FIRST Philippine National Dental Health Week .

 The NATIONAL DENTAL HEALTH WEEK in the Philippines was celebrated for the FIRST TIME in Feb 3, 1951 in accordance with President ELPIDIO QUIRINO’S  Proclamation No.235 issued in January 24,1951. 

Appropriate exercises marked the nationwide observance of the National Dental Health Week which lasted up to Feb.9,1951. An executive committee was created to take charge of the various phases of the celebration whose main purpose is to arouse the dental health consciousness of the people.

Chairman of the executive committee was Rep. RICARDO Y. LADRIDO of the 4th district of Iloilo. 

 In Feb.3,1951, a radio program was held at station DZFM from 8:30 to8:45 pm with Rep. Ricardo Ladrido & Dr. Juan S. Salcedo, Secretary of Health, as Guest Speaker.

 Rep. Ricardo Ladrido in his capacity as Chairman of the Executive Committee, stated that the observance of the National Dental Health Week "should spur us on to greater efforts to place the dental profession among the vanguards of those responsible forces working for a greater and happier Philippines."

Secretary of Health Juan Salcedo Jr.message as follows:

Cognizant of the importance of Dental Education and care to insure the vigor and health of the nation, the administration has included in its health program the extension of dental services to as many people as possible. The celebration of the National Dental Health Week therefore is not only fitting but necessary in order to stimulate public interest on the value of dental health- an important factor in the successful prosecution of our dental health program- which would mean in the long run, the happiness and well being of the nation.

The vice chairmen were: Drs. Pedro A. Bañez, Bienvenido B. Eraña & Ermelo Vergel de Dios. The secretary general was then Chairman of the Board if Dental Examiners Dr. Germanico A. Carreon. The members of the executive committee were: Drs. Eladio Aldecoa, Lorenzo Almeda, Felix Angeles, Miguel Arevalo, Diosdado Carpio, Donato R. Dionisio, Cayetano Eustaquio, Lt.Col. Miguel Fernandez, Drs. Moises G. Bartolome, J.Nilo Gonzalez, Pablo Ilano, Joaquin Ladao, Ricardo T. Laviña, Juana A.Murillo, Julio Nacu, Gaudencio R. Ocampo, Francisco Ramirez, Jose L. Referente, Antonio Riego, Facundo G. Rojas, Castro del Rosario, Cecilia T. Sison, Lucio Tapia, Faustino F. Turla, Victorino G. Villa, J. Horacio Yanzon & Lt.Col. Agustin Zarate, Diosdado Sabando, Alfonso Salcedo, Concepcion Gutierrez, Genaro Felizardo.

Adviser of the committee was Dr.Gervasio Eraña, then Chairman of the Board of Dental Examiners. Dr. Juan S. Salcedo, the Secretary of Health, was unanimously elected Honorary Chairman at a meeting of the Executive Committeee held Feb. 1st at the office of the Health Secretary.

Dental and scientific films were shown to the public in Metro Manila. In the morning of Feb.9,1951, a mass offered by the Lady Dentists' Association of the Philippines was held at San Beda Chapel. In the evening, a radio program with President Quirino as Guest of Honor climaxed the observance of the week. A banquet was held with Vice President Fernando Lopez as Guest of Honor.

 

The following is the Proclamation No. 235, s. 1951

Signed on January 24, 1951

MALACAÑAN PALACE

MANILA

BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE PHILIPPINES

PROCLAMATION NO. 235

DECLARING THE PERIOD FROM FEBRUARY 3 TO 9 OF EVERY YEAR AS NATIONAL DENTAL HEALTH WE

WHEREAS, the dental profession plays a vital role in the maintenance of a healthy citizenry;

WHEREAS, one of the greatest obstacles encountered by the dental profession in its mission of health service is the people’s lack of appreciation of the importance of dental hygiene; and

WHEREAS, to enable the dental profession to carry out its mission more effectively, it is necessary to arouse dental health consciousness among the people;

NOW, THEREFORE, I, Elpidio Quirino, President of the Philippines, by virtue of the powers vested in me by law, do hereby declare the period from February 3 to 9 of every year as National Dental Health Week.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and caused the seal of the Republic of the Philippines to be affixed.

Done in the City of Manila, this 24th day of January, in the year of Our Lord, nineteen hundred and fifty-one, and of the Independence of the Philippines, the fifth.

-ELPIDIO QUIRINO

President of the Philippines

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The Philippine Dental Health Month is observed every February. This annual observance started in 1951 as National Dental Health Week but in February 24, 2004, it was expanded into a month-long celebration, pursuant to Presidential Proclamation No. 559 signed by  President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo.  The observance aims to strengthen public awareness on the importance of good oral health. It encourages dentists, students, relevant government agencies, and professional organizations to reach out to more people especially those in the countryside with no access to dental services.