Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City 
EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS 
Third Regular Session 
HOUSE BILL NO. _______ 
Introduced by HON. JOY MYRA R. SALVADOR-TAMBUNTING 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
“In the Philippines, toothache is a common ailment among school children, and is the primary 
cause of absenteeism from school. (Araojo 2003, 103-110) Indeed, dental and oral diseases 
create a silent epidemic, placing a heavy burden on Filipino schoolchildren.”1 The National Oral 
Health Survey (NOHS) in 2006 emphasized that those who suffer gum diseases, gingivitis and 
periodontal diseases in their childhood if left untreated and checked by experts may lead to 
incurable diseases as they reach adulthood.  
We must accept the reality that rural areas are hard to reach locations in delivering government 
services thus this bill in creating a rural health unit (RHU) with a specialized dental unit will give 
the communities their deserved professional health amenities. The provision of a doctor, nurse 
and a midwife will create an easier access to health care services to those living in far-flung areas 
and will no longer require them to travel so much to the main city of their province. 
This proposed legislation seeks to prevent and cure the prevalence of oral diseases such as the 
common complaints of dental caries or cavities and periodontal disease. 
On behalf of the people of Parañaque City’s Second District, and for the common good of the 
Filipino people, the approval of the said measure is earnestly sought. 
JOY MYRA R. SALVADOR-TAMBUNTING 
2nd District, Parañaque City 
1 https://doh.gov.ph/dental-health-program 
October 15, 2021
11:05 pm
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Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City 
EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS 
Third Regular Session 
HOUSE BILL NO. _______ 
Introduced by HON. JOY MYRA R. SALVADOR-TAMBUNTING 
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.
Sec. 2. Definition of Terms. – As used in this Act, the following terms shall mean: 
a) Rural Health Unit (also known as Main Health Center) shall be composed of a doctor, a
nurse and a midwife. Its function is to carry out the public health functions of the
Department of Health which includes both preventive and curative health care.
b) Dental Unit shall be composed of a public health dentist and a trained Barangay Health
Worker as a dental aide.
Sec. 3. Creation of Dental Unit. – As part of the Primary Health Care Approach, there is hereby 
created a dental unit in every rural health unit under the supervision of the Department of Health. 
Sec. 4. Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR). – Within ninety (90) days from the 
approval of this Act, the Department of Health shall promulgate the rules and regulations 
necessary for the effective implementation of this Act.  
Sec. 5. Funding. – The amount necessary for the purpose of this Act shall be funded from the 
current fiscal year's appropriation for the Department of Health (DOH). 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 its publication in the Official 
Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation. 
 
Approved,