Senator Raffy Tulfo has raised concerns about the state of dental health services in the country.
During yesterday’s (Nov. 14) deliberations of the Senate Committee on Finance for the proposed 2025 budget of the Department of Health (DOH), Tulfo asked the DOH about the status of the Bureau of Dental Health Services, which is responsible for promoting and protecting the dental health of Filipinos.
“Bagama’t may mga polisiya ang DOH hinggil sa pangangalaga ng dental health, mas maigi pa rin kung magkakaroon ng isang departamento sa ilalim ng DOH na nakatutok lamang sa dental care ng bawat Pinoy,” the senator said.
He pointed out that tooth decay is becoming a widespread issue, citing statistics from the Philippine Dental Association that around 72 percent of the population suffers from tooth decay.
In a previous Committee on Health hearing, Tulfo had urged PhilHealth President and CEO Emmanuel Ledesma Jr. to provide free basic dental care for all PhilHealth members, especially senior citizens, persons with disabilities, and minimum wage earners.
PhilHealth responded swiftly to Tulfo’s recommendation, announcing on October 2 that oral check-ups and teeth cleaning would now be free for PhilHealth members. This new dental package is set to be rolled out in December 2024.
But, Tulfo stressed that the package should also include free dentures, particularly since many senior citizens lose their teeth as they age.IMT
