August 16, 2023
Ms. Rose Novenario
Dyaryo Tirada
Subject: An Urgent Call to Action: The Overlooked Struggles of Filipino Dentists
Dear Ma’am,
I write to you as a representative voice of many dental practitioners in the Philippines, humbly seeking your esteemed platform’s attention and assistance to bring to light an urgent matter that threatens not only our professional autonomy but also the very essence of dental care in our nation.
Kindly allow me to introduce myself, I am, Dr. Mary Jean Villanueva-Galindez, an ordinary retired dentist, who has spent my more than 30 years of experience in every aspect of dental practice. I am currently, the CEO of Grand Switch Corp. that offers hybrid skills training for dentists under the brand of DMD cEnter to hopefully provide choices for dentists to hone their dental skills and connect them to well-renowned and experienced local and international dental mentors as they decide whether they will now undergo University or Formal training here (if available) or abroad. I am very passionate about education because even disabled due to medical practice of a physician when I was 2 1/2 years old I am able to achieve many things in my profession and even became a local and international speaker in the field of Advance Restorative Dentistry. Thus, I can not just ignore the continuous onslaught of hindering dental professionals here to become the best they can be to serve our very own Filipino citizens.
On August 4, the Board of Dentistry, an arm of the PRC, issued PRBOD Resolution #13. This resolution, at face value, pertains to two specialized fields – Surgery and Facial Aesthetics. However, it raises alarms as it ambitiously redefines “what is a dentist” under RA 9484 or the Dental Act of 2007. Astonishingly, this redefinition and its broader implications appear to bypass the legislative due process of Congress and expounding their power or functions including the ability to impose imprisonment to those who will be against this.
Without casting unwarranted aspersions on the Board, the manner in which this resolution has been executed, and its potential repercussions, are deeply concerning. For years, dental practitioners have been under the duress of various organizational bodies that seem more interested in consolidation of power rather than the holistic advancement of dental care in the Philippines. It’s a haunting reality where the threat of losing one’s license overshadows our primary mission – to provide top-tier dental care to our fellow countrymen. That’s why many are even afraid to sign the petition I created to request to the Board of Dentistry for this resolution go through proper process, even to the point of just liking the videos I created as I explain to them what this Resolution # 13 is truly all about. I will attached on this letter a copy this said resolution and the playlist I created for this subject.
We beseech your media platform to investigate, discuss, and bring awareness to:
- The Implications of PRBOD Resolution #13: We advocate for a halt on this resolution, urging that concerns surrounding RA 9484 are thoroughly debated in Congress. A diverse representation of dental practitioners, not just figures from the PDA or the Board of Dentistry, must be included, to make sure it represents majority of dentists without their own personal agenda.
- Unaddressed Concerns Hampering Our Profession: From obscure HMO policies, untransparent membership fee allocations, to CPD regulations that appear restrictive than educative, and other rules and regulations that supposedly should bring order to our profession and for the safety of patients be used subjectively rather than objectively, that becomes the gateway for corruption and/or abuse of power of the very governing bodies that’s supposed to regulate and protect us under the law. These issues need a spotlight, so the public understands the hidden challenges we face daily.
The trajectory we’re on paints a grim picture where quality dental care becomes an expensive luxury, out of reach for many.
Moreover, the lack of genuine representation and advocacy may drive our skilled dentists to seek greener pastures abroad, further depleting our nation of its skilled professionals.
Time is of the essence. With less than three days to address this pressing concern, I fervently request an opportunity to meet and discuss this issue further with your team. It is my ardent hope that, with your help, the dental profession in the Philippines can aspire to global standards and that our citizens enjoy the benefits of this progress.
Thank you for your consideration. I await your kind response.
Dr. Mary Jean Villanueva-Galindez
Dentist
RESOURCES;
Signature Petition for Motion of Reconsideration to the BOD: