Philippine Dental Act given 'more teeth'

Deputy House Speaker for the Visayas Raul del Mar yesterday said the House of Representatives ratified during its special session a proposed measure regulating the practice of dentistry.

House Bill 4848, as embodied in Senate Bill 2581, aims to upgrade the practice of dentistry as a profession to "keep pace with developments in its allied disciplines, and activities on the current focus of public health and safety."

The measure repeals Republic Act 4419, otherwise known as the Philippine Dental Act.

Del Mar said he and Rodriguez Dadivas of the first district of Capiz authored the bill that enumerates and defines the scope of the practice of dentists, dental hygienists and dental technologists.

Del Mar said the bill "gives more teeth" to the Philippine Dental Act, providing penalty on those who will practice dentistry, dental hygiene and dental technology in the country without certificate of registration and professional identification card or special permit.

Any person who will be found guilty of illegal practice of dentistry, dental hygiene and dental technology will be fined not less than P200,000 but not more than P500,000 or face two to five-year imprisonment or both.

According to Del Mar, the bill promotes the Continuing Professional Education Program for the enhancement of the dental profession. The bill likewise mandates the integration of registered dentists, dental hygienists and dental technologists into one accredited national organization.

It also provides for the registration of foreign dentists under the principle of foreign reciprocity. - Garry B. Lao