of Filipino are suffering from 
dental caries—tooth decay or cavities—while 78% have gum diseases. A 2015 
study1 even suggested that the Philippines has the highest number of people 
wearing dentures in Asia.
The magnitude of the dental problem is reflected in its ranking as one of the 
highest in the country’s morbidity picture. In economic terms, every tooth affected
http://news.abs-cbn.com/lifestyle/05/29/15/how-ph-ranks-dental-health


means the loss of productivity of two days, lost opportunities, recurring pain and 
severe discomfort as well as increased cost of dental treatments.
The proposed bill aims to reverse this unfortunate situation by creating a dental 
unit in each of the rural health units (RHUs) listed under the Department of Health as 
part of the country’s overall Primary Health Care strategy.
By ensuring that each RHU under the DOH has at least one dentist serving, the 
priority targets of dental health services—pre-school children, school children, 
pregnant and non-pregnant mothers and adults—will be adequately served. It will 
cost more in their services, but the benefits to be derived would more than 
compensate for the cost.
In view of the foregoing, the swift passage of the bill is earnestly sought.
SONNY ANGARA


SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE ) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
)
Second Regular Session 
)
SENATE
S.B. No. 15 G 9
© frc f ol tlif ^
’17 
AUG 29 
All 56
RECEI'/lD D
Introduced by Senator SONNY ANGARA
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AN ACT
CREATING A DENTAL UNIT IN EVERY RURAL HEALTH UNIT UNDER THE 
DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AS PART OF THE PRIMARY APPROACH IN THE 
DELIVERY OF HEALTH SERVICES AND PROVIDING FUNDS THEREFOR
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in 
Congress assembled:
SECTION 1. Declaration of Policy. -  It is the policy of the State:
a) To pursue the Primary Health Care Approach in the delivery of health 
services and to undertake the appropriate health human resource 
development for this policy; and
b) To promote preventive dental healthcare in the rural areas as part of the 
Primary Health Care strategy.
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SEC. 2. Definition of Terms. -
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a) “ Rural Health Unit” - also known as Main Health Center. It is composed
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of a doctor, a nurse and a midwife. Its function is to carry out the public
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health functions of the Department of Health which includes both
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preventive and curative health care.
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b) “ Dental Unit” - composed of a public health dentist and a trained
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Barangay Health Worker as a dental aide.


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SEC. 3. Creation of Dental Unit. -  As part of the Primary Health Care Approach,
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there is hereby created a dental unit in every rural health unit under the supervision
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of the Department of Health.
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SEC. 4. Rules and Regulations. -  The Department of Health shall issue rules
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and regulations for the effective implementation of this Act.
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SEC. 5. Funding. -  The amount necessary for the initial implementation of this 
Act shall be funded from the current fiscal year’s appropriation for the Department of 
Health. Thereafter, such amount as may be necessary for the implementation of this 
Act shall be included in the annual General Appropriations Act.
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SEC. 6. Effectivity. -  This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after publication
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in the Official Gazette and in any newspaper of general circulation.
Approved,