Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

FIFTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

411

H.B.No.

Introduced by HONORABLE JUAN EDGARDO “SONNY” M. ANGARA

EXPLANATORY NOTE

The Constitution mandates the State to protest and promote the right to health of the
people (Article II, Section 15) and to undertake appropriate health human resource development
responsive to the country's needs and problems (Articles XIII , Section 12).

Moreover, the Philippines joined the other countries at the 1978 Alma Ata Conference in
USSR in adopting the Primary Health Care Approach to providing health service.

At present, however, lack of proper dental health practices of the general population
continues to be a national concern.

Almost entire communities in the country suffer from two of the most prevalent of dental
diseases: Tooth decay and gum diseases. 92% of Filipino are suffering from dental caries while
78% has gum diseases. The magnitude of the dental problem is reflected in its being the
highest in the morbidity picture of the country. In economic terms, every tooth affected means
the loss of productivity of two days, lost opportunities, recurring pain and severe discomfort as
well as increased cost of dental treatments.

The bill proposes to create a dental unit in each of the 2,266 as of 2005 rural health units
as part of the human resource development to meet the needs of the Primary Health Care
strategy in the delivery of health services.

At present, there are 881 rural health dentists in plantilla of the Department of Health
distributed in the twelve regions. By providing for one dentist position in each of the 2,266 rural
health units under the Department of Health, the priority targets of dental health services - pre-
school children, school children, pregnant and non-pregnant mothers and adults - will be
adequately served. It will cost more in their services, but the benefits to be derived from their
services will be tremendous. More children, mothers and adults can be properly attended to.
With a dentist at every rural health unit, the ratio of dentist to the population will approach the
standard ratio of 1:20,000 population, similar to that of physician.

In view of the foregoing, the passage of the bill is strongly recommended.

7 ee

“JUAN Sleieao “SONNY” M. ANGARA
Representative
Loné District of Aurora Province


FIFTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE)
REPUBLIC OF.THE PHILIPPINES —_)
First Regular Session )

411i

H.B.No.___

Introduced by Honorable JUAN EDGARDO “SONNY” M. ANGARA

AN ACT
CREATING A DENTAL UNIT IN EVERY RURAL HEALTH UNIT UNDER THE
DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AS PART OF THE PRIMARY APPROACH IN THE
DELIVERY OF HEALTH SERVICES AND PROVIDING FUNDS THEREFOR

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

SECTION 1. Declaration of Policy. Itis the policy of the State:

a) To pursue the Primary Health Care Approach in the delivery of health services and
to undertake the appropriate health human resource development for this policy;
and

b) To promote preventive dental healthcare in the rural areas as part of the Primary
Health Care strategy,

SEC. 2. Definition of Terms.

a) “Rural Health Unit” - also known as Main Health Center. It is composed of a doctor,
a nurse and a midwife. Its function is to carry out the public health functions of the
Department of Health which includes both preventive and curative health care.

b) “Dental Unit” - composed of a public health dentist and a trained Barangay Health
Worker as a dental aide.

SEC. 3. Creation of Dental Unit. As part of the Primary Health Care Approach, there is
hereby created a dental unit in every rural health unit under the supervision of the Department
of Health,

SEC. 4. Rules and Regulations. The Department of Health shall issue rules and
regulations for the effective implementation of this Act.

SEC. §. Funding. The amount necessary for the purpose of this Act shall be funded out
of the appropriations of the Department of Health under Republic Act Numbered sixty-six
hundred and forty two. Thereafter, such amount as may be necessary for the implementation of
this Act shall be included in the annual General Appropriation Act.


SEC. 6. Effectivity. This Act shall take effect fifteen (I5) days after publication in the

Official Gazette and in any newspaper of general circulation.

Approved,