The Department of Health (DOH) has revealed that the Philippines is facing serious concerns regarding the insufficient number of dentists.

DOH Usec. Emmie Liza Chiong mentioned that the dentist-patient ratio in the Philippines is 1:53,000. Meaning, there is only 1 dentist for every 53,000 individuals.

“Actually, malaki po ang gap. Ang ating ratio for every 1 dentist ay 53,000 Filipinos.”

[“Actually, the gap is huge. Our ratio for every 1 dentist is 53,000 Filipinos.”]

This is completely different from the standard of the World Health Organization (WHO), which is 1 dentist per 7,000 individuals.

The key factors contributing to the shortage of dentists include insufficient funds for oral healthcare and compensation.

Hence, the health department calls the attention of the lawmakers to approve the proposed bill concerning a salary increase for dentists.

“Ang budget lang po ng oral health ay 800 million. If you check on it, roughly, nasa 0.14% lang ang budget ng oral health,” she added

[The budget allocated for oral health is only 800 million. If you check on it, roughly, the budget for oral health is only 0.14%.”]

Usec. Chiong calls for a budget increase to buy more supplies to maintain providing necessary services for the Filipinos, especially in remote areas.

With reports from Lalaine Moreno

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