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Republic of the Philippines 
SENATE OF THE PHILIPPINES 
Pasay City 
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SIXTEENTH CONGRESS 
First Regular Session 
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S. B. No . . ,,*\iJ:.;:F 
"13 
JUL -2 
1\ 9 :13 
Introduced by SENATOR 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. 
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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. 
/~~:::)~ 
JUAN ~~fR'DO "SONNY" M. ANGARA 
Senator 


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SIXTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
First Regular Session 
•. '? 1':: n 
S. B. NOt "",. ,,'II ~J 
'13 
JUL -2 1\9 :12 
Introduced by Senator 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 SERVIC;ES 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. 
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 furctions 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. 
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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 funded out 
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of the appropriations of the Department of Health under Republic Act Numbered sixty-six 
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hundred and forty two. Thereafter, such amount as may be necesfoary for the implementation of 
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this Act shall be included in the annual General Appropriation Act. 
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SEC. 6. Effectivity. This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after publication in the 
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Official Gazette and in any newspaper of general circulation. 
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Approved, 
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