FIFTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
First Regular Session 
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SENATE 
S.B. No. 2007 
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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 II, Section 15) and to undertake appropriate health human resource 
development responsive to the cOlmtry's needs and problems (Articles XIlI , 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 nlral 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 nlral 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. 
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In view ofthe foregoing, the passage of the bill is strongly recommended. 
f~/~ 
EDGARDO J. ANGARA 
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FIFTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
First Regular Session 
) 
) 
) 
SENATE 
S.B. No. 2007 
Ii 
': .. " 
I'·:· .. •• 
r;" . 
Introduced by Senator EDGARDO J. ANGARA 
AN ACT 
CREATING A DENTAL UNIT IN EVERY RURALHEALTH 
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: 
(al To pursue the Primary Health Care Approach in the delivery of health services 
and to undertake the appropriate health human resource development for this 
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policy; and 
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(b) To promote preventive dental healthcare in the rural areas as part of the 
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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. 
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SEC. 3. Creation of Dental Unit. - As part of the Primary Health Care Approach, 
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there is hereby created a dental unit in every rural health unit under the supervision of the 
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Department of Health. 
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SEC. 4. Rules and Regulations. - The Department of Health shall issue rules and 
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regulations for the effective implementation of this Act. 
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SEC. 5. Funding - The amount necessary for the purpose of this Act shall be 
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funded out of the appropriations of the Department of Health under Republic Act 
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Numbered sixty-six hundred and forty two. Thereafter, such amount as may be necessary 
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for the implementation of this Act shall be included in the annual General Appropriation 
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Act. 
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SEC. 6. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after publication 
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in the Official Gazette and in any newspaper of general circulation . 
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Approved, 
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