FEBRUARY 10, 2026 — The Department of Health (DOH) is finally putting its foot down: dental clinics across the country will soon need official licenses to operate. The move, announced by DOH Undersecretary Emmie Liza Chiong, is meant to protect Filipinos from bogus facilities that put patients at risk. After all, how many of us have heard horror stories of shady dental procedures gone wrong?

Chiong explained that the licensing push is anchored on the Universal Health Care (UHC) Act, which recognizes oral health as part of primary care. 

“So ngayon, isinusulong natin ang licensing ng dental facilities, in line with the UHC Act, na magiging bahagi ng primary care ang oral health. Kapag ito ay na-approve within this month, matatalaga na kung alin ang mga lehitimong dental facilities,” she said in an interview. 

(So now, we are pushing for the licensing of dental facilities, in line with the UHC Act, which will make oral health part of primary care. If this is approved within the month, it will determine which facilities are legitimate.)

Here’s the catch: dentists will not be allowed to practice without an accredited facility. That means no more makeshift clinics tucked in corners of malls or residential areas without proper oversight. 

“Natural po na ang dentista ay hindi makakapag-practice without the facility. Makikita natin kung alin ang lehitimo at ligtas puntahan. Magkakaroon na ng license to operate, katulad ng mga ospital,” Chiong added. 

(Naturally, dentists cannot practice without the facility. We will see which ones are legitimate and safe to visit. They will have a license to operate, just like hospitals.)

But the bigger issue here is resources. The DOH admits its oral health program is severely underfunded. 

“We are calling for a bigger budget for oral health. Napakaliit at limitado talaga ang resources ng department para dito (Our resources for oral health are very limited),” Chiong said. 

The department is even reviving the Oral Health Bureau to strengthen its budget advocacy.

And then there’s the glaring shortage of dentists. Right now, the Philippines has one dentist for every 53,000 Filipinos. Compare that to the World Health Organization’s recommendation of one dentist for every 7,500 people. Imagine the waiting lines, the neglected cavities, the untreated gum diseases. 

Bills to increase dentists’ salary grades are pending in Congress, but will that be enough to attract more professionals into the field?

Do you think licensing alone will solve the problem, or is this just the first step in a much bigger overhaul of how we treat oral health in the country? 

We deserve safe, affordable, and accessible dental care. It’s about time we bite into real reform!

(Image: Philippine News Agency)