Republic of the Philippines 
House of Representatives 
Quezon City, Metro Manila 
NINETEENTH CONGRESS 
First Regular Session 
House Bill No. _______ 
INTRODUCED BY REP. PM VARGAS 
AN ACT 
UPGRADING THE SALARY SCALES OR LEVELS OF PUBLIC DENTISTS, 
PROVIDING FUNDS THEREFOR, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
Dental health experts often say that the mouth is the gateway to our 
overall health. Taking care of our dental health can protect our bodies from a 
variety of health problems. However, the people’s awareness on the 
importance of dental health care and services remain low, in part due to the 
scarcity of dentists working in the public sector. 
The country’s dentists-to-patients ratio is currently at 1:50,000, and 
only very few licensed dentists intend to work in the government due to its 
meager salary and benefits compared to private dental practitioners. 
To encourage more dentists to render public service in government and 
mainstream the importance of dental health care and services, this bill seeks 
to upgrade the salary grades of all public dentists in recognition of their 
essential role in maintaining and promoting the oral health of the people. 
In view of the foregoing, the immediate passage of this bill is earnestly 
sought. 
REP. PM VARGAS  
Fifth District, Quezon City 
August 18, 2022
8:01 am
3776


Republic of the Philippines 
House of Representatives 
Quezon City, Metro Manila 
NINETEENTH CONGRESS 
First Regular Session 
House Bill No. _______ 
INTRODUCED BY REP. PM VARGAS 
AN ACT 
UPGRADING THE SALARY SCALES OR LEVELS OF PUBLIC DENTISTS, 
PROVIDING FUNDS THEREFOR, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES 
Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representative of the Philippines 
in Congress assembled: 
SECTION 1. Short Title. - This Act shall be known as the “Salary Increase 
for Public Dentists Act”. 
SECTION 2. Declaration of Policy. — Article Il, Section 15 of the 1987 
Constitution provides that “[the State shall protect and promote the right to 
health of the people and instill health consciousness among them.” Under 
Section 2 of Republic Act 7305 or the Magna Carta of Public Health Workers, 
it is the declared policy of the State to “instill health consciousness among 
our people to effectively carry out the health programs and projects to the 
government essential for the growth and health of the nation.”1 Towards this 
end, the Magna Carta of Public Health Workers aims to, among others, 
“promote and improve the social and economic well-being of the health 
workers, their living and working conditions and terms of employment.”2 
Pursuant to these, it is hereby declared the policy of the State to recognize the 
important role played by government dentists in maintaining and promoting 
the oral health of the people. Thus, the government must ensure that these 
government dentists are properly compensated and their working and living 
conditions continuously improved.  
1 Section 2, Republic Act 7305, Magna Carta of Public Health Workers, 26 March 1992. 
2 NMEDs. 2011. 
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SECTION 3. Coverage. — This Act shall cover all dentists, regardless of 
employment status, in all public health institutions, whether nationally or 
locally funded, as well as those assigned in or working for national 
government agencies (NGAs) including state universities and colleges (SUCs), 
government owned and controlled corporations (GOCCs) and local 
government units (LGUs). 
SECTION 4. Upgraded Salary Scales or Levels. — The following salary 
scales or levels of Dentist position in the government are hereby upgraded 
upon the effectivity of this Act:  
Position Title 
Old Salary Grade New Salary Grade 
Dentist I 
13 
17 
Dentist II 
16 
20 
Dentist III 
19 
23 
Dentist IV 
22 
25 
Dentist V 
24 
27 
Dentist VI 
26 
29 
Dentist VII 
28 
30 
SECTION 5. Appropriation. — The Government shall appropriate such 
amount as may be necessary to carry out the objectives of this Act. Initial 
funds required for the implementation of this Act shall be sourced from the 
savings of the Executive Branch of the government and other possible sources 
that may be determined by the Office of the President. The subsequent funds 
needed shall be included in the General Appropriations Act for the year 
following the implementation of this Act.  
SECTION 6. Implementing Rules and Regulations. — Within sixty (60) 
days from the promulgation of this Act, the necessary rules and regulations 
for the proper implementation of its provisions shall be formulated by the 
appropriate government office or agency in coordination with all the 
stakeholders and covered establishments and institutions.  
SECTION 7. Repealing Clause. — All laws, executive orders, administrative 
orders, rules, regulations, decrees, and other issuances or parts thereof, 
which are inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are hereby revoked, 
repealed, or modified accordingly.  
SECTION 8. Separability Clause. — If any provision of this Act is held 
unconstitutional or invalid, the other provisions not affected thereby shall 
continue in operation and remain in full force and effect.  


SECTION 9. Effectivity Clause. — This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days 
after its publication in the Official Gazette or in the two (2) national 
newspapers of general circulation.  
Approved,