Creation and Composition of the Board of Dental Examiners
- Board of Dental Examiners composed of three members appointed by the Secretary of Health.
- One member designated as chairman.
- Members must possess qualifications as prescribed by law.
Powers and Authorities of the Board
- Authority to administer oaths.
- Issue, suspend, revoke, or reissue certificates of registration for dentists.
- Investigate violations of the Act.
- Issue summons, subpoenas to violators and witnesses.
- Inspect dental schools and establishments.
- Maintain ethical and technical standards in the profession.
- Recommend measures for professional advancement and enforcement of the Act.
Qualifications for Board Members
- Filipino citizenship and residency.
- Holder of Doctor of Dental Medicine or Doctor of Dental Surgery degree from reputable institutions.
- At least 30 years old.
- Registered dentist with at least five years of practice.
- Not a faculty member or financially interested in any dental school.
Term of Office and Administration
- Board members serve for three years or until successors are appointed.
- First Board members have staggered terms of 1, 2, and 3 years.
- Commissioner of Civil Service serves as executive officer of the Board.
- Secretary of Board keeps minutes, records, and exam papers.
Compensation and Removal of Board Members
- Members receive fees not exceeding ten pesos per examinee.
- Secretary of Health may remove members for neglect, incompetence, irregularities, or unprofessional conduct after due process.
Rule-Making and Reporting
- Board may adopt necessary rules with Secretary of Health approval.
- Annual reports submitted to the Secretary of Health detailing Board activities and recommendations.
Practice Regulation: Certification Required
- No person shall practice dentistry without a valid certificate issued by the Board.
- Defines practice of dentistry including operations on the mouth, teeth, jaws, and surrounding tissues.
- Exempts dental artisans, students under supervision, dental hygienists within legal limits, and licensed physicians.
Examination Requirements and Scheduling
- Examinations conducted twice yearly, June and December, typically in Manila or other designated places.
- All applicants must take the examination unless specifically exempt.
Qualifications for Examination
- Must be a Filipino citizen, at least 21 years old, and of good moral character.
- Completed four-year high school or equivalent prerequisite.
- Dental Student's Entrance Certificate required after two years from law approval.
- Graduated from accredited institutions offering specified dental subjects.
- School accreditation criteria include incorporation, course standards, and governmental authorization.
Examination Scope and Procedure
- Written and practical examinations covering comprehensive dental subjects.
- Examination schedules published and approved by Secretary of Health.
Reporting and Issuance of Certificates
- Board reports candidate ratings to Civil Service and then to Secretary of Health for approval within 60 days.
- Certificates issued upon satisfactory examination and payment of fees.
- Certificates display registrant's name, number, signatures, and official seals.
- Certificates confer legal rights and privileges while valid.
Exemptions from Registration
- Dental surgeons of foreign armed forces on duty and foreign dentists temporarily called for consultation are exempt.
Fees
- Examination fee: 50 pesos.
- Registration fee: 10 pesos.
Grounds for Refusal to Issue Certificates
- Conviction for crimes involving moral turpitude.
- Immoral or dishonorable conduct.
- Unsound mind or communicable diseases.
- Written reasons for refusal must be recorded.
Suspension and Revocation of Registration
- Grounds include unprofessional conduct, malpractice, incompetence, fraud, habitual intoxication, employing unauthorized persons, deceit, false advertising.
- Board decisions on suspension or revocation are appealable to Secretary of Health.
Reissuance and Replacement of Certificates
- Certificates may be reinstated after five years post-revocation subject to Board discretion.
- Fees: 10 pesos for reissue after revocation; 5 pesos for replacing lost/damaged certificates.
Penal Provisions and Prohibitions
- Unregistered practice, falsification, impersonation, fake certificates, unauthorized use of dental titles are misdemeanors.
- Penalties range from fines (1,000 to 5,000 pesos) to imprisonment (1 to 5 years) or both.
Display Requirements
- Registered dentists must conspicuously display their name, certificate of registration, and certificate of health at their place of practice.
- Dental office proprietors must display names and certificates of all practicing dentists.
Foreign Reciprocity
- Foreign dentists may practice only if reciprocal rights are granted to Filipino dentists in their country.
Enforcement and Legal Support
- Enforcement duties assigned to all law enforcement officers.
- Secretary of Justice provides legal advice and assistance to the Board.
Non-Affectation of Other Professions
- The Act does not affect or prevent the practice of other legally established professions in the Philippines.
Appropriations and Repeal of Conflicting Laws
- Appropriates two thousand pesos from the National Treasury for the Act's implementation.
- Repeals any laws or regulations conflicting with this Act on dentistry practice.
Effectivity
- The Act takes effect immediately upon approval.