MANILA, Philippines — For many Filipinos, a simple toothache is not just painful. It is stressful, expensive, and sometimes impossible to treat.

According to the Department of Health (DOH), the country is facing a serious dental health crisis.

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The Real Problem: Too Few Dentists

Right now, the Philippines has:

1 dentist for every 53,000 Filipinos

The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends:

1 dentist for every 7,500 people

That is a huge gap.

Even more alarming:
9 out of 10 Filipino children have tooth decay or dental problems.

This means most children grow up with untreated cavities.

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Why Is There a Shortage?

1. Low Government Salary

A government dentist earns around:

Salary Grade 13 — approximately ₱36,125 per month

Compare that to:

• Private clinics (higher income potential)

• Working abroad (5–10 times higher salary)

Because of this, many dentists choose to:

• Work in private practice

• Move abroad

• Leave public service

This is often called “brain drain.”

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Are Dentists Leaving the Country?

Yes.

Countries like the United States, Canada, Australia, United Kingdom, and United Arab Emirates offer much higher pay and better working conditions.

Meanwhile, only about 2,400 dentists work in the public sector nationwide.

The Philippines trains dentists — but many do not stay.

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Another Big Issue: Not Enough Dental Schools

There are only 34 dental schools in the entire country.

Almost one-third are located in:

Metro Manila

This means students from regions like:

• BARMM

• MIMAROPA

• Bicol Region

have very limited access to dental education.

If a student cannot afford to study in Manila, they may never become a dentist.

The shortage starts even before graduation.

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What Is the Government Doing?

The DOH is trying several solutions:

1. Reviving the Oral Health Bureau

A stronger office focused only on oral health may increase funding and support.

2. Increasing Government Salary

There are proposals to raise the salary grade of public dentists, but these are still pending in Congress.

3. PhilHealth Dental Benefit

PhilHealth now offers up to ₱1,000 per year for:

• Oral exam

• Cleaning

• Fluoride treatment

• Emergency extraction

However, many Filipinos do not know this benefit exists.

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Why Oral Health Is Important

Dental problems are not just about teeth.

Untreated infections can lead to:

• Heart disease

• Eye complications

• Severe infections

When dental care is delayed, small problems become emergencies.

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The Hard Truth

The Philippines needs more dentists.

But unless:

• Salaries improve

• Education expands to provinces

• Public awareness increases

The crisis will continue.

We train dentists.
Many leave.
Those who stay struggle with limited resources.
Meanwhile, millions of Filipinos still wait for care.

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Looking for a Dentist?

If you need dental care, visit our directory listing to find a trusted clinic near you.

Early treatment saves money, time, and pain.

 

 

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