Lawmakers in the Philippines have filed a bill seeking to expand access to affordable dental services by creating a nationwide oral health program that would integrate dental care into the country’s primary healthcare system.
House Bill No. 4691, or the Oral Healthcare Act, was introduced by Leyte Representative Ferdinand Martin Romualdez, alongside Tingog Party-list Representatives Yedda Marie Romualdez, Andrew Julian Romualdez, and Jude Acidre.
The proposed measure aims to address widespread oral health problems in the country, including untreated tooth decay and gum disease. Legislators warned that these conditions, if left unaddressed, can lead to more serious health complications and increase long-term household healthcare costs.
Romualdez said the legislation is designed to position dental care as a fundamental component of basic healthcare services, helping reduce financial burdens on families while improving overall public health outcomes.
If passed into law, the bill would establish a National Oral Health Program focused on strengthening dental services nationwide, with particular emphasis on underserved communities that currently have limited access to dentists and oral healthcare facilities.
The proposal also seeks to integrate oral health services into existing government health programs, including maternal and child care initiatives, ensuring that dental checkups become a routine part of preventive healthcare.
In addition, the measure mandates PhilHealth to expand its dental coverage to include a broader range of oral health services across all age groups, aimed at reducing out-of-pocket expenses for patients seeking dental treatment.
Local government units would also be required to implement community-level oral health programs and establish dental units in rural health centers staffed with trained personnel capable of providing basic services, while the bill further calls for stricter enforcement against illegal dental practices and improved professional standards across the sector.
The initiative comes as the Department of Health pushes for increased funding for oral health services, including efforts to revive its Oral Health Bureau and address shortages of licensed dentists through improved compensation and workforce development programs.
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