FOURTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
1 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
1 
First Regular Session 
1 
SENATE 
S. B. No. 
Introduced by SENATOR EDGARDO J. ANGARA 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
The Constitution mandates the State to protest and promote the right 
to health of the people (Article 11, Section 15) and to undertake appropriate 
health human resource development responsive to the country's needs and 
problems (Articles XI11 , 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. Tooth decay 
affects 96% of our urban children and 87% of those in the rural areas. 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 2,299 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 2,299 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. 
- 
EDGARDO J. ANGARA 
Senator 


1 
2 
3 
4 
5 
6 
7 
8 
9 
10 
11 
12 
13 
14 
15 
16 
17 
18 
19 
20 
21 
22 
FOURTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
1 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
1 
First Regular Session 
1 
SENATE 
S. B. No. 
~~ 
Introduced by SENATOR EDGARDO J. 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. - It is 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. 
SECTION 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. 
SECTION 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. 
SECTION 4. Rules and Regulations. - The Department of Health 
shall issue rules and regulations for the effective implementation of this Act. 
1 


1 
2 
3 
4 
5 
6 
7 
8 
9 
10 
11 
SECTION 6. 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. 
SECTION 6. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days 
after publication in the Official Gazette and in any newspaper of general 
circulation. 
Approved, 
2