SIXTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
First Regular Session 
SENATE 
Senate Bill No. 158 6 
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INTRODUCED BY SEN. JINGGOY EJERCITO ESTRADA 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
It is the State's responsibility to deliver basic health services to the 
underprivileged, sick, elderly, disabled, women and children, as mandated by the 
Constitution in Article XII, Section 1 I. 
One of the basic services that have been proven to be "difficult" to avail of, 
especially in the rural areas, is oral and dental health care. Children in these 
areas are not taught about the importance of this much-needed care. Even the 
adults do not pay much attention to oral hygiene. And it is not enough, though, 
that the barangay health centers have. ,one or two dentists who will perform dental 
treatments on the people. 
..,."' .. . II.":,, 
Hence, this bill is being proposed. It seeks to provide free dental services 
in the rural areas. It addresses the concern that dental consultations and other 
services can be costly. For this purpose, it shall require all graduates of dental 
schools who have taken licensure examination, prior to the issuance of the 
licenses, to render free dental services. This practice shall surely benefit rural 
population for whom such services are not readily available and, at the same 
. instill in the new dental practitioners a sense of unselfish service to the public. 
In view of the 
recommended. 
passage of this bill is earnestly 
OY EJERCITO ESTRADA 
Senator 


SIXTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
First Regular Session 
) 
) 
) 
'13 
SEP 10 
Al0 :38 
, 
SENATE 
Senate Bill No. 15 8 6 
IU<X'EIVED BY;_ r . 
INTRODUCED BY SEN. JINGGOY EJERCITO ESTRADA 
AN ACT 
REQUIRING ALL DENTISTS TO GIVE FREE DENTAL SERVICES IN RURAL 
AREAS, AMENDING FOR THE PURPOSE REPUBLIC ACT 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 Philippines in 
Congress assembled: 
SECTION 1. Section 2, Article \I of Republic Act 4419 is hereby amended 
and is 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 CONDUCT OF FREE DENTAL SERVICE IN 
RURAL AREAS AS 
ANOTHER PRE-REQUISITE 
FOR DENTISTRY GRADUATES, IN ADDITION TO 
SUCCESSFULLY 
PASSING 
THE 
LICENSURE 
EXAMINATION; AND, 
f) 
The stipulation of penalties for infractions or violations 
of this Act." 
SEC. 2. Section 9 of R.A. 4419 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 subpoena duces tecum to alleged violators of this Act 


and witnesses x x x 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." 
SEC. 3. A new Section 13 shall be inserted and be read as follows: 
"SECTION 
13. 
FREE 
DENTAL 
SERVICE 
PROGRAM 
IN 
SCHOOLS 
WHO 
HAVE 
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 (3) 
MONTHS. THE BOARD OF DENTAL EXAMINERS SHALL 
PROMULGATE THE NECESSARY RULES AND REGULATIONS 
TO IMPLEMENT SUCH PROGRAM, IN COORDINATION WITH 
THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH." 
SEC. 4. The succeeding provisions shall be re-numbered accordingly. 
SEC. 5. A new section 40 shall be inserted and be read as follows: 
"SECTION 40. APPROPRIATION FOR THE FREE DENTAL 
SERVICE PROGRAM IN THE RURAL AREAS. FOR THE 
PURPOSES OF 
IMPLEMENTATION OF THIS ACT, 
THE 
NECESSARY APPROPRIATION SHALL BE TAKEN FROM THE 
ANNUAL BUDGET OF THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH." 
SEC 6. The succeeding provisions shall likewise be re-numbered. 
"SECTION [39] 41. Enforcement of Act by officers of the 
laws. 
xxx" 
SEC 7. Sections 40 and 41 of R.A. 4419 shall be amended as follows: 
"SECTION [40] 42. Repealing Clause. - All laws, rules, and 
regulations or parts thereof inconsistent with the provisions of this 
Act are hereby repealed or modified accordingly. 
"SECTION [41]43. Separability Clause. - 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 44. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect for a 
period of two (2) years, commending upon its publication in at least 
two (2) newspapers of general circulation." 
Approved,