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Service providers wanted for dental care package

By Sally Atento-Altea


LEGAZPI CITY --- The Philippine Health Insurance Corp. (PhilHealth) encourages healthcare facilities and professionals to apply for accreditation as service providers for the new primary care benefits for the mouth.


Emmanuel Ledesma Jr., PhilHealth president and CEO, introduced the preventive oral health services package during a recent media orientation.


This package is part of the state-run firm’s Konsultasyong Sulit at Tama (Konsulta) program.


With this new dental package, PhilHealth members and their qualified dependents can avail themselves of annual routine preventive oral care services, such as mouth examination or oral screening, dental prophylaxis or cleaning, and fluoride varnish application.


Pit and fissure sealant and other procedures for a maximum of two teeth are also covered. Emergency tooth extractions and dental consultations will also be part of the benefit package.


Ledesma noted that this initiative is aligned with the Philippine vision for “Ngiting 70-20,” which aims to ensure Filipinos have at least 20 permanent teeth by age 70.


Leri Ilagan, PhilHealth’s information officer for Bicol, said that new and existing public and private Konsulta service providers in the region will be accredited to ensure readiness to offer these benefits.


Service providers will receive a maximum payment of P1,000 per patient. This amount includes P300 for the first visit, which covers oral screening, cleaning, and fluoride varnish application; P300 for a second visit, provided at least four months after the first; and P200 per tooth for either a pit and fissure sealant or a Class V procedure, with a maximum of two per year.


Government facilities will offer these services at no cost while dentists in private facilities may charge a maximum copayment of P1,500 per visit for mouth examinations and dental cleaning, P600 for pit and fissure sealants or Class V procedures, and P600 for emergency tooth extractions.


Dr. Lulu Ramos-Santiago, the Department of Health’s oral health program coordinator for Bicol, commended the new package as a “great move” toward improving access to oral health care services and ensuring quality standards.


Jake Belchez, a resident of Malilipot, Albay, expressed his appreciation for the initiative.


“It’s great that PhilHealth is now focusing on dental health. While dental issues may not be as life-threatening as other illnesses, they affect many people, and the cost often deters them from seeking care,” he said.


Angela Almeña, a government employee in Legazpi City, echoed Belchez’s sentiment.


“I’ll avail myself of the benefit to maximize my mandatory Philhealth contribution,” she said. “It’s been years since I had my last dental check-up.” (With reports from Raiza Lucido/PIA5/Albay)


PhilHealth members and their qualified dependents can avail themselves of dental care services through the new Preventive Oral Health Services Package. (Photo from DOH - CHD Bicol)
PhilHealth members and their qualified dependents can avail themselves of dental care services through the new Preventive Oral Health Services Package. (Photo from DOH - CHD Bicol)

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