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RTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
First Regular Session 
INTRODUCED BY HON. MANUEL B. V1LLAE;WR. 
t b  
EXPLANATORYNOTE 
It is sad to note that amidst the advances in health and technology there 
are still some sectors of society that do not have access to oral and dental 
health care. In rural areas especially, with only one or two dentists taking care 
of the people's oral hygiene in barangay health centers, it just not enough. 
Consistent with the State policy to provide basic health services to the 
underprivileged, sick and elderly, this bill seeks to provide free dental services 
in rural areas. For this purpose, graduates of dental schools who have taken 
the licensure exam shall render free dental services, while waiting for their 
licenses. 
In view of the foregoing, passage of this bill is earnestly sought. 


THIRTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
First Regular Session 
SENATE 
h. / 
J 
r 
S. No. 
INTRODUCED BY HON. MANUEL B. VILLAR, JR. 
AN ACT 
REQUIRING ALL DENTISTS TO GIVE FREE DENTAL SERVICES IN RURAL 
AREAS, AMENDING FOR THE PURPOSE RA 4419 ALSO KNOWN AS THE 
PHILIPPINE DENTAL ACT OF 1965, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippine in Congress 
assembled: 
SECTION 1. Section 2, Article I1 of RA 4419 is hereby amended to read as 
follows: 
"SECTION 2. Objectives - This Act provides for: 
a. 
The regulation, control, and supervision of the practice of 
dentistry in the Philippines; 
b. 
The giving of licensure examinations to graduates of 
recognized dental schools for the purpose; 
c. 
The regulation and standardization of dental education; 
d. 
The promotion and development of dental research in the 
country; [and] 
e. 
THE CONDUCTING OF FREE DENTAL SERVICE IN RURAL 
GRADUATES, IN 
ADDITION 
TO 
SUCCESSFULLY 
PASSING THE LICENSURE EXAMINATION; AND, 
The stipulation of penalties for infractions or violations of 
this Act." 
AREAS AS ANOTHER PRE-REQUISITE FOR DENTISTRY 
f. 
SECTION 2. Section 9 is amended as follows: 
"SECTION 9. Powers Vested in Board. - The Board of Dental 
Examiners is vested with authority, conformably with the provisions of 
this Act, to issue, suspend or revoke certificates of registration for the 
practice of dentistry, or to reissue the same, subject to the approval of 
the President of the Philippines. The Board shall have the power to 
administer oaths, to investigate violations for this Act or other laws and 
regulations within the jurisdiction of the Board, and for this purpose, it 
may, under the hand of its chairman and seal of the Board, issue a 
summons, subpoena or subpoenu duces tecum to alleged violators of this 
Act and witnesses thereof, and thereby compel their attendance. The 
Board shall also have the power to visit dental schools to determine 
whether the minimum requirements prescribed by law and or the 
Council on Dental Education are complied with. THE BOARD SHALL 
OVERSEE THE IMPLEMENTATION OF FREE DENTAL SERVICE 
PROGRAM IN THE RURAL AREAS TO BE ADMINISTERED BY ALL 
GRADUATES OF DENTAL SCHOOLS WHO HAVE SUCCESSFULLY 
PASSED THE LICENSURE EXAMINATIONS. SUCH PROGRAM SHALL BE 
IMPLEMENTED PRIOR TO THE ISSUANCE OF THEIR LICENSE. The 
Board shall exercise the power conferred upon it by this Act, shall from 
time to time look into the conditions affecting the practice of dentistry in 
the Philippines, and whenever necessary, adopt or recommend such 


measures, or discharge such duties, as may be deemed proper for the 
advancement of the profession, the maintenance of accepted ethical and 
technical standards, and the vigorous enforcement of this Act.” 
SECTION 3. A new Section 13 is inserted to read as follow: 
“SECTION 13. FREE DENTAL SERVICE PROGRAM IN THE RURAL 
SUCCESSFULLY PASSED THE LICENSURE EXAMINATION, PRIOR TO 
THE ISSUANCE OF SAID LICENSE, SHALL BE REQUIRED TO RENDER 
FREE DENTAL SERVICE IN THE RURAL AREAS FOR THREE MONTHS. 
THE BOARD OF DENTAL EXAMINERS SHALL PROMULGATE THE 
NECESSARY RULES AND REGULATION TO IMPLEMENT SUCH 
PROGRAM, IN COORDINATION WITH THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH.” 
AREAS. - ALL GRADUATES OF DENTAL SCHOOLS WHO HAVE 
The succeeding provisions shall be re-numbered accordingly. 
SECTION 4. A new section 40 shall be inserted to read as follows: 
SERVICE PROGRAM IN THE RURAL AREAS. FOR THE PURPOSES OF 
IMPLEMENTATION, THE NECESSARY APPROPRIATION SHALL BE 
TAKEN FROM THE ANNUAL BUDGET OF THE DEPARTMENT OF 
HEALTH.” 
“SECTION 40. - APPROPRIATION FOR THE FREE DENTAL 
The succeeding provisions shall likewise be re-numbered accordingly. 
SECTION 5. All laws, rules, and regulations or parts thereof, inconsistent with 
the provisions of this Act are hereby repealed or modified accordingly. 
SECTION 6.. If any part, section or provision of this Act shall be held invalid or 
unconstitutional, no other part, section or provision thereof shall be affected thereby. 
SECTION 7. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication in 
the Official Gazette or in at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation. 
Approved,