The Philippines, celebrated for its rich culture and the friendly smiles of its people, is facing a widespread dental health issue. Many Filipinos suffer from preventable dental problems, which impact both their health and productivity.
The World Health Organization’s 2022 Philippine Country Oral Health Profile reveals that nearly 30% of children aged 5 and older experience dental decay, leading to chronic pain and affecting their academic performance. For adults, 7.5% have lost all their teeth, damaging their self-esteem and job prospects. These dental issues also have a significant economic cost, with oral diseases contributing to an estimated PHP 47.984 billion (roughly USD 825 million) in annual losses due to lost workdays, medical bills, and preventable treatments.
To combat this, the Philippine government, through the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth), has introduced a dental care initiative aimed at making preventive dental services both accessible and affordable for all Filipinos. The program focuses on prevention, rather than expensive restorative treatments.
At the Kapihan sa Bagong Pilipinas forum, Dr. Bernadette C. Lico, Vice President of PhilHealth Regional Office NCR and Rizal, revealed that each PhilHealth member will now receive PHP 1,000 annually for preventive dental care. This initiative allows access to essential procedures designed to prevent more severe dental problems.
The package provides two dental visits per year, spaced four months apart. Each visit costs PHP 300 and includes a full dental exam, professional cleaning, and fluoride varnish application. The second visit, also priced at PHP 300, focuses on follow-up care. The remaining PHP 400 can be used for additional services such as dental sealants or emergency extractions.
