MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Health (DOH) is sounding the alarm on the “disheartening” state of public dental services in the Philippines, revealing that a staggering 92.4 percent of Filipinos suffer from tooth decay.
Marking Oral Health Month, Health Undersecretary Emmie Liza Chiong appealed to lawmakers on Monday, February 16, 2026, for a significantly larger budget allocation to address a critical shortage of personnel, equipment, and supplies.
A Crisis in Numbers
The DOH highlighted several alarming statistics regarding the country’s oral health landscape:
- Prevalence of Disease: Beyond tooth decay, approximately 78 percent of Filipinos suffer from gum diseases.
- Severe Dentist Shortage: There is currently only one government dentist for every 53,000 Filipinos—a massive gap compared to the World Health Organization’s recommended ratio of 1:7,500.
- Public Sector Drain: Only 2,400 dentists are currently employed in the public sector, largely due to low competitive pay.
- Budget Neglect: Out of the P450-billion universal healthcare budget for 2026, only 0.14 percent (less than 1%) is dedicated to oral health.
Salary and Structural Reforms
To attract and retain dental professionals, the DOH is lobbying for:
- Pay Increases: Supporting pending legislation to raise entry-level government dentist pay from Salary Grade (SG) 13 (P36,125) to SG 17 (P49,562) to match private sector rates.
- Bureau Revival: The DOH seeks to revive the Oral Health Bureau to strengthen its position in budget negotiations and policy implementation.
Underutilized PhilHealth Benefits
Chiong also urged the public to utilize the PhilHealth outpatient dental benefit package approved in 2024. The package provides P1,000 per member for annual routine preventive services, including:
- Oral screening/mouth examination.
- Oral prophylaxis (cleaning).
- Fluoride varnish application.
The Whole-Body Connection
The DOH emphasized that oral health is not a standalone issue. “The health of the entire body—from head to toe—depends on it,” Chiong stated, noting that untreated dental issues can lead to complications in the heart and eyes.
The department’s appeal comes as a direct call to action for the national government to treat oral care as a pillar of the Universal Health Care program rather than a peripheral service, especially for those in remote and underserved areas.