For many Filipinos, a visit to the dentist is often seen as a luxury rather than a necessity. Seeking to change this mindset and make dental services more inclusive, Congressman Martin G. Romualdez, along with Representatives Yedda Marie K. Romualdez, Andrew Julian K. Romualdez, and Jude A. Acidre of the Tingog Party-list, has introduced House Bill No. 4691. This landmark measure, known as the “Oral Healthcare Act,” aims to weave dental care directly into the country’s primary health system, ensuring that every citizen has access to essential services.
The authors of the bill pointed out that oral health is a vital but often neglected pillar of overall physical well-being. Romualdez emphasized that the goal is to protect the health of ordinary Filipinos, particularly those in underserved sectors. “Hindi dapat ituring na hiwalay ang kalusugan ng ngipin—ito ay bahagi ng kabuuang kalusugan ng bawat Pilipino. Sa panukalang ito, sisiguraduhin nating ang serbisyong dental ay abot-kaya, accessible, at hindi pribilehiyo kundi karapatan, lalo na para sa mga bata, buntis, at senior citizens”. He noted that by making these services part of the state’s basic health offerings, families can avoid the heavy financial burden of emergency dental work. “Kapag pinabayaan ang oral health, lumalaki ang gastos at problema ng pamilya. Layunin ng panukalang ito na gawing bahagi ng pangunahing serbisyong pangkalusugan ang dental care upang mapagaan ang gastusin at mapabuti ang kalidad ng buhay ng bawat Pilipino,” he added.
Representative Acidre echoed these sentiments, noting how a simple toothache can spiral into a major domestic crisis when professional help is out of reach. “Ang simpleng problema sa ngipin kapag napabayaan, nagiging malaking pasanin sa pamilya. Sa panukalang ito, tinitiyak nating mas maraming Pilipino ang magkakaroon ng access sa maayos na serbisyong dental,” Acidre said.
A key feature of the bill is the mandate for PhilHealth to expand its benefit packages. Under this measure, the state health insurer will cover essential procedures including oral examinations, toothbrushing drills, cleaning, fillings, and extractions. The legislation is designed to align with the Universal Health Care Act and the “Kalusugan at Nutrisyon ng Mag-Nanay Act,” ensuring that the government will “adopt responsive and efficient policies in oral disease prevention and promotion by scaling up essential programs and increasing investments to make oral health treatment and care more equitable and affordable for all, especially for the underprivileged, poor, and marginalized Filipinos.”
Beyond affordability, the measure also tackles the lack of dental professionals in the provinces. By creating more permanent positions for dentists and dental aides in Geographically Isolated and Disadvantaged Areas (GIDAs), the bill seeks to ensure that help is available even in the most remote barangays. According to the measure, “human resource development for oral health shall be geared towards the development of adequate, appropriate, competent and highly motivated health professionals and trained auxiliaries to manage and provide quality oral health services.”
The proposal also envisions a shift toward preventive care through a nationwide awareness campaign and the designation of February as “National Oral Health Month.” By establishing a dedicated Oral Health Service (OHS) under the Department of Health, the bill ensures that there is a focused, institutionalized effort to keep the nation smiling. Once enacted, the DOH will have 180 days to issue the necessary rules to bring this vision of accessible, quality dental care to life for every Filipino.
