REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

House Bill No. 5467

Introduced by MAGDALO Party-List Representative
HON. GARY C. ALEJANO.

EXPLANATORY NOTE

Many of the dental diseases are considered as public health problems in developing countries.
In the Philippines, such problems, exacerbated by the lack of proper dental health practices of
the general population, have become serious national concerns.

‘The ubiquitous effects of the magnitude of the dental problem can be translated in economic
terms. Every tooth affected means two (2) days loss of productivity, lost opportunities,
recurring pain and severe discomfort as well as increased cost of dental treatments.

This bill seeks to create a position of rural dentist in every rural health unit to avert the loss in
economic productivity of our people and to alleviate the discomfort felt by those afflicted
with such diseases. Considering that there are six hundred fifty-two (652) rural health dentists
in the plantilla of the Department of Health distributed in the twelve (12) regions, the creation
of one (1) dentist position in each of the 1,991 rural health units under the Department of
Health, the priority targets of dental health services - pre-school children, school children,
pregnant and non-pregnant mothers and other adults - will be adequately served."

While it will cost an additional P35 million a year in terms of personal services, the benefits
to be derived from these services will be tremendous. An addition of 8,034,000 children,
mothers and adults can be properly attended to?

With these positions, the ratio of dentist to the population will approach the standard ratio of
1:20,000 population, similar to that of physicians.

In view of the foregoing, the passage of this bill is earnestly sought.
5

:ARWC. ALEJANO

Representafve, Magdalo Para sa Pilipino Party-List

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2 Ibid.


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REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

House Bitt No, 9467

Introduced by MAGDALO Party-List Representative
HON. GARY C. ALEJANO

AN ACT
CREATING A POSITION OF RURAL DENTIST IN EVERY RURAL HEALTH
UNIT UNDER THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS
THEREFOR

Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Philippines in
Congress assembled:

SECTION 1. There is hereby created a position of rural dentist in every rural health
unit under the supervision of the Department of Health.

SEC. 2. The Department of Health shall issue rules and regulations for the effective
implementation of this Act.

SEC. 3. The amount necessary for the effective implementation of this Act shall be
funded out of the appropriations of the Department of Health under Republic Act Numbered
Sixty-Six Hundred Forty-Two. Thereafter, such amounts as may be necessary for the
continued implementation of this Act shall be included in the annual General Appropriations
Act.

SEC. 4. This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication in at least two

(2) newspapers of general circulation

Approved,