"Rationale of 2003 as Philippine Dentistry Centennial Year"

The mere fact that the "Dental Golden Jubilee" was commemorated in April of 1953 by the Philippine Dental Association, then led by Dr. Bienvenido B. Eraña and hosted by the Federation of the Dental Practitioners of the Philippines, an affiliate organization headed by Dr. Ermelo Vergel de Dios, is more than proof enough that the year 1903 is the beginning of Dentistry as an officially recognized profession in the Philippines, therfore making 2003 as the Centennial Year.

This is considering the decision of our respected elders and leaders of the dental profession, based on the passage of the First Dental Law by the Philippine Commission on January 10,1903.





 The following are photos (photocopy and actual) of the Certificate of Attendance of my late uncle, Dr. Gregorio Y. Rodriguez , who attended the celebration of the Dental Golden Jubilee in 1953.

Note:
*Dr. Bienvenido B. Eraña was elevated to the PDA Hall of Fame with a 4-year term as President (served in different years) and an internationally recognized dental leader.

*Dr. Ermelo Vergel de Dios- Former President of the Sociedad Dental de Filipinas before the war in the Pacific and President of the Philippine Dental Association (PDA) 1946-1947.

*The organizers of the Federation of Dental Practitioners of the Philippines in 1949, were the Deans of all the Private Dental Colleges and very reputable private practitioners at the time.