MANILA — Lawmakers have introduced a measure aimed at expanding access to affordable dental services for Filipinos through a proposed nationwide oral health program.

House Bill No. 4691, or the “Oral Healthcare Act,” was filed by Leyte Rep. Ferdinand Martin Romualdez along with Tingog Party-list Reps. Yedda Marie Romualdez, Andrew Julian Romualdez, and Jude Acidre.

The proposed legislation seeks to address the widespread incidence of tooth decay and gum disease in the country, conditions that may lead to more serious health complications if left untreated.

“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,” Romualdez said.

(When oral health is neglected, a family’s expenses and problems only grow. The goal is to make dental care part of basic health services to help lower costs and improve quality of life.)

Under the bill, a National Oral Health Program would be established to strengthen the delivery of dental services, particularly in underserved communities, and to reduce common oral health problems.

The measure also proposes integrating dental care into existing public health programs, including those focused on maternal care, child health, and nutrition, to ensure oral health becomes part of routine medical services.

It further directs PhilHealth to expand its coverage of dental procedures for Filipinos of all ages, with the goal of reducing out-of-pocket expenses for patients.

Local government units would be tasked to implement their own oral health initiatives and establish dental units in rural health centers, staffed by trained personnel capable of providing basic services.

In addition, the bill calls for stricter regulation against illegal dental practices and seeks to raise overall standards in the delivery of dental care.

Earlier, the Department of Health said it is pushing for increased funding for oral health programs and is working to revive its Oral Health Bureau, while also addressing the shortage of dentists by proposing improved compensation.