Republic of the Philippines

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILL No. _1267

Introduced by HONORABLE LUIS RAYMUND F. VILLAFUERTE, JR.

EXPLANATORY NOTE

The state of oral health in the country is alarmingly concerning. 87% of Filipinos
suffered from tooth decay in 2011, according to the National Monitoring and
Evaluation Dental Survey’. In 2006, the National Oral Health Survey showed that
97% of six-year-old children suffered from tooth decay’. For the Department of
Health (DOH), oral disease continues to be a serious public health problem in the
Philippines*

A factor to this might be how Filipinos may not consider dental health as a priority,
with 7 out of 10 Filipinos never having been to a dentist’. Education on bad oral
hygiene and how it can lead to tooth decay and gum diseases and lead to more
serious conditions such as heart disease may be lacking. Awareness on the problem
and access to facilities is imperative for Filipinos to practice better oral care®

In line with the administration's goal for a universal health coverage and investing in
its people, this bill proposes to create a dental unit in each of the Rural Health Units
listed under the DOH. This allows for more accessible dental health care facilities
and personnel, and ensures that dentists and dental services are available,
especially in areas where facilities are not easily reachable.

The approval of this bill is earnestly sought.

A

LUIS RAYMUND #LRAY” F. VILLAFUERTE, JR.

" https:”www rappler.com/brandraplstories/83864-oral-health-more-attention-ph
® http:www.doh gov phidental-heaith-program

® http:www manilatimes.neVoral-health-matters/312367/

‘ https:zAvwnw.rappler.comMbrandraptrch-madia/91303-important-oral-heal
* http:iwww.manilatimes.netVoral-health-matters/312387/



Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Quezon City

EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS

First Regular Session

HOUSE BILL No. _1287

Introduced by HONORABLE LUIS RAYMUND F. VILLAFUERTE, JR.

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 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.

SECTION 5. Funding. - The amount necessary for the initial implementation of this
Act shall be funded from the current fiscal year's appropriation for the Department of
Health. Thereafter, such amount as may be necessary for the implementation of this
Act shall be included in the annual General Appropriations Act.

SECTION 6. Effectivity Clause. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its
Publication in the Official Gazette or in two (2) newspapers of general circulation,

Approved,