NINETEENTH CONGRESS 
) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES ) 
First Regular Session 
) 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Introduced by Representative Rufus B. Rodriguez 
House Bill No.  _____ 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
Based on the 2018 National Survey on Oral Health, 72% Filipinos are suffering from dental 
caries, while 50% have gum disease. Studies have shown that poor oral hygiene could lead 
to more serious health problems like diabetes, heart disease, and stroke. 
Unfortunately, most Filipinos tend to ignore their oral health because of a myriad of reasons, 
including the lack of information and the lack of access to dentists. There is thus a big need to 
encourage more Filipinos to enter the dental profession.   
According to the World Health Organization the dentist to patient ratio should be 1:7,500; in 
the Philippines, the ratio is at around 1:53,000.  
Hence, this bill which seeks to upgrade the salary grades of all public dentists in government 
service which will make the salaries in public practice comparable to private practice. 
In view of the foregoing, immediate approval of this measure is earnestly requested. 
RUFUS B. RODRIGUEZ 
April 12, 2023
6:30 pm
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NINETEENTH CONGRESS 
) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES ) 
First Regular Session 
) 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Introduced by Representative Rufus B. Rodriguez 
House Bill No.  _____ 
AN ACT 
TO UPGRADE THE SALARY SCALES OR LEVELS OF PUBLIC DENTISTS, PROVIDING 
FUNDS THEREFOR AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress 
assembled: 
SECTION 1. Short Title. - This Act shall be known as the “Public Dentist Salary 
Standardization Act". 
SECTION 2. Declaration of Policy. - Article II, Section 15 of the 1987 Constitution provides 
that "the State shall protect and promote the right to health of the people and instill health 
consciousness among them”. Under Section 2 of Republic Act 7305 or the Magna Carta of 
Public Health Workers, it is the declared policy of the State to "instill health consciousness 
among our people to effectively carry out the health programs and projects of the government 
essential for the growth and health of the nation.” Towards this end, the Magna Carta of Public 
Health Workers aims to, among others, "promote and improve the social and economic well-
being of the health workers, their living and working conditions and terms of employment."3 
Pursuant to these, it is hereby declared the policy of the State to recognize the 
important role played by government dentists in maintaining and promoting the oral health of 
the people. Thus, the government must ensure that these government dentists are properly 
compensated and their working and living conditions continuously improved. 
SECTION 3. Coverage. - This Act shall cover all dentists, regardless of employment status, in 
all public health institutions, whether nationally or locally funded, as well as those assigned in 
or working for national government agencies (NGAs) including state universities and colleges 
(SUCs), government owned and controlled corporations (GOCCs) and local government units 
(LGUs). 
SECTION 4. Upgraded Salary Scales or Levels. - The following salary scales or levels of 
Dentist position in the government are hereby upgraded upon the effectivity of this Act: 
Position Title 
Old Salary Grade 
New Salary Grade 
Dentist I 
13 
17 
Dentist II 
16 
20 
Dentist III 
19 
23 
Dentist IV 
22 
25 
Dentist V 
24 
27 
Dentist VI 
26 
29 
Dentist VII 
28 
30 
SECTION 5. Appropriation. - The Government shall appropriate such amount as may be 
necessary to carry out the objectives of this Act. Initial funds required for the implementation 
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of this Act shall be sourced from the savings of the Executive Branch of the government and 
other possible sources that may be determined by the Office of the President. 
The subsequent funds needed shall be included in the General Appropriations Act for 
the year following the implementation of this Act. 
 
SECTION 6. Implementing Rules and Regulations. - Within sixty (60) days from the 
promulgation of this Act, the necessary rules and regulations for the proper implementation of 
its provisions shall be formulated by the appropriate government office or agency in 
coordination with all the stakeholders and covered establishments and institutions. 
 
SECTION 7. Repealing Clause. - All laws, executive orders, administrative orders, rules, 
regulations, decrees, and other issuances or parts thereof, which are inconsistent with the 
provisions of this Act are hereby revoked, repealed, or modified accordingly. 
 
SECTION 8. Separability Clause. - If any provision of this Act is held unconstitutional or invalid, 
the other provisions not affected thereby shall continue in operation and remain in full force 
and effect, 
 
SECTION 9. Effectivity Clause. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication 
in the Official Gazette or in the two (2) national newspapers of general circulation. 
 
Approved,