NINETEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
First Regular Session
SENATE
s. B. No. 636
Pi gicnaif
o( tiH’
*22 JUL 14 P3 '42
Rl-CEIVED BV;
Introduced by Senator SONNY ANGARA
AN ACT
CREATING A DENTAL UNIT IN EVERY RURAL HEALTH UNIT UNDER THE 
DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AS PART OF THE PRIMARY APPROACH IN THE 
DELIVERY OF HEALTH SERVICES AND PROVIDING FUNDS THEREFOR
EXPLANATORY NOTE
The Constitution mandates the State to protect and promote the right to 
health of the people (Article II, Section 15) and to undertake appropriate health 
human resource development responsive to the country's needs and problems 
(Articles XIII, Section 12).
At the 1978 international Alma Ata Conference held in the then USSR, the 
Philippines joined several other countries in signing a declaration calling on all 
governments to "formulate national policies, strategies, and plans of actions to 
launch and sustain primary health care as part of a comprehensive national health 
system and in coordination with other sectors." This was the country's formal 
declaration that it would adopt a "Primary Health Care" approach.
Nearly four decades have passed since the country signed the declaration, 
and through the years the Philippines' Primary Health Care system has grown and 
has made some modest gains. Several gaps however remain, including the lack of 
an institutional means of promoting and ensuring the dental health of every Filipino.
Almost entire communities in the country suffer from two of the most 
prevalent of dental diseases: Tooth decay and gum diseases. 92% of Filipino are 
suffering from dental caries—tooth decay or cavities—while 78% have gum diseases.


A 2015 study1 even suggested that the Philippines has the highest number of people 
wearing dentures in Asia. In 2016, the Philippine Prosthodontic Society estimated 
that around 7 million Filipinos have never been attended to by a dentist due to the 
"misconception" that accessing dental care is expensive. Perhaps this played a big 
factor as to why - in 2018 - around 80% of Filipinos suffer from some form of 
dental problem.
The magnitude of the dental problem is reflected in its ranking as one of the 
highest in the country's morbidity picture. In economic terms, every tooth affected 
means the loss of productivity of two days, lost opportunities, recurring pain and 
severe discomfort as well as increased cost of dental treatments.
The proposed bill aims to reverse this unfortunate situation by creating a 
dental unit in each of the rural health units (RHUs) listed under the Department of 
Health (DOH) as part of the country's overall Primary Health Care strategy.
By ensuring that each RHU under the DOH has at least one dentist serving, 
the priority targets of dental health services—pre-school children, school children, 
pregnant and non-pregnant mothers and adults—will be adequately served. It will 
cost more in their services, but the benefits to be derived would more than 
compensate for the cost.
In view of the foregoing, the swift passage of the bill is earnestly sought.
SONNY ANGARA
1 http://news.abs-cbn.com/lifestyle/05/29/15/how-ph-ranks-dental-health


NINETEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
First Regular Session
SENATE 
s. B. No. R36
0yil senate
72 JUL14 P3'43
RECE'iVtO BY; _ r
Introduced by Senator SONNY ANGARA
AN ACT
CREATING A DENTAL UNIT IN EVERY RURAL HEALTH UNIT UNDER THE 
DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AS PART OF THE PRIMARY APPROACH IN THE 
DELIVERY OF HEALTH SERVICES AND PROVIDING FUNDS THEREFOR
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines 
in Congress assembled:
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Section 1. Declaration of Policy. - It is the policy of the State;
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a) To pursue the Primary Health Care Approach in the delivery of health
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services and to undertake the appropriate health human resource
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development for this policy; and
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b) To promote preventive dental healthcare in the rural areas as part of
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the Primary Health Care strategy.
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Sec. 2. Definition of Terms. - As used in this Act, the following terms shall
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mean:
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a) Rural Health Unit (also known as Main Health Center) shall be
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composed of a doctor, a nurse and a midwife. Its function is to carry
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out the public health functions of the Department of Health which
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includes both preventive and curative health care.
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b) Dentai Unit shd\\ be composed of a public hedWh dentist and a trained
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Barangay Health Worker as a dental aide.
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Sec. 3. Creation of Dental Unit. - As part of the Primary Health Care
16 
Approach, there is hereby created a dental unit in every rural health unit under the
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supervision of the Department of Health.


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Sec. 4. Implementing Rules and Regulations. - Within ninety (90) days from 
the approval of this Act, the Department of Health shall promulgate the rules and 
regulations necessary for the effective implementation of this Act.
Sec. 5. Funding. - The amount necessary for the purpose of this Act shall be 
funded from the current fiscal year's appropriation for the Department of Health 
(DOH). Thereafter, such amount as may be necessary for the implementation of this 
Act shall be included in the annual General Appropriations Act.
Sec. 6. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its 
publication in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation.
Approved.