Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City 
Twentieth Congress 
First Regular Session 
HOUSE BILL NO. 1139_ 
 Introduced by Hon. Charisse Anne C. Hernandez 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
Public dentists play a crucial role in ensuring the oral health and well-being of our 
communities, particularly for individuals who have limited access to dental care. They are 
champions of oral health promotion and disease prevention. 
However, according to the data provided by the National Database of Selected Human 
Resources for Health, as of December 2022, there is a mere count of 1,943 dentists employed 
in the public sector. This stark figure highlights the concerning reality that there is merely one 
public dentist available to attend to the oral health requirements of approximately 57,423 
individuals in the Philippines. 
One of the challenges of the government in recruiting dentists is the significant gap 
between the remuneration for public dentists and the potential income they could earn in private 
practice. The compensation for entry-level dentist position in the government is Salary Grade 
(SG) 13 which amounts to only PHP31,320 in 2023. In contrast, private dental practice holds 
the potential for higher earnings, surpassing what the government can offer, and without the 
stringent requirements and restrictions associated with civil service employment. 
July 2, 2025
3:15 pm


It is enshrined in Article II, Section 15 of the 1987 Constitution that the State shall 
protect and promote the right to health of the people and instill health consciousness among 
them. It is also stated in Article XIII, Section 11 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.  
By increasing the salaries of public dentists, we recognize their hard work, dedication, 
and expertise. It is crucial to acknowledge that these individuals have invested years of their 
lives in acquiring the necessary education and skills to serve our country. Their commitment 
to public service should be met with fair and competitive compensation that reflects their value 
and contribution to public health. 
A higher salary for public dentists will not only motivate them to continue their 
exceptional work but also attract and retain talented individuals in this essential field. We need 
to create an environment that encourages dental professionals to choose public service over 
more lucrative opportunities in the private sector. By doing so, we can ensure a consistent and 
qualified workforce that can meet the increasing demand for dental care in underserved areas.
In view of the foregoing, approval of this bill is earnestly sought. 
CHARISSE ANNE C. HERNANDEZ 
          Representative 
          Lone District, Calamba City


Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City 
Twentieth Congress 
First Regular Session 
HOUSE BILL NO. 1139
 Introduced by Hon. Charisse Anne C.  Hernandez 
AN ACT 
UPGRADING THE SALARY GRADE OF DENTISTS EMPLOYED IN THE PUBLIC 
SECTOR, 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 
Modification Act."  
SEC. 2. Declaration of Policy. - It is hereby declared a policy of the State to protect 
and promote the right to health of the people and instill health consciousness among them. In 
line with this policy, and in recognition of the critical role of dentists in promoting oral health 
among Filipinos, and the need to encourage qualified health care professionals to join and 
remain in government service, the State shall ensure that the compensation received by public 
dentists remain commensurate to the demands of the service, and that their social and economic 
well-being, living and working conditions. and terms of employment are continuously 
promoted and improved 


SEC. 3. Coverage. - This Act shall cover all dentists, regardless of their status of 
employment, in all public health institutions, whether nationally or locally funded, as well as 
those assigned for national government agencies, instrumentalities of government, including, 
government-owned and -controlled corporations (GOCCs), state universities and colleges 
(SUCs), and local government units (LGUs). 
 
SEC. 4. Adjustment of Salary Grade of Public Dentists. - Upon the effectivity of this 
Act, the salary grade levels for dentists employed in all government agencies and 
instrumentalities shall be modified as follows: 
 
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 
 
Provided, That public dentists employed on part-time or casual basis under the Human 
Resources for Health and other similar programs and projects of the government shall receive 
remuneration in accordance with the modified salary grade schedule and shall be paid 
proportionate to the actual service they have rendered: Provided, further, That government 
agencies and instrumentalities that are not covered under Republic Act No. 11466, otherwise 
known as the Salary Standardization Law of 2019, shall continue to receive their current 
remuneration so long as the salaries they receive correspond to or are higher than the salary 
schedule provided under this Act: Provided, finally, That the modified salaries of public 
dentists employed by LGUs shall correspond to the income classification of the LGU 
concerned and shall not exceed the percentage of the applicable salary schedule as provided in 
Section 10(a) of Republic Act No. 11466, otherwise known as the Salary Standardization Law 
of 2019. 
 


SEC. 5. Appropriations. - The amount necessary to effectively implement the 
provisions of this Act shall be included in the annual General Appropriations Act, in the 
respective annual appropriations ordinances of the LGUs, and in the respective annual 
corporate operating budgets of the GOCCs. 
 
SEC. 6. Implementing Rules and Regulations. - Within thirty (30) days from the 
effectivity of this Act, the Department of Budget and Management shall, in coordination with 
other government agencies concerned, promulgate the rules and regulations to effectively 
implement the provisions of this Act. 
 
SEC. 7. Separability Clause. - If any provision of this Act is declared unconstitutional 
or invalid, other parts or provisions hereof not affected thereby shall continue to be in full force 
and effect. 
 
SEC. 8. Repealing Clause. - All laws, executive orders, presidential decrees, 
presidential proclamations, letters of instructions, issuances, rules and regulations or parts 
thereof which are inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are hereby repealed or modified 
accordingly. 
 
SEC. 9. Effectivity Clause. - This Act shall take effect on the fiscal year immediately 
following its publication in the Official Gazette or in at least two (2) newspapers of general 
circulation. 
  
Approved,