MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Health (DOH) has raised alarm over what it described as a critical shortage of dentists nationwide, warning that the imbalance between the number of dental professionals and the country’s population is leaving millions of Filipinos without proper oral health care.

DOH Undersecretary Emmie Perez revealed in a radio interview that the current dentist-to-population ratio stands at 1 dentist for every 53,000 Filipinos, far below the World Health Organization’s recommended ratio of 1 dentist per 7,500 people. 

“Napakataas po ng kailangang habulin ng isang dentista which we cannot do at this moment… Pinagsusumikapan po namin na matugunan pero hindi kaya po,” Perez said, noting that structural changes in the health system have worsened service gaps.

The shortage has contributed to alarming oral health statistics. A national survey showed that 92.4 percent of Filipinos suffer from tooth decay, while 78 percent have gum disease. Health officials emphasized that nine out of ten Filipino children are affected by dental problems, underscoring the urgent need for more accessible and affordable dental services.

The DOH is lobbying for a bigger oral health budget and higher salaries for government dentists to attract more professionals into public service. “It is difficult for the government to attract dentists because their salaries are very low. That is why we are lobbying for a salary increase,” Perez explained.

In addition, the department is pushing for the licensing of dental clinics to ensure that only legitimate facilities operate, protecting patients from unqualified practitioners. It is also promoting PhilHealth’s Oral Health Preventive Package, which was approved in late 2024 but remains underutilized due to limited public awareness.

Officials stressed that oral health is an integral part of overall well-being and must be recognized as a primary care service under the Universal Health Care Act. The DOH said it will continue to strengthen programs and policies to close the gap, but acknowledged that without significant investment and systemic reforms, the shortage of dentists will remain a pressing national health concern.

This development highlights the growing urgency for oral health reforms in the Philippines, as the country grapples with one of the highest rates of dental disease in Asia.