First Board of Dental Examiners of the Philippine Islands

Left to Right: DR. ANTONINO VERGEL DE DIOS,  DR. ROBERT T. OLIVER AND DR. WALLACE G. SKIDMORE

On January 10, 1903, by authority of the United States, the Philippine Commission put into effect Act No. 593 or the “First Dental Law” entitled “An Act Regulating the Practice of Dentistry in the Philippine Islands”. This Act empowered the Commissioner of the Health, Major E.C. Carter of the United States Medical Department, to appoint the members of the first Board of Dental Examiners. Accordingly, he named Robert T. Oliver, DDS, Antonio Vergel de Dios, DDS and Wallace G. Skidmore, DDS to this board on February 17, 1903, in the office of Dr. Skidmore, at 76 Escolta, at 5:00 pm. At this meeting, Dr. Vergel de Dios (only Filipino member) was designated as temporary chairman. At that first meeting, Dr. Oliver was elected president, after which Dr. Vergel de Dios turned over the chair to Dr. Oliver and continued with the election of a secretary-treasurer which was given to Dr. Skidmore.