Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City 
TWENTIETH CONGRESS 
First Regular Session 
HOUSE BILL NO.3862
Introduced by Representative MARLYN L. PRIMICIAS-AGABAS 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
Public health professionals, especially government dentists, play a crucial role 
in the effective delivery of the nation’s health programs, particularly in ensuring the 
oral health of the Filipino people. The 1987 Philippine Constitution, under Article II, 
Section 15, mandates the State to protect and promote the right to health of all 
citizens. Despite this constitutional commitment, numerous Filipinos suffer from 
common oral health issues, such as tooth decay and gum disease. While most believe 
that these are not serious health problems, there are studies that show that poor oral 
hygiene could lead to more serious health problems like diabetes, heart disease, and 
stroke. This is problematic since the current dentist-to-patient ratio in the Philippines 
is estimated to be around 1:53,000 to 1:59,000, which indicates a shortage of dentists 
compared to the recommended ratio of 1:50,000. 
This bill aims to address this critical issue by upgrading the salary scales of 
public dentists working in government hospitals, clinics, and other health institutions. 
By increasing the salaries to levels comparable to those in private practice, we can 
make public dental service more attractive, retain skilled professionals, and encourage 
more graduates to serve in the public health sector. 
The upgraded salary grades outlined in this bill will apply to all public dentists, 
regardless of employment status, including those working in government hospitals, 
local government units (LGUs), national government agencies (NGAs), government-
owned and controlled corporations (GOCCs), and state universities and colleges 
(SUCs). The measure ensures that Dentist I to Dentist VII positions are properly 
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remunerated, with salaries being adjusted upward to more accurately reflect the 
qualifications and scope of their work. 
In addition to addressing the immediate financial needs of these health 
professionals, this bill will also contribute to retaining skilled dentists in the public 
sector, reduce the brain drain to private practice, and attract more qualified individuals 
to the government health service. This, in turn, will enhance the overall capacity of the 
government to deliver quality dental care to the people, especially those in 
marginalized and remote areas where dental services are most needed. Moreover, 
the dentist-to-patient gap will be bridged, ensuring more accessible and better-quality 
oral healthcare for all Filipinos. 
In view of the foregoing, immediate approval of this measure is earnestly 
requested. 
MARLYN L. PRIMICIAS-AGABAS 


Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City 
TWENTIETH CONGRESS 
First Regular Session 
HOUSE BILL NO.3862
Introduced by Representative MARLYN L. PRIMICIAS-AGABAS 
AN ACT 
UPGRADING THE SALARY SCALES OF PUBLIC DENTISTS IN GOVERNMENT 
SERVICE, PROVIDING FUNDS THEREFOR AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines 
in Congress assembled: 
SECTION 1. Short Title. — This Act shall be known as the “Public Dentist 
Salary Standardization Act.” 
SECTION 2. Declaration of Policy. — Article Il, Section 15 of the 1987 
Constitution provides that “[t]he State shall protect and promote the right to health of 
the people and instill health consciousness among them.” Under Section 2 of Republic 
Act 7305 or the Magna Carta of Public Health Workers, it is the declared policy of the 
State to “instill health consciousness among our people to effectively carry out the 
health programs and projects to the government essential for the growth and health of 
the nation.”1 2 Towards this end, the Magna Carta of Public Health Workers aims to, 
among others, “promote and improve the social and economic well-being of the health 
1
Section 2, Republic Act 7305, Magna Carta of Public Health Workers, 26 March 1992. 
2 Id. 


workers, their living and working conditions and terms of employment.” 
Pursuant to these, it is hereby declared the policy of the State to recognize the 
important role played by government dentists in maintaining and promoting the oral 
health of the people. Thus, the government must ensure that these government 
dentists are properly compensated and their working and living conditions 
continuously improved. 
SECTION 3. Coverage. — This Act shall cover all dentists, regardless of 
employment status, in all public health institutions, whether nationally or locally funded, 
as well as those assigned in or working for National Government Agencies (NGAs) 
including State Universities and Colleges (SUCs), Government-Owned and Controlled 
Corporations (GOCCs) and Local Government Units (LGUs). 
 
SECTION 4. Upgraded Salary Scales or Levels. — The following salary scales 
or levels of Dentist position in the government are hereby upgraded upon the effectivity 
of this Act: 
 
SECTION 5. Appropriation. — The Government shall appropriate such amount 
as may be necessary to carry out the objectives of this Act. Initial funds required for 
the implementation of this Act shall be sourced from the savings of the Executive 
Position Title 
Old Salary Grade 
New Salary Grade 
Dentist I 
13 
17 
Dentist II 
16 
20 
Dentist III 
19 
23 
Dentist IV 
22 
25 
Dentist V 
24 
27 
Dentist VI 
26 
29 
Dentist VII 
28 
30 
 


Branch of the government and other possible sources that may be determined by the 
Office of the President. The subsequent funds needed shall be included in the General 
Appropriations Act for the year following the implementation of this Act. 
SECTION 6. Implementing Rules and Regulations. — Within sixty (60) days 
from the promulgation of this Act, the necessary rules and regulations for the proper 
implementation of its provisions shall be formulated by the appropriate government 
office or agency in coordination with all the stakeholders and covered establishments 
and institutions. 
SECTION 7. Repealing Clause. — All laws, executive orders, administrative 
orders, rules, regulations, decrees, and other issuances or parts thereof, which are 
inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are hereby revoked, repealed, or modified 
accordingly. 
SECTION 8. Separability Clause. — If any provision of this Act is held 
unconstitutional or invalid, the other provisions not affected thereby shall continue in 
operation and remain in full force and effect. 
SECTION 9. Effectivity Clause. — This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days 
after its publication in the Official Gazette or in the two (2) national newspapers of 
general circulation. 
Approved.