By Leilanie G. Adriano
Staff reporter
BATAC CITY—Some Ilocanos living in far flung areas with limited access to oral health may now avail of free dental services courtesy of the Provincial Health Office (PHO).
The mobile health dental bus cum clinic—started serving patients on August 4, 2016 at Brgy. Tabug in this city.
The air-conditioned mobile dental health bus is equipped with dental chairs and tools, lighting, and other dental facilities. The Dept. of Health donated the dental health bus.
On its maiden service, two dentists, PHO’s Dr. Eva Candelaria and Batac Rural Health Office’s Dr. Estrella Siroet worked in tandem to serve at least 12 patients here.
According to Ms. Candelaria, the dental van is moving along with the Capitol Express team of the provincial government, where they provide dental check-up and services to those who could not afford a private dentist.
Implemented under the Health Facility Enhancement Program (HFEP), the DOH aims to address the prevalence of dental diseases in the country by providing mobile dental clinics with equipment to provinces and other local government units (LGUs) to ensure the accessibility of quality dental health services to all Filipino citizens, especially those who are underprivileged.
DOH studies show that the prevalence of dental diseases nationwide continues to be high, starting from childhood but the ratio of dentists to patients remains relatively low with a ratio of 1:48,000-50,000.
Under a deed of donation between the province and DOH, the province will ensure that the mobile dental clinic is utilized in accordance with its purpose.