"Historic Handshake"

 

 

 

The HANDSHAKE  between the Philippine Dental Association President DR. BIENVENIDO B. ERAÑA and PAMPANGA DENTAL SOCIETY President DR.GREGORIO Y. RODRIGUEZ was in March 17, 1963 after the Resolution of Reaffiliation with the PDA was approved by the Board of Directors of the Pampanga Dental Society in December 30, 1962.

( Photo's caption:  It was in March 17, 1963 during the Midyear Dental Seminar of the Pampanga Dental Society that the Re-affiliation Plaque was presented by PDA President DR. BIENVENIDO B. ERAÑA. Photo shows Dr. GREGORIO Y. RODRIGUEZ(right side) receiving the plaque in behalf of the Pampanga Dental Society from PDA President B.B. ERAÑA(left side). Others in the picture are PDS Past Presidents Drs. Alfredo Nacu, Sr, Tomas Layug Yuzon, Paulino Y. Gopez and Sofia Santos- Malonzo.)

* Please check older post "Re-affiliation of Pampanga Dental Society with PDA".

The Golden Anniversary of any entity only comes once every 50 years, and this is just as significant and memorable as the Centennial Year which the PDA celebrated in 2003, for the Centennial of Philippine Dentistry (hosted by the Pampanga Chapter in Oct.25, 2003) and 2008 for the Centennial of the Philippine Dental Association as our national organization.  Likewise, the Golden Jubilee celebration of Philippine Dentistry by the PDA was in April 1953 and hosted by the Federation of Dental Practitioners of the Philippines.

December 30, 2012 marks the 50^th anniversary of the PDA Pampanga Chapter’s Unity with the PDA. I chanced upon an original letter of invitation of 1962 PDA President Bienvenido B. Eraña to the Pampanga Dental Society, highly recommending their re- affiliation as a constituent chapter, and  Resolution dated Dec.30,1962 which amicably resolved the break in the relations between the Pampanga Dental Society and the Philippine Dental Association in connection with the Exchange Visitors Program Committee, Subcommittee for Dentists with regards to securing of permit for dentists to travel abroad.

 

 * Please check older post "Re-affiliation of Pampanga Dental Society with PDA".

The Nucleus of the Sociedad Dental de Filipinas

First  row, seated  left  to  right:  Dr. Francisco Astudillo,  Dr. Javier Arbizu,

Dr. Eusebio Castro,   Dr. Antonino Vergel de Dios, &  Dr. Regino Arevalo.

Second row, left to right: Dr. Nicolas Reyes, Dr. Miguel Ochoa, Dr. Juan Villanueva, Dr. Felix Calleja Urbina, Dr. Gregorio Mateo and Dr. Crispulo Layoc.

Note: This picture must have been taken in the year 1907. Dr. Mateo arrived in the Philippines from the United States of America on that year.

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.

"ORGANIZATIONAL MEETING" Sociedad Dental de Filipinas (1908)

First row seated left to right: Dr. Bonifacio Arevalo, Dr. Leon Reyes, Jose Arevalo – otherwise known as Capitan Chengcheng (guest, then 90 yrs of age), Dr. Carmen Fariñas & Dr. Antonio F. Oliveros.

Second row standing in the same order: Dr. Adolfo Perez, Dr. Manuel Farinas, Dr. Ramon Arevalo (the father of former Dean Miguel Arevalo of the MCU College of Dentistry), Dr. Conrado Martell, Dr. Juan Villanueva, & Dr. Juan Arevalo.

Third row standing in the same order: Dr. Louis Ottofy, Dr. Stephen, Dr. Atkinson Mitchell, and Dr. Javier Arbizu.

Note: Not included in the picture are Dr. Antonino Vergel de Dios, Dr. Catalina Arevalo (the first Filipino lady dentist) & Dr. Miguel dela Concepcion.

Unification of Philippine Dental Association (PDA)

DR. JOAQUIN C. LADAO, SR.

Philippine Dental Association

First President *(1945 to 1946)

*Elected President of the PDA, with the merger of the two leading dental organizations - the Sociedad Dental de Filipinas founded in 1908 and National Dental Association of the Philippine Islands founded in 1924, to form one unified national dental organization in 1945.     (The Centennial Year of the PDA as the national dental organization is 2008, based on the founding of the Sociedad Dental de Filipinas in 1908.)

                                          DR. BONIFACIO AREVALO

1^st President of Sociedad Dental de Filipinas

(1908)

                                             DR. FRANCISCO TECSON

1^st President of National Dental Association

of the Philippine Islands

(1924 - 1927)

My Warmest Welcome to All Filipino Dentists

 

 

 

 

 In writing down the articles on this valuable website for all the Filipino Dentists, it is of primary aim to make it a worthy document and reminder of our progressive profession. Several years from now, it will be comforting to leaf through its pages, seeking reminiscences from them and living them again in memory. There’s no opportune time than now to ponder on its past, present and future glories!

We only have one phalanx, solid and harmonious; each dedicated to and helping one another, engaged in individual and friendly competition with other members for the advancement of dentistry. Under the mantle of a common organization (PDA), which acts as a clearing house for dental information and knowledge, the individual members are able to act in unison not only for the promotion of their common interest and the improvement of their professional knowledge but also in the performance of their primary role to the advancement of public health.

One thing is sure: the status of the Philippine Dental Profession is something we can all be proud of. And whatever we have accomplished in the past, we have done it towards the direction of a better Philippine Dentistry. It is for our up-and-coming generation of dentists to meet these challenges and maintain or even exceed others in this pursuit for progress.

This is the dream of our respected elders, that we heal wounds and resolve differences, form and pledge allegiances to one confraternity, and under a common banner, advance the frontiers of dentistry in the country.

It is a distinct pleasure for me to express my warmest welcome to all my fellow Filipino Dentists who check this site. Let us take stock of the prestige, accomplishments and pioneering spirit of everyone, with the noble mission on our march toward the primary goal of service to humanity and our people.

The Philippine Dental Act of 2007: Overview and Key Provisions

Introduction:

A seven-man Legislation Committee with proven leadership capabilities was appointed on July 6,2004 to review the proposed amendments to the "Philippine Dental Act of 1965" and the passage of a revised and new Dental Act. The committee headed by DR. DIAMPO J. LIM ( Former DEAN UE College of Dentistry & PDA Past President) had Six Members namely:

1) DR.AURELIO B. RAMOS, JR.- Former DEAN UP College of Dentistry & Past Chairman Board of Dentistry;
2) DR. VICTOR R. VALDEZ- Past Speaker PDA House of Delegates;
3) DR. PRIMO E. GONZALEZ-  Former Chairman Board of Dentistry & PDA Past President;
4) DR.ANTONIO A. BALDEMOR- Former Chairman Board of Dentistry
5) DR. NORMAN R. SONGCO- CHAIRMAN, 100 years of  PHILIPPINE DENTISTRY; and
6) DR. HERMOGENES P. VILLAREAL-  PDA Past President

 

The Dental Act of 1965 had been enforced for  more than four decades and certainly amendments were imperative to update and upgrade its provisions to make it conform with the present day realities and standards, and to keep pace with the current developments and activities of the profession and its allied disciplines.

 
Fortunately, a new and entirely revised Dental Act was passed and approved during during the Third Special Sessions of the Thirteenth Congress of the Philippines and signed into law by President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo on June 02, 2007, as  Republic Act No. 9484, and came to be known as the Philippine Dental Act of 2007.
R.A. No. 9484, is now in force and operation, and repeals R. A. No. 4419, known as the Philippine Dental Act of 1965, and R. A. No. 768 or the Philippine Dental Hygienists Law. The new Dental Act provides for the regulation, control, and supervision of the practice of dentistry, dental hygiene, and dental technology in the Philippines. This includes the giving of their  respective licensure examinations for the purpose of registration, the accreditation of various specialties of Dentistry, and the promotion and development of continuing Dental Education and Research in the country, and the enforcement of Code of Ethics and Code of Dental Practice in the Philippines.
In lieu of the erstwhile Board of Dental Examiners, renamed Board of Dentistry, the new law created a Professional Regulatory Board of Dentistry under the administrative control and supervision of the Professional Regulation Commission(PRC), composed of a Chairman and four members who shall be appointed by the President. The Board shall be vested with all the powers and functions necessary to carry out the objectives of this present law.
The penal provision for violation of this act, stipulates a fine of not less than Two Hundred Thousand Pesos (P200,000.00), nor more than Five Hundred Thousand Pesos (P500,000.00), or to suffer the imprisonment for a period of not less than Two Years and one day, nor more than Five years, or both, in the discretion of the court.
Over the years of eager waiting, at last through the untiring efforts of the Philippine Dental Association and with the cooperation of the Congress of the Philippines, a Dental Act with its provisions more attuned to the prevailing state of the current times, was realized now in force and effect.

 

The Philippine Dental Act of 2007 is a legislation that regulates the practice of dentistry, dental hygiene, and dental technology in the Philippines. It replaces the Philippine Dental Act of 1965 (R.A. No. 4419) and the Philippine Dental Hygienists Law (R.A. No. 768). The new Dental Act aims to ensure the quality and safety of dental services provided to the public by establishing standards and guidelines for dental professionals.

 

One of the key provisions of the Dental Act is the requirement for dental professionals to obtain a license in order to practice dentistry, dental hygiene, or dental technology. The act mandates the creation of licensure examinations specific to each field, which individuals must pass in order to be registered as licensed practitioners. This ensures that only qualified individuals with the necessary knowledge and skills are allowed to provide dental services.

 

The Dental Act also includes provisions for the accreditation of various specialties within dentistry. This allows dentists to pursue further education and training in specific areas such as orthodontics, periodontics, or oral surgery. Accreditation ensures that dentists who claim to be specialists have undergone additional training and have met certain competency standards.

 

Furthermore, the Dental Act emphasizes the importance of continuing dental education and research in the country. It promotes the development of programs and initiatives that aim to enhance the knowledge and skills of dental professionals. This focus on continuing education ensures that practitioners stay updated with advancements in dental techniques, technologies, and research findings.

 

In addition to regulating the practice of dentistry, dental hygiene, and dental technology, the Dental Act also enforces a Code of Ethics and a Code of Dental Practice in the Philippines. These codes provide guidelines for professional conduct and ethical behavior for all registered dental professionals. They outline principles such as patient confidentiality, informed consent, integrity, and professionalism.

 

Establishment of the Professional Regulatory Board of Dentistry

The Act created a Professional Regulatory Board of Dentistry, which operates under the Professional Regulation Commission (PRC). The board consists of a Chairman and four members appointed by the President. This new regulatory body is responsible for carrying out the objectives of the Act and ensuring the proper regulation of dental practice in the Philippines.

 

Penal Provisions for Violations

The Act imposes stringent penalties for those who violate its provisions. Violators can face a fine of not less than Two Hundred Thousand Pesos (P200,000.00) nor more than Five Hundred Thousand Pesos (P500,000.00), or suffer imprisonment for a period of not less than Two Years and one day, nor more than Five years, or both, depending on the discretion of the court.

 

Overall, the Philippine Dental Act of 2007 plays a crucial role in ensuring that dental services in the country are provided by qualified and competent professionals. It aims to protect the public by setting standards for dental practice, promoting continuing education and research, and enforcing ethical behavior among dental professionals.