By Liza Soriano
MANILA — Senator Raffy Tulfo emphasized the need for a dedicated department focused on dental health, tasked with promoting dental care for all Filipinos.
“Although the Department of Health (DOH) has policies regarding dental health, it would be better to have a separate department under the DOH that focuses solely on the dental care of every Filipino,” Tulfo said Thursday (14 Nov 22024).
The senator pointed out that more Filipinos are suffering from tooth decay, citing data from the Philippine Dental Association, which reveals that approximately 72 percent of the population is affected.
During a Senate Committee on Health hearing on July 30, Tulfo urged PhilHealth President and CEO Emmanuel Ledesma Jr. to make basic dental carefree for all.
In response, PhilHealth acted on Tulfo’s recommendation, announcing that oral check-ups and teeth cleaning (oral prophylaxis) are now free for its members.
However, Tulfo stressed that dentures should also be included in the dental package, especially for senior citizens who often lose their teeth by the age of 70.
“Next year, we should have a comprehensive dental health service coverage for Filipinos under PhilHealth,” Tulfo concluded.
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