Department of Health Undersecretary Dr. Emmie Liza Perez-Chiong called for increased funding for oral health as the country marks National Oral Health Month, saying mouth diseases remain a largely overlooked public health concern.
During an exclusive interview on DZRH’s Maynila, Ito ang Pilipinas, Perez-Chiong said current oral health initiatives are tucked under the Disease Prevention and Control Program and operate on a limited budget.
Chiong revealed that the DOH has formally requested the revival of the Oral Health Bureau, a unit that had been inactive for years, with the proposal now pending before the Department of Budget and Management (DBM). The move, she said, would allow the agency to lobby for a larger, dedicated fund for oral health programs nationwide.
The health official stressed that oral health issues go beyond tooth decay, citing gingivitis, periodontitis, and oral cancer as serious but underreported problems. She noted that while DOH has data on dental caries, there is no clear national figure for oral cancer cases, as these are grouped under general cancer statistics. She added that fear of dental procedures often prevents Filipinos from seeking early treatment.
Perez-Chiong highlighted a key development: the PhilHealth Oral Preventive Package launched in late 2024, which provides free twice-a-year oral examinations, cleaning, fluoride treatment for children, and fissure sealants in 87 DOH hospitals and PhilHealth-accredited primary care facilities. She urged the public to take advantage of the benefit, saying prevention is far cheaper and more effective than treatment.
She also raised concerns over the shortage of dentists in the country, noting that the Philippines has roughly one dentist for every 52,000 people, far from the WHO standard of 1:7,500. Proposed legislation seeking higher salary grades for government dentists, she said, could help address the gap and encourage more practitioners to enter public service.
The DOH is also finalizing an administrative order to better regulate dental facilities in coordination with the PRC, aiming to curb unlicensed or “fly-by-night” clinics.
As part of this year’s National Oral Health Month campaign, Perez-Chiong said the agency is focusing on promoting brushing, flossing, fluoride use, and awareness that “oral health is part of overall health,” not just dental care.
