ILOILO — Aiming to make oral health a national priority rather than an afterthought, the Department of Health (DOH) in Western Visayas is intensifying its campaign through the #Ngiting7020 program — an initiative now backed by a groundbreaking PhilHealth benefit package for preventive oral health services.
At the heart of this drive is the goal to ensure that by age 70, every Filipino retains at least 20 natural, healthy, and functional teeth.
But the program goes beyond smiles — it links oral care with the prevention of chronic illnesses such as heart disease, diabetes, and malnutrition.
“Let us not normalize ‘bunot’ and ‘pustiso,’ which are both preventable, as well as oral diseases like cavities and gum diseases,” said DOH Region 6 director Dr. Annabelle Yumang. “People can avail themselves of Routine Preventive Oral Care (RPOC) in all accredited PhilHealth Konsulta Providers that includes twice a year oral screening, oral prophylaxis or cleaning, fluoride varnish application and pit and fissure sealant (children) or root surface protection (adult), maximum of two teeth per year, to maintain good oral health.”
The integration of oral health into universal health care received a major boost with the issuance of PhilHealth Circular 2024-0034, published in December 2024. The circular introduces a new benefit package for preventive oral health services in primary care — making oral check-ups, cleanings, and fluoride applications accessible to all PhilHealth members and minimizing out-of-pocket expenses.
Through this policy, the DOH aims to normalize preventive visits instead of emergency treatments, especially in underserved communities where dental care remains limited.
The #Ngiting7020 program, in partnership with local government units, public health dentists, schools, and community groups, promotes oral health awareness and provides preventive care. It also invites public and private dental clinics to become PhilHealth Konsulta Providers to expand service reach.
The DOH further encourages families to take part in the campaign by observing simple but consistent oral hygiene habits — brushing twice daily with fluoride toothpaste, avoiding sugary foods, quitting smoking, limiting alcohol consumption, and visiting the dentist regularly.
“With our collective action, we can make the #Ngiting7020 vision a reality — a future where every Filipino, young and old, can smile with confidence, pride, dignity, and good health that every Filipino deserves,” Yumang said./PN
