EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE } 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES } 
Second Regular Session 
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SENATE
S.B. No. 2084
i.PJffifr ci tiK ‘ f'11 '-i
'21 MAR-3 PI :04
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Introduced by SENATOR VICENTE C. SOTTO III
AN ACT
REQUIRING DENTISTS, DENTAL HYGENISTS AND DENTAL 
TECHNOLOGISTS TO KEEP PATIENT DENTAL RECORDS, REPEALING 
FOR THE PURPOSE PRESIDENTIAL DECREE NO. 1575, OTHERWISE 
KNOWN AS THE LAW “REQUIRING PRACTITIONERS OF DENTISTRY TO 
KEEP RECORDS OF THEIR PATIENTS”, PROVIDING FUNDS THEREFOR
AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES
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EXPLANATORY NOTE
It is true that DNA profiling is considered to be one of the most reliable 
and efficient means to identify victims of crimes or natural disasters. However, 
in a tropical country such as ours, the acquisition of good quality post mortem 
samples is complicated due to the variable degree of preservation or 
decomposition of the remains and the high risk of DNA (cross) contamination. 
Another issue is the high cpsts associated with DNA testing. A rough estimate 
for a rape case that includes one victim and one unknown suspect is around 
forty thousand pesos (P 40,000.00) or twenty thousand pesos (P20,000.00) 
per testing kit. Cases witht a number of suspects and numerous items to be 
tested require more labor and more chemicals for testing, thus increasing the 
costs. This obligation to pay for the tests, falls upon our law enforcement 
agencies.
Year after year, the country faces its fair share of disasters, both natural 
man-made. The typhoons Ondoy, Sendong, Pablo and Yolanda caused mass 
fatalities and owing to the number of casualties and the lack of adequate 
training in forensics, the remains are no longer tagged and would often times 
be simply strewn about in shallow pits or in open areas. This exposure led to 
their further decomposition, with the rates being so prevalent that the usual 
modes1 of identification could no longer be pursued. Due to the degree of their
1 Which could be either Visual (Physical) Identification, DNA Profiling or Fingerprinting.


decomposition, the only viable alternative is to look into the dental features 
of the victims. A forensic method already being employed by other 
jurisdictions for similar calamities years prior. However, in our case, due to 
the lack or insufficiency of dentition records in the possession of concerned 
government agencies, the proper identification of victims is hardly ever 
possible.
The dental enamel is the hardest and most indestructible part of the 
human body. Being highly resistant to the elements, it can be destroyed only 
at exceedingly high temperatures. Being composed almost entirely of 
inorganic elements (97%), unlike organic tissue, it is not subject to the forces 
of decomposition. Victims of civil catastrophes, crimes, and accidental deaths 
are frequently identified by their teeth. More victims might be identified if a 
standardized method of taking, maintaining and storage of dental records 
were being practiced.
The comparison of a person’s ante-mortem dental records with 
postmortem dental evidence from unknown human remains has long been 
recognized as the most reliable means of positive scientific identification. 
Though a person’s dental characteristics may change over his lifetime, 
changes after death are extremely slow.
In this regard, the proposed measure eliminates the need to wait for ten 
(10) years before the National Bureau of Investigation may begin to receive 
dnd retain dentition records.2 This measure will expedite the identification of 
victims of crime or mass fatality incidents, whether natural or man-made, 
(^ereby expediting the resolution of cases and easing the plight of the families 
’^fected by such incidents.
In view of the foregoing, the immediate passage of this bill is earnestly
sought.
VICENTE C. SOTTO III
2 As provided in Presidential Decree No. 1575 (11 June 1978)


EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE } 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES } 
Second Regular Session 
}
SENATE
s.B. No. 2084
't'\ 
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cl VVk
71 MftR-3 PI :04
RUCUv'.Jtu:___
Introduced by SENATOR VICENTE C. SOTTO III
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AN ACT
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REQUIRING DENTISTS, DENTAL HYGENISTS AND DENTAL
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TECHNOLOGISTS TO KEEP PATIENT DENTAL RECORDS, REPEALING
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FOR THE PURPOSE PRESIDENTIAL DECREE NO. 1575, OTHERWISE
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KNOWN AS THE LAW ‘‘REQUIRING PRACTITIONERS OF DENTISTRY TO
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KEEP RECORDS OF THEIR PATIENTS”, PROVIDING FUNDS THEREFOR
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AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES
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Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the 
Philippines in Congress assembled:
Section 1. Short Title - This act shall be known the “Forensic 
Odontology Act of 2021”.
Section 2. Statement of Policy - It shall be the duty of all dental 
practitioners to create and maintain accurate and complete dentition records 
that serve the best interests of their patients and that contribute to the safety 
and continuity of the community onto which they practice their trade! These 
records shall include the history and description of the patient's dentition and 
the treatments made thereon. 
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Section 3. Duty of all Dental Practitioners - Dental practitionei4| shall 
have the professional and legal responsibility to:
A. Keep as confidential the information they collect and record alout 
their patients;
B. Assist their patients to make well-informed decisions about treatment 
procedures; and
C. Retain, transfer, dispose of, correct and provide access to dental 
records in accordance with the requirements of similar laws or 
issuances of the Professional Regulations Commission (PRC), Board 
of Dentistry (BOD) or the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI).


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Section 4. Ensuring the integrity of Dental Records - In order to ensure
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the integrity and reliability of patient dental records, Dental Practitioners are
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expected to observe the following;
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A. A dental record must be made at the time of the appointment or as soon
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thereafter as practicable.
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B. Entries on a dental record must be made in chronological order,
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accurate and concise.
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C. Dental records must be retrievable promptly when required.
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D. Dental records must be stored securely and safeguarded against loss or
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damage including a secure backup of electronic records.
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E. The original information must also be reflected in corrected dental
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records; and
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F. A treating dental practitioner shall have the sole responsibility for the
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accuracy of medical and dental information of his/her patient.
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Section 5. Submission of Dental Records to the NBI - All Dental
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Practitioners, through the Board of Dentistry or its Regional/District Offices
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shall, at the close of every quarter, submit to the National Bureau of
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Investigation or through its Regional/District Offices a copy of the dentition
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records of every patient. These NBI Regional/District Offices shall in turn
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forward such records to the Forensic Investigation Service for proper
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recording and storage.
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Section 6. Access and Disclosure of Records - Dental Practitioners shall
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ensure and maintain the confidentiality of their patient’s records. In this
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regard, the viewing, copying, examination or disclosure of records obtained in
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accordance with this Act shall only be allowed in the following instances;
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A. In case of mass fatality incidents brought about by man-made or natural
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disasters;
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B. In connection with an on-going investigation by Agents of the National
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Bureau of Investigation or prosecution of an offense;
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C. Upon lawful order of the Court, in connection with a pending criminal
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or civil action;
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D. In cases where the identity of the perpetrator or victim of a criminal
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offense need to be ascertained; 
and
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E. Other analogous instances.
Section 7. Retention of Dental Records - In order to carry out the 
provisions under this Act, Dental Practitioners are required to retain copies


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of their patient’s dental records for a period of not less than ten years, 
reckoned from the date of the last entry.
Section 8. Implementing Rules and Regulations - Within one hundred 
(100) days from the effectivity of this Act, the Professional Regulations 
Cominission, together with the Board of Dentistry and the National Bureau of 
Investigation, shall promulgate such rules as may be necessary to carry out 
the provisions of this Act.
Section 9. Penalty - Any person who violates any provision of this Act 
shall suffer the penalties provided hereunder:
A. For the first conviction, a fine of not less than Thirty thousand 
pesos but not more than Fifty thousand pesos and suspension of 
appropriate authorization to practice Dentistry for one (1) year 
shall be imposed;
B. For the second conviction, a fine of more than Fifty hundred 
thousand pesos but not more than One hundred thousand pesos 
and suspension of appropriate authorization to practice 
Dentistry for tJiree (3) years shall be imposed;
C. For the third and subsequent convictions, a fine of more than 
One hundred thousand pesos but not more than Two hundred 
thousand pesos and suspension of appropriate authorization to 
practice Dentistry for Five (5) years shall be imposed; and
D. Any NBI official or employee who shall violate the provisions of 
this Act shall be the subject of appropriate criminal, civil or 
administrative action, as maybe prescribed by relevant laws, 
rules or issuances.
Section 10. Appropriation Clause - The funding requirement for the 
implementation of this Act shall be included in the General Appropriations 
Act starting from the year following its enactment into law.
Section 11. Separability Clause-If any of the sections or provisions of 
this Act is held invalid, all other provisions not affected thereby shall remain 
valid.
Section 12. Repealing Clause- All laws, decrees, issuances, rules and 
regulations inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are hereby repealed or 
modified accordingly.
Section 13. Effectivity - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days 
following its publication in at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation.
Approved;
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