NINETEENTH CONGRESS OF THE ) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
)
First Regular Session 
)
SENATE
s. No. 2092
Sir, S^cnatr
of tlj? &:: . t'tfi n>
23 APR 25 PI 53
RHCEiVED BV
Introduced by Senator MARK A. VILLAR
AN ACT
CREATING A DENTAL SERVICE IN EVERY CITY OR MUNICIPAL HEALTH 
UNIT AS PART OF THE PRIMARY HEALTH CARE APPROACH IN THE 
DELIVERY OF HEALTHCARE SERVICES, AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS 
THEREFOR
EXPLANATORY NOTE
Article 13 Section 11 of the Constitution provides that, "The State shall adopt 
an integrated and comprehensive approach to health development which shall 
endeavor to make essential goods, health and other social services available to all the 
people at affordable cost, xxx"
Good oral/dental health translates to general health. Nourishment begins In the 
oral cavity; thus, oral health is recognized as an Integral and indivisible component of 
Filipino's total health.1 However, It Is frequently ranked last in an individual's priorities. 
In the Philippines, there Is a high prevalence of oral health problems across all age 
groups.
Some governments have lauded primary health care (PHC) as the only viable 
way to provide any type of health care to rising populations In weak economies.2 The
1 National Policy on Oral Health, Department of Health Administrative Order 101, s. 2003 as cited in 
https;//actamedicaphilippina.upm.edu.ph/index.php/acta/article/download/2590/1885/
2 Phillips, D. R. (1986), Primary health care in the Philippines: banking on the barangays? Social Science & 
Medicine (1982), 23(10), 1105-1117. https://doi.org/10.1016/0277-9536(86)90269-8


PHC is the most efficient and successful means to attain health for all since it is focused 
on how to deliver health care services to everyone, everywhere.
Thus, the establishment of a dental service in every city or municipal health 
unit as part of the primary health care approach strengthens the state's capacity to 
provide quality and accessible oral health care services, and it ensures the equitable 
delivery of basic oral health care services to the people and the community.
For this purpose, the approval of this bill is earnestly sought.
MARK A. VILLAR


NINETEENTH CONGRESS OF THE ) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
)
First Regular Session 
)
ot UK a
23 APR 25 PI 53
SENATE
s. No. 2092
RHCEiVrD B\
Introduced by Senator MARK A. VILLAR
AN ACT
CREATING A DENTAL SERVICE IN EVERY CITY OR MUNICIPAL HEALTH 
UNIT AS PART OF THE PRIMARY HEALTH CARE APPROACH IN THE 
DELIVERY OF HEALTHCARE SERVICES, AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS 
THEREFOR
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Phiiippines in 
Congress assembled:
1 
Section 1. Declaration of Policy. - It is the policy of the State to pursue the
2 
Primary Healthcare Approach in the delivery of health services and to undertake the
3 
appropriate health human resources development for this policy as well as to promote
4 
preventive dental healthcare.
5 
Sec. 2. Creation of Dental Service. - As part of the Primary Health Care
6 
Approach, there is hereby created a dental service in every city or municipal health
7 
unit, under the supervision of the Department of Health (DOH).
8 
Sec. 3. Implementing Rules and Regulations. - Within sixty (60) days from the
9 
efFectivity of this Act, the Department of Health (DOH) shall promulgate the
10 
Implementing rules and regulations for the proper Implementation of this Act.
11 
Sec. 4. Appropriations. - The amount necessary for the Initial implementation
12 
of this Act shall be funded from the current fiscal year's appropriation for the
13 
Department of Health. Thereafter, such amount as may be necessary for the
14 
implementation of this Act shall be included in the annual General Appropriations Act.


1 
Sec. 5. Effectivity. — This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its
2 
publication In the Official Gazette or in at least two (2) newspapers of general
3 
circulation.
4 
Approved,