Lawmakers in the Philippines have introduced a bill aimed at expanding access to affordable dental care by establishing a nationwide oral health program designed to integrate dental services into the country’s primary healthcare system.
House Bill No. 4691, also known as the Oral Healthcare Act, was filed by Leyte Representative Ferdinand Martin Romualdez along with Tingog Party-list Representatives Yedda Marie Romualdez, Andrew Julian Romualdez, and Jude Acidre.
The proposed legislation seeks to address widespread oral health concerns among Filipinos, particularly untreated tooth decay and gum disease, which lawmakers said can lead to more serious health complications and increased household expenses if ignored.
Romualdez said the bill is intended to make dental care a core part of basic healthcare services, reducing long-term medical costs for families while improving overall quality of life.
If enacted, the measure would establish a National Oral Health Program focused on strengthening dental care services nationwide, with special attention given to underserved communities that currently have limited access to dentists and oral healthcare facilities.
The bill would also integrate oral health into existing government health initiatives, including maternal, child, and nutrition programs, ensuring dental care becomes a routine part of regular health checkups.
In addition, the proposal directs PhilHealth to broaden its dental coverage to include more oral healthcare services for Filipinos across all age groups, helping lower out-of-pocket expenses for dental visits.
Local government units would be required to implement their own oral health programs and establish dental units in rural health centers staffed by trained personnel capable of delivering basic dental services.
The measure further calls for stricter enforcement against illegal dental practices and seeks to raise professional standards across the dental care sector.
The bill comes as the Department of Health pushes for a larger oral health budget and works to revive its Oral Health Bureau, while also exploring better compensation packages to address the country’s shortage of licensed dentists.
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