Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City, Metro Manila

EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

5163
House Bill No.

Introduced by HON. JOSEPHINE VERONIQUE “Jaye” R. LACSON - NOEL
Malabon City, Lone District

EXPLANATORY NOTE

According to the Department of Health (DOH), Filipino children are the most
susceptible to dental issues. Based on the latest National Oral Health Survey (NOHS), 97.1% of
six-year-old children suffer from tooth decay. More than four (4) out of every five (5) children of
this subgroup manifested symptoms of dentinogenic infection. In addition, 78.4% of
twelve-year-old children suffer from dental caries and 49.7% of the same age group manifested
symptoms of dentinogenic infections. Not only that, but 74% of twelve-year-old children suffer
from gingivitis, which if not treated early, these children could somehow become more
susceptible to irreversible periodontal diseases as they enter adolescence and approach
adulthood!, The 2018 Field Health Services Information System (FHSIS) showed that only
7.81% of children aged 12-71 months are considered orally fit.

These staggering numbers show the urgent need for us to focus on oral health
programs. Under Section 15, Article II of the Philippine Constitution, it states that:

“The State shall protect and promote the right to health of the people and
instill health consciousness among them.”

In 1963, Republic Act No. 3814 was passed establishing the Bureau of Dental
Health Services under the Department of Health. The Bureau was given the tasks of protecting
the dental health of Filipinos and the maintenance of an adequate standard of dental health
services in the country.

1 Dental Health Program - hitps:/wwww doh gov-ph/dental-heath-program
2 Field Health Services Information System Annual Report 2018,


However, as of today, the Bureau of Dental Health Services has been removed by
the Department of Health (DOH).

Thus, it is the goal of this bill to: 1.) reinstate the Bureau of Dental Health
Services; and 2.) increase the salary grade of Dental professionals in the government to address
a.) the rising number of orally unfit Filipinos, b.) proliferation of illegal dental practitioners, and
c.) the increase of salary grade of dental professionals in the government.

IN VIEW OF THE FOREGOING, the immediate approval of this bill is
earnestly sought.

JOSEPHINE VERONIQUE “Jaye” R. LACSON - NOEL


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City, Metro Manila

EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

5163

Introduced by HON. JOSEPHINE VERONIQUE “Jaye” R. LACSON - NOEL
Malabon City, Lone District

AN ACT REINSTATING
THE BUREAU OF DENTAL SERVICES (BDS) UNDER THE DEPARTMENT OF
HEALTH AND REVAMPING THE BUREAU OF DENTAL SERVICES BY
INCREASING THE SALARY GRADE OF DENTAL PROFESSIONALS IN THE
GOVERNMENT AND PROVIDING FOR STRINGENT PENALTIES FOR ILLEGAL
DENTAL PRACTITIONERS IN THE COUNTRY

Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Philippine
in Congress assembled:

SECTION 1. Short Title — This Act shall be known as “Dental Health Services
Act of 2019”

SECTION 2. Establishment of the Bureau of Dental Health Services — There
is hereby created under the Department of Health (DOH) a Bureau of Dental Health Services
(BDHS),

This Bureau shall be headed by a Director who shall be a dentist of: 1.) good
moral character; and 2.) must have practiced dentistry for a period of not less than twelve (12)
years. The Director shall be appointed by the President of the Philippines with the confirmation
of the Commission on Appointments and shall receive a compensation as a regular bureau direc

tor.


The Bureau shall have the following divisions: Administrative Division;
Research, Standards and Statistics Division; Rural Dental Health Division; Industrial Dental
Health Division; Sanitaria, Hospital, Puericulture and Charity Center Dental Health Division;
Private Schools Dental Health Division; and such other Divisions as may be deemed necessary in
the interests of public health dentistry.

SECTION 3. Functions of the Bureau of Dental Health Services - The Bureau
of Dental Health Services is charged with the protection of the dental health of the people of the
Philippines and the maintenance of an adequate standard of dental health services and the
improvement of such standards. Its general powers and functions shall extend to and comprehend
integration among others the following:

(a) The coordination, control and supervision of all dental health services in the
government including those under the Department of Health, except those of the
‘Armed Forces of the Philippines and dental infirmaries for the training of dental
students in dental schools and dental colleges and those under the Department of
Education.

(b) Supervision of such dental health services in private firms, companies, corporations,
and private educational institutions, except dental infirmaries for the training of dental
students in dental schools or colleges.

(c) The making of statistics, researches, and investigations as may be deemed necessary
for the purpose of improving public dental health.

SECTION 4. Dental Health Activities of the Department of Health - To carry
out the provisions of this Act, all dental health activities of the regional offices of the Department
of Health, including those in hospitals, sanitaria and other units under the Department of Health,
together with all dental health personnel, their salary items, equipment and appropriations,
except those specifically excluded in Section two (a) hereof, are hereby placed under the
supervision, integration, control and coordination of the Bureau of Dental Health Services:
Provided, That in the case of hospitals and sanitaria under the Department of Health, the Bureau
of Dental Health Services shall exercise only technical supervision over the dental services in
those institutions, while the administrative control and supervision over the dental personnel
thereof shall be exercised by the chiefs of the said institutions.

The financing of these various dental activities as well as the salary items and the
appointments of all their personnel, shall continue as heretofore, and the President of the
Philippines is hereby authorized to effect the transfer of such dental health activities in the
various agencies of the government as have not as yet been transferred to the Bureau of Dental
Health Services, with the corresponding items and personnel, equipment and appropriations,
upon, the approval of this Act.


SECTION 5. Oral Health Awareness Program — In addition to the activities of
the Bureau, an Oral Health Awareness Program shall also be conducted annually in every key
city in the country at a date decided by the Department of Health (DOH). The Program shall
have the following:

1. Discussion on Oral Health Awareness to be conducted by a Dentist working for the
Bureau of Dental Health Services and/or a renowned Dentist in the country, whether
public or private;

2. Free Oral Examination to be conducted by dentists of the Bureau of Dental Health
Services; and

3. Conduct necessary dental treatment for those who require such for free.

SECTION 6. Dental Health Services of Private Firms - All dental health
services in private firms, companies or corporations and educational institutions which are
required by law to employ dentists, shall be under the supervision of the Bureau of Dental Health
Services: Provided, however, That the salaries of such dentists and other personnel shall continue
to be paid by such firms, companies or corporations or educational institutions.

SECTION 7. Appropriations - the amount necessary for the initial
implementation of this Act shall be charged against the existing appropriations of the Department
of Health (DOH). Thereafter, the amounts needed for the full implementation of this Act shall be
included in the budget of the Department of Health (DOH) in the succeeding annual General
Appropriations Act.

SECTION 8. Separability Clause ~ If any part or provision of this Act is held
invalid or unconstitutional, the other provisions not affected thereby shall remain in force and
effect.

SECTION 9. Repealing Clause — Any law, presidential decree or issuance,
executive order, letter of instruction, administrative order, rule or regulation contrary to or is
inconsistent with the provisions of this Act is hereby repealed, modified or amended accordingly.

SECTION 10. Effectivity — This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its
publication in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation

Approved,