Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

THIRTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

71

HOUSE BILL

Introduced by : REP, RAUL V. DEL MAR

EXPLANATORY NOTE

This Bill seeks to upgrade the total practice of the Dentistry profession to keep
pace with developments in the field and in allied disciplines and activities, particularly
the current focus on public health and safety which are also areas of concern of Dentistry
Profession.

The current practice of the Dentistry profession is regulated by a 1965 legislation
which the community of Dentistry feels has not fully addressed the varied aspects of the
practice of the profession and whose rules and regulations have yet to find full
implementation,

The passage of this proposed law will go along way in professionalizing the ranks
of the practitioners in the community and in giving the profession the public recognition
it deserves.

In this context, passage of the Bill is earnestly requested.

hr Penn


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

THIRTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

71

HOUSE BILL NO.

Introduced by : REP. RAUL V. DEL MAR

AN ACT

TO REGULATE THE PRACTICE OF DENTISTRY, DENTAL HYGIENE AND
DENTAL TECHNOLOGY IN THE PHILIPPINES, REPEALING FOR THE PURPOSE
REPUBLIC ACT NO. 4419, OTHERWISE KNOWN AS “AN ACT TO REGULATE THE
PRACTICE OF DENTISTRY IN THE PHILIPPINES, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES”,
AND REPUBLIC ACT NO. 768, OTHEWISE KNOWN AS “AN ACT TO REGULATE
THE PRACTICE OF DENTAL HYGIENISTS IN THE PHILIPPINES AND FOR
OTHER PURPOSES”, APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR.

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

ARTICLE I
‘TITLE, STATEMENT OF POLICY, OBJECTIVES,
AND SCOPE OF PRACTICE
SECTION 1. TITLE. - This Act shall be known as “The Philippine Dental Act of 2004”,
SEC. 2, STATEMENT OF POLICY. ~ That State recognizes the importance of dentist,
dental hygienists and dental technologists in nation-building. Hence, it shall develop and nurture
competent, productive, morally-upright, and well rounded dentists, dental hygienists and dental
technologists whose standards of professional practice and service shall be excellent, qualitative,
world-class and internationally recognized, globally competitive through regulatory measures,
programs and activities that foster their continuing professional development.
SEC, 3. OBJECTIVES. - This Act provides for:
(2) The regulation, control, and supervision of the practice of dentistry, dental hygiene
and dental technology in the Philippines;
(b) The giving of licensure examination to graduates of recognized dental schools of
dentistry, dental hygiene and dental technology for the purpose of registration;


(c) The accreditation of the various specialties of dentistry;

(@) The promotion and development of continuing dental education and research in the
country;

(€) The enforcement of the Code of Ethics and Code of Dental Practice in the Philippines;
and

(® The stipulation of penalties for infractions or violations of this Act or any other laws,
Tules and regulations authorized under the provisions of this Act.

SEC. 4, DEFINITION AND SCOPE OF PRACTICE,

(a) Dentist — a person who is a holder of a valid certificate of registration/professional
license and professional identification card in Dentistry and who renders dental service within
‘the meaning and intent of this Law who for a fee, salary, compensation or reward, paid to him or
through another, or even without such compensation or reward, performs any operation or part of
an operation, upon the human oral cavity, jaws, teeth and surrounding tissues; prescribes drugs
or medicines for the treatment of oral diseases or lesions, or prevents and/or corrects
malpositions of the teeth or implantation of artificial substitutes for lost teeth; and teaches
subjects in the licensure examination; or engages in dental research. Provided, however, that this
provision shall not apply to dental technologists engaged in the mechanical construction of
artificial dentures or fixtures or other oral devices, as long as none of such procedures 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 who may be allowed to perform preventive oral
hygiene procedures and other procedures or to underboard dental graduates working as dental
assistants to licensed and registered dentist authorized to practice dentistry in the Philippines
‘who are engaged in private practice. Provided, further, that these underboard dental graduates
work under their direct supervision.

(b) Dental Hygienist - a person who is a holder of a valid certificate of
registration/professional license and professional identification card and one who has undergone
two years course in dental hygiene from a government recognized school under a college of
dentistry and passing the prescribed board examination for dental hygienist, renders oral health
promotion and preventive measures, performs scaling and polishing, oral examination, taking
brief clinical history, taking radiograph, and giving oral health education to patients under the
supervision of a licensed dentist.


(©) Dental Technologist - a person who is a holder of a valid certificate of
registration/professional license and professional identification card and who renders technical
services such as mechanical construction of artificial denture and other oral devices, and one
who has finished in a two year certificate course in dental technology from any government
recognized school under the college of dentistry.

ARTICLE I
THE PROFESSIONAL REGULATORY BOARD OF
DENTISTRY

SEC. 5. COMPOSITION OF THE BOARD. —There is hereby created a Professional
Regulatory Board of Dentistry, hereinafter referred to as the Board, under the administrative
control and supervision of the Professional Regulation Commission, hereinafter referred to as the
Commission, composed of a Chairperson and four (4) members who shall be appointed by the
President of the Philippines form the recommendees chosen and ranked by the Commission from
a list of nominees submitted by the accredited professional organization.

SEC. 6 POWERS AND FUNCTIONS OF THE BOARD, —The Board shall have the
following powers and functions:

(a) Promulgate, administer and enforce rules and regulations necessary for carrying out
the provision of this Act;

(b) Administer oaths in connection with the administration of this Act;

(©) Study the conditions affecting the practice of dentistry, dental hygiene and dental
technology in the Philippines;

(d) Adopt or recommend such measures or discharge such duties, as may be deemed
proper for the advancement of the profession and the vigorous enforcement of this Act;

(e) Ensure, in coordination with the Commission on Higher Education (CHED),
Accredited Professional Organization, and Association of Dental Colleges, that all educational
institutions offering dentistry, dental hygiene, and dental technology comply with the policies,
standards and requirements of the course prescribed by CHED in the areas of curriculum,
faculty, library, and facilities;

(f) Supervise and regulate the registration, licensure and practice of Dentistry, Dental
Hygiene and Dental Technology in the Philippines;

(g) Adopt an official seal of the Board;

(h) Issue, reinstate, suspend or revoke the certificate of registration/professional license
and professional identification card or cancel special permits for the practice of dentistry, dental
hygiene and dental technology,


(i) Prescribe and/or adopt a Code of Ethics and a Code of Dental Practice for the practice
of dentistry, dental hygiene and dental technology;

Gj) Prescribe guidelines and criteria in the Continuing Professional Education (CPE)
program for dentistry, dental hygiene and dental technology:

(k) Hear or investigate any violation of this Act, its implementing rules and regulations,
and the code of ethics for dentists as shall come to the knowledge of the Board and for this
Purpose, issue a subpoena duces tecum to secure the appearance of witnesses and the production
of documents in connection therewith;

(1) Accredit various specialties, dental societies/organizations;

(m) Perform such other powers and functions as it may deem necessary to carry out the
objectives of this Act.

SEC. 7. QUALIFICATION OF THE CHAIRPERSON AND MEMBERS OF THE
BOARD. - The Chairperson and members of the Board shall, at the time of his/her appointment,
possess the following qualifications:

(a) be a natural-bomn citizen of the Philippines and a resident thereof,

(b) be a duly registered dentist in the Philippines with a valid certificate of
registration/professional license and professional identification card;

(c) be a member of good standing of the accredited professional organization for the last
five years, Provided, That no member of the Board may qualify to any position, elective or
appointive, in the accredited professional organizational during his/her incumbency as such;

(d) have at least ten (10) years of continuous experience as a Dentist and preferably with
three (3) years of teaching experience;

(©) not be a member of the faculty of any school, college, or university where
undergraduate and graduate courses in dentistry are taught and where dental hygiene and dental
technology courses and review courses are offered, nor shall have, directly or indirectly, any
pecuniary interest in such institution; and

(8) not be connected in any capacity with any business enterprise, firm or company in the
buying, selling or manufacture of dental goods, equipment, materials or supplies.

SEC. 8. TERM OF OFFICE. — The members of the Board shall serve for a term of five
(5) years after their appointment. The member serving the last year of his term shall
automatically become the Chairperson of the Board and shall not be able to succeed
himself/herself immediately after the expiration of his/her term of office so that term of one
member shall be due to expire every year: Provided, however, that all appointments as
Chairperson shall be approved by the President. Provided, further, that an appointment for any


existing vacancy or vacancies shall be made within one (1) month from the time the vacancy
‘occurred and shall be for the unexpired portion of the term only.

SEC. 9. COMPENSATION AND ALLOWANCES OF THE BOARD. ~ The
Chairperson and members of the Board shall receive compensation and allowances comparable
to that being received by the Chairman and members of existing regulatory boards under the
Commission as provided for in the General Appropriation Act.

SEC. 10. SUSPENSION AND REMOVAL FROM OFFICE, - Any member of the
Board may, upon the recommendation of the Commission after due process of law and
investigation conducted by the Commission, be suspended or removed by the President from
office for cause such as the examination, and unprofessional or dishonorable conduct.

SEC. 11. SUPERVISION OF THE BOARD. - The Secretary of the Board shall be
appointed by the Commission subject to the provisions of existing laws, and all records, and
minutes of the deliberation of proceedings of the Board and other confidential documents shall
be kept under the direct custody of the Commission. The Commission shall provide the
secretariat and other support services to implement the provisions of this Act.

SEC. 12, ANNUAL REPORT. - The Board shall, within sixty (60) days after the close
of each fiscal year, prepare and submit an annual report to the Commission, giving a detailed
account of the proceedings of the Board during the year, recommending measures to be adopted,
with the end in view of upgrading and improving the conditions affecting the practice of
Dentistry in the Philippines.

ARTICLE II
LICENSURE EXAMINATION AND REGISTRATION

SEC. 13. EXAMINATION REQUIRED. - All applicants for registration for the
practice of Dentistry, Dental Hygiene and Dental Technology shall be required to undergo a
licensure examination to be given by the Board in such places and dates as the Commission may
designate subject to the compliance with the requirements prescribed by the Commission.

SEC. 14. QUALIFICATION FOR ADMISSION TO THE LICENSURE
EXAMINATION. —

A. For Dentistry ~ An applicant for the licensure examination for dentists shall establish
to the satisfaction of the Board, that:

(a) he/she is a citizen of the Philippines, or if a foreigner, must prove that the country of
which he/she is a subject or citizen permits Filipino dentists to practice within its territorial
jurisdiction on the same basis as the subjects or citizens of such country;

(b) he/she has not been convicted of an offense involving moral turpitude;


(©) he/she is a graduate of a recognized and legally constituted university, college, school
or institute with a Degree of Doctor of Dental medicine or its equivalent.

B. For Dental Hygiene — In order to be admitted to the licensure examination for dental
hygienists, an applicant must at the time of filing his application thereof, establish to the
satisfaction of the Board, that:

(a) he/she is a citizen of the Philippine;

(b) he/she possesses good moral character;

(©) he/she had finished the two years certificate in dental hygiene conferred by a
recognized and legally constituted college, or school of dentistry.

C. For Dental Technology — In order to be admitted to the licensure examination for
dental technology, an applicant must, at the time of filing his/her application thereof, establish to
the satisfaction of the Board that:

(a) he/she is a citizen of the Philippines;

(b) he/she possesses good moral character,

(© he/she had finished the two years certificate in dental technology conferred by a
recognized and legally constituted college, or school of dentistry;

(d) he/she has undergone on-the-job training in a registered/accredited dental laboratory
for at least six (6) months.

SEC. 15. SCOPE OF EXAMINATION. — An examination shall be given to the
licensure applicants for dentists, dental hygienists, and dental technologists, which shall include,
but not limited to, the following:

(a) For Dentists - General anatomy, oral anatomy, general and microscopic anatomy and
embryology, general and oral physiology, general and oral pathology, pharmacology,
microbiology, nutrition, dental materials, restorative dentistry, prosthodontics, orthodontics,
pedodontics, pediatric dentistry, oral physiology, anesthesiology, oral diagnosis and treatment
planning, endodontics, periodontics, roentgenology, oral surgery, dental jurisprudence and
ethics, community dentistry and practice management.

(b) For Dental Hygienists - oral anatomy and physiology, dental materials,
periodontology, roentgenology, preventive dentistry, pedodontics, dental anesthesia and
pharmacology, pathology, and dental jurisprudence and ethics.

(c) For Dental Technologists — oral anatomy, oral physiology, complete, fixed and
removable prosthodontics, ceramics, orthodontic appliances, dental materials, dental
jurisprudence, and ethics.


‘The Board may recluster, rearrange, modify, add or exclude and prescribe subjects as the
need arises.

SEC. 16. RATINGS IN THE EXAMINATIONS. ~The licensure examination shall
consist of both written and practical tests and in order to pass the examination, an examinee must
obtain a general weighted average of at least seventy-five percent (70%), with no rating below
fifty percent (50%) in any subject.

SEC. 17. REPORT OF THE RESULTS OF THE EXAMINATIONS. ~ The Board
shall submit to the Commission the ratings obtained by each candidate within twenty (20) days
after the last day of examination unless extended for just cause.

SEC, 18, OATH, — All successful examinees and registrants without examination shall
be required to take a professional oath before any member of the Board or any other person
authorized by the Commission or by law before they start their practice.

SEC. 19. ISSUANCE OF THE CERTIFICATE OF REGISTRATION /
PROFESSIONAL LICENSE AND PROFESSIONAL IDENTIFICATION CARD. - A
certificate of registration/professional licenses shall be issued to examinees who pass the
licensure examination for dentistry subject to payment of fees prescribed by the Commission.
‘The certificate of registration/professionat license shall bear the signature of the chairperson of
the Commission and the chairperson and members of the Board stamped with the official seal of
the Board and the Commission, indicating that the person named therein is entitled to practice
the profession with all the benefits and privileges appurtenant thereto. The certificate of
registration/professional license shall remain in force and effect until revoked or suspended in
accordance with this Act.

A professional identification card bearing the registration number, date of issuance,
expiry date, duly signed by the chairperson of the Commission shall likewise be issued to every
registrant upon payment of the required fees. The professional identification card shall be
renewed every three (3) years and upon payment of fees and upon satisfying the requirements of
the Board.

SEC. 20, FEES FOR EXAMINATION AND REGISTRATION. — Every applicant to
the licensure examination for dentistry shall pay an examination fee and a registration fee as
determined and fixed by the Commission.

SEC. 21. REFUSAL TO ISSUE CERTIFICATES FOR CERTAIN CAUSES. - The
Board shall refuse to issue a certificate of registration to any successful examinee or to any
examinee registered without examination who has been convicted by a court of competent
jurisdiction of any criminal offense involving moral turpitude or has been found guilty of


immoral or dishonorable conduct after investigation by the Board, or has been declared to be of
‘unsound mind. The reason for the refusal shall be set forth in writing.

SEC. 22. REVOCATION OR SUSPENSION OF CERTIFICATEOF
REGISTRATION/PROFESSIONAL LICENSE AND PROFESSIONAL IDENTIFICATION
(CARD AND CANCELLATION OF TEMPORARY/SPECIAL PERMIT. — The Board shall
have the power to recommend the nullification or suspension of the validity of the certificate of
rogistration/professional license and professional identification card of a dentist, dental
technologist/dental hygienist or the cancellation of a temporary/special permit for any of the
causes mentioned in the preceding section, or for:

(a) unprofessional and unethical conduct,

(b) malpractice;

(©) incompetency, serious ignorance or negligence in the practice of dentistry, dental
hygiene, and dental technology;

(@ willful destruction or mutilation of a natural tooth of a patient with the deliberate
purpose of substituting the same by an unnecessary or unessential artificial tooth,

(© for making use of fraud, deceitful or false statement to obtain a certification of

(8) for alcohotism or drug addiction causing him/her to become incompetent to practice
dentistry, dental hygiene and dental technology;

(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, dental hygiene and dental technology in the Philippines;

(b) 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/her clientele;

(i) for making false advertisements, publishing or circulating fraudulent or deceitful
allegations regarding his/her professional attainment, skill or knowledge, or methods of
treatment employed by him;

(utter disregard and continue violation of any of the provisions of this Act: Provided,
that the action of the Board in the exercise of this power shall be appealable to the Commission.

SEC. 23. REINSTATEMENT, REISSUANCE OR REPLACEMENT OF
CERTIFICATE OF REGISTRATION/PROFESSIONAL LICENSE AND PROFESSIONAL
IDENTIFICATION CARD, — Two (2) years after the date of revocation, the Board may, upon.
application and for reasons deemed proper and sufficient, reinstate any revoked certificate of



registration/professional license and reissue a professional identification card, in so doing, may,
in its discretion, exempt the applicant from taking another examination.

SEC. 24, ISSUANCE OF SPECIAL/TEMPORARY PERMIT TO FOREIGNERS. —
Certificates of Registration shall not be required of: (1) commissioned dental officers of the
army, navy and air force of any foreign country whose operations in the Philippines are
Permitted by the government while rendering dental service as such for the members of said
forces only, (2) of dentist and oral surgeons from other countries who are invited for
consultation, demonstrations, medical missions or under an exchange visitor program as a
member of a teaching faculty. Provided, that in such cases their work shall be limited to the
specific task assigned to them, and Provided, further, that a special permit has been previously
granted by the Board and the Commission stating therein the duration of such permit, Provided
furthermore, that the Board may designate the accredited professional organization, through its
constituent chapters and affiliates, to monitor such activities.

ARTICLE IV
PRACTICE OF DENTISTRY, DENTAL HYGIENE
AND DENTAL TECHNOLOGY

SEC. 25. CODE OF ETHICS AND CODE OF DENTAL PRACTICE FOR
DENTISTS. - The Board shall adopt and promulgate the Code of Ethics and Code of Dental
Practice of dentists, dental hygienists and dental technologists prescribed and issued by the
accredited professional organization of dentists.

SEC. 26. VESTED RIGHTS. — All dentists and dental hygienists registered at the time
this law takes effect shall automatically be registered under the provisions hereof, subject
however to the provisions herein set forth as to future requirements. Certificates of
registration/professional license held by such persons in good standing shall have the same force
and effect as though issued after the passage of this Act.

SEC. 27. REGISTRATION WITHOUT EXAMINATION FOR DENTAL
HYGIENISTS AND DENTAL TECHNOLOGISTS. — A person who possesses the equivalent
qualifications required for admission in the examination for dental hygienist or dental
technologist pursuant to this Act, may be registered without examination. Provided, that the
applicant files with the Board within three years after the effectivity of this Act, an application
for registration and issuance of a certificate of registration/professional license and professional
identification card, by submitting credentials showing that the applicant, before the effectivity of
this Act:


(@) had been given a certificate in dental hygiene or dental technology by a duly
recognized college, school or institution and had at least three (3) years actual experience as
dental hygienist or dental technologist in an accredited or licensed dental clinic or laboratory, or

(b) had been practicing as a dental hygienist or dental technologist for at least five (5)
years in a licensed dental laboratory or clinic under the supervision of a dentist and had attended
a training course given by an accredited school or institution.

SEC. 28. DISPLAY OF NAME AND CERTIFICATE OF REGISTRATION. — Every
registered practicing dentist, dental hygienist and dental technologist shall display in a
conspicuous place in the building or office where he/she practices, his/her name and his/her
certificate or registration in plain sight of patients who enter the dental office, or dental clinic or
dental laboratory. In the case where the dentist has more than one clinic, the original certificate
of registration should be displayed in his/her main office or clinic, and he/she shall display a
copy of his/her certified original certificate of registration in the other branch or branches of
his/her practice. Any owner or proprietor of a dental office or establishment shall display the
certificates of registration of each and everyone of such persons in the same manner as
hereinafter provided.

SEC. 29, INTEGRATION OF DENTISTS, DENTAL HYGIENISTS AND DETNAL
TECHNOLOGISTS. ~ Ali registered dentists, dental hygienists and dental technologist shall be
integrated into one (1) national organization which shall be recognized by the Board and
accredited by the Commission as the one and only accredited integrated association to which all
dentists, dental hygienists and dental technologists shall belong, Henceforth, all dentists, dental
hygienists and dental technologists to be registered with the Board shall automatically become a
member of the accredited integrated professional organization upon payment of required fees and
dues. Membership in the accredited and integrated organization shall not be a bar to membership
in other associations of dentists, dental hygienists and dental technologists.

SEC. 30, FOREIGN RECIPROCITY. - No foreigner shall be admitted to the
examination and be given a certificate of registration/professional license to practice as a dentist
and be entitled to any of the privileges under this Act unless the country of which he/she is a
subject or citizen specifically permits Filipino dentists to practice within its territorial limits on
the same basis as the subject or citizens of such foreign state or country under reciprocity and
under intemational agreements.

SEC. 31. ROSTER OF DENTISTS, DENTAL HYGIENISTS AND DENTAL
TECHNOLOGISTS. — The Board, in coordination with the accredited professional organization,
shall maintain a roster of the name, residence and of the addresses of all registered dentists,

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dental hygienists and dental technologists and shall make this roster available to the public upon
request.
ARTICLE V
PENAL PROVISION AND ENFORCEMENT OF THE ACT

SEC. 32. PENAL PROVISION. - The following, shall be punished by a fine of not less
than Two Hundred Thousand Pesos (P200,000.00) nor more than Five Hundred Thousand Pesos
(P500,000.00) or to suffer imprisonment for a period of not less than ten (10) years and one day
nor more than twenty years, or both, in the discretion of the court:

(@) Any person who shall practice dentistry, dental hygiene or dental technology in the
Philippines as defined in this Act, without a certificate of registration issued in accordance with
the provisions of this Act, or has been declared exempt,

(b) Any of those who practice the profession to whom the definition of the practice of
dentistry, dental hygiene or dental technology does not apply;

(©) Any licensed dentist who shall abet the illegal practice of dentistry;

(@) Any person presenting or using as his/her own the certificate of registration of
another,

(©) Any person who shall give any false or forged evidence to the Board in obtaining a
certificate of registration;

(® Any person who shall impersonate any registrant of like or different name;

(g) Any person who shall use a revoked or suspended certificate of registration;

(h) 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., L.D.S., or DM.D.
without having been conferred such title or degree in a legally constituted school, college or
university, duly recognized and authorized to confer the same or other degrees;

(@ Any person who advertise any title or description tending to convey the impression
that he/she is a dentist, without holding valid certificates of registration from the Board;

SEC. 31. ENFORCEMENT OF THIS ACT. ~ It shall be the duty of all constituted
officers of the law of the national, provincial, city, municipal or barangay level of the
government, to enforce the provisions of this Act as well as the rules and regulations pertinent
thereto, and to prosecute any person violating the same. The Secretary of Justice shall act as the
legal adviser of the Board of Dentistry and shall render such legal assistance as may be necessary
in carrying out the provisions of this Act.


ARTICLE VI
MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS

SEC. 32, FUNDING PROVISION. - The Chairman of the Professional Regulation
Commission shall immediately include in the Commission’s programs the implementation of this
Act, the funding of which shall be included in the Annual General Appropriations Act.

SEC. 33, TRANSITORY PROVISION. ~ The existing Board of Dentistry shall continue
to function in the interim until such time that the new Professional Regulatory Board of Dentistry
shall be constituted pursuant to this Act.

SEC. 34, IMPLEMENTING RULES AND REGULATIONS. - The Board, in
coordination with the accredited professional organization and with the approval of the
Commission, shall promulgate, adopt and implement such rules and regulations to carry out the
provisions of this Act.

SEC. 35, SEPARABILITY CLAUSE. — if any section or provision of this Act shall be
declared invalid or unconstitutional, such shall not invalidate any other section or provision of
this Act.

SEC. 36. REPEALING CLAUSE. ~ Republic Act No. 4419 and Republic Act No. 768,
are hereby repealed. All other 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. 37, EFFECTIVITY. ~ This Act shall take effect following its publication in the
Official Gazette or in any newspaper of general circulation.

Approved,

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