NINETEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

House Bill No. 3162

Introduced by HON. JOSEPHINE VERONIQUE “Jaye” R. LACSON - NOEL
! HON. FLORENCIO GABRIEL G, NOEL

EXPLANATORY NOTE

| According to the Department of Health (DOH), Filipino children are the most
susceptible to dental issues. Based on the latest National Oral Health Survey (NOHS), 97.1% of
six-year-old children suffer from tooth decay. More than four (4) out of every five (5) children of
this subgroup manifested symptoms of dentinogenic infection. In addition, 78.4% of
‘twelve-year-pld children suffer from dental caries and 49.7% of the same age group manifested
symptoms of dentinogenic infections. Not only that, but 74% of twelve-year-old children suffer
from gingivitis, which if not treated early, these children could somehow become more
susceptible to irreversible periodontal diseases as they enter adolescence and approach
adulthood?. The 2018 Field Health Services information System (FHSIS) showed that only 7.81%
of children aged 12-71 months are considered orally fit2.
|
These staggering numbers show the urgent need for us to focus on oral health
programs. Under Section 15, Article 1! of the Philippine Constitution, it states that:
“The State shall protect and promote the right to health of the people and
instill health consciousness among them.”
|
| In 1963, Republic Act No. 3814 was passed establishing the Bureau of Dental
Health Services under the Department of Health, The Bureau was given the tasks of protecting
the dental health of Filipinos and the maintenance of an adequate standard of dental health
services in the country.

—___|

1 Dental Health Program - https://www.doh.gowph/dental-health-program

2 Field Heath Serves Information System Annual Report 2018



|
| However, as of today, the Bureau of Dental Health Services has been removed by
the Department of Health (DOH).

\
| Thus, it is the goal of this bill to: 1.) reinstate the Bureau of Dental Health
Services; and 2.) increase the salary grade of Dental professionals in the government to address
2.) the rising number of orally unfit Filipinos, b.) proliferation of illegal dental practitioners, and

¢) the increase of salary grade of dental professionals in the government.

IN VIEW OF THE FOREGOING, the immediate approval of this bill is

earnestly sought.

HON. JOSEPHINE VERONIQUE ‘Paye” R. LACSON - NOEL,
Malabon City, Lone District

\s-cs-—

HON. FLORENCIO GABRIEL G. NOEL
An Waray Party-list



Introdu

Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.
Quezon City, Metro Manila

NINETEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

House Bill No.__ 3162

ed by HON. JOSEPHINE VERONIQUE “Jaye” R. LACSON - NOEL
HON. FLORENCIO GABRIEL G. NOEL.

| AN ACT REINSTATING

THE BUREAU OF DENTAL SERVICES (BDS) UNDER THE DEPARTMENT OF

HEALTH
INCREAS!

AND REVAMPING THE BUREAU OF DENTAL SERVICES BY
iG THE SALARY GRADE OF DENTAL PROFESSIONALS IN THE

GOVERNMENT AND PROVIDING FOR STRINGENT PENALTIES FOR ILLEGAL
DENTAL PRACTITIONERS IN THE COUNTRY

in Congress

Act of 2022

moral charac
years. The Dj
of the Comi

rector.

| Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Philippine
assembled:

SECTION 1. Short Title — This Act shall be known as “Dental Health Services
if
|
SECTION 2. Establishment of the Bureau of Dental Health Services ~ There is
hereby created under the Department of Health (DOH) a Bureau of Dental Health Services
(BDHS).

This Bureau shall be headed by a Director who shall be a dentist of: 1.) good
er; and 2.) must have practiced dentistry for a period of not less than twelve (12)
rector shall be appointed by the President of the Philippines with the confirmation
ission on Appointments and shall receive a compensation as a regular bureau di-



Research, St

The Bureau shall have the following divisions: Administrative Division;
andards and Statistics Division; Rural Dental Health Division; Industrial Dental

Health Division; Sanitaria, Hospital, Puericulture and Charity Center Dental Health Division; Pri-

vate School:
the interests

Dental Health Division; and such other Divisions as may be deemed necessary in
of public health dentistry.

SECTION 3. Functions of the Bureau of Dental Health Services - The Bureau of

Dental Health Services is charged with the protection of the dental health of the people of the

Philippines and the maintenance of an adequate standard of dental health services and the

improvement of such standards. Its general powers and functions shall extend to and compre-
hend imeerton among others the following:

(a) The coordination, control and supervision of all dental health services in the

Be
A

yvernment including those under the Department of Health, except those of the
‘med Forces of the Philippines and dental infirmaries for the training of dental

stlidents in dental schools and dental colleges and those under the Department of
Education.

(b) Supervision of such dental health services in private firms, companies, corporations,

tal
(1
for

and private educational institutions, except dental infirmaries for the training of den-

| students in dental schools or colleges.
1e making of statistics, researches, and investigations as may be deemed necessary
the purpose of improving public dental health.

SECTION 4, Dental Health Activities of the Department of Health - To carry out

the provisions of this Act, all dental health activities of the regional offices of the Department of

Health, inclu
together wit

ding those in hospitals, sanitaria and other units under the Department of Health,
ih all dental health personnel, their salary items, equipment and appropriations,

except those specifically excluded in Section two (a) hereof, are hereby placed under the

supervision,

integration, control and coordination of the Bureau of Dental Health Services:

Provided, That in the case of hospitals and sanitaria under the Department of Health, the Bu-

reau of Dent
in those insti
thereof shall

|
appointment

Philippines i

ial Health Services shall exercise only technical supervision over the dental services
itutions, while the administrative control and supervision over the dental personnel
be exercised by the chiefs of the said institutions.

The financing of these various dental activities as well as the salary items and the
of all their personnel, shall continue as heretofore, and the President of the
hereby authorized to effect the transfer of such dental health activities in the

various agencies of the government as have not as yet been transferred to the Bureau of Dental
Health fe with the corresponding items and personnel, equipment and appropriations,

upon, the a

jproval of this Act.


| SECTION 5, Oral Health Awareness Program — In addition to the activities of the

Bureau, an Qral Health Awareness Program shall also be conducted annually in every key city in
the country at a date decided by the Department of Health (DOH). The Program shall have the

following:

1. Discussion on Oral Health Awareness to be conducted by a Dentist working for the

Bureau of Dental Health Services and/or a renowned Dentist in the country, whether

publi

|
2. Free

Servi

or private;

Oral Examination to be conducted by dentists of the Bureau of Dental Health

ices; and

Conduct necessary dental treatment for those who require such for free

| SECTION 6. Dental Health Services of Private Firms - All dental health

services in private firms, companies or corporations and educational institutions which are

required by

law to employ dentists, shall be under the supervision of the Bureau of Dental

Health Services: Provided, however, That the salaries of such dentists and other personnel shall

continue to be paid by such firms, companies or corporations or educational institutions.

implementa
Department
this Act shal
annual Genet

SECTION 7. Appropriations - the amount necessary for the initial
tion of this Act shall be charged against the existing appropriations of the
of Health (00H). Thereafter, the amounts needed for the full implementation of
be included in the budget of the Department of Health (DOH) in the succeeding
ral Appropriations Act.

|
SECTION 8. Separability Clause — If any part or provision of this Act is held invalid

or unconstitutional, the other provisions not affected thereby shall remain in force and effect.

executive or
inconsistent
accordingly.

SECTION 9. Repealing Clause ~ Any law, presidential decree or issuance,
ler, letter of instruction, administrative order, rule or regulation contrary to or is

|with the provisions of this Act is hereby repealed, modified or amended
|
|

| SECTION 10. Effectivity - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its

publication in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation.

Approved,