February is now officially declared Bacolod Dental Health Month

In an ordinance approved on third and final reading last December 17, 2025 authored by Councilor Wilson Gamboa, Jr., the Bacolod City Sangguninag Panlungsod has officially declared the month of February of every year as “Bacolod City Dental Health Month,” coinciding said observance with the nationwide celebration of National Dental Health Month.

This Gamboa authored ordinance, known as the “Bacolod City Dental Health Month Celebration Ordinance,” aims to promote good dental health, prevent dental caries (tooth decay) and other dental health problems among children and adults and likewise, conduct annual activities that can effectively arouse consciousness among people to promote oral health by providing programs and activities, training, and support through Bacolod City Health Office (CHO)-Dental Division and other agencies.

These activities, under this ordinance, will be led by the City Health Office (CHO)–Dental Division, in coordination with other government agencies and all 61 barangays of Bacolod City and to be appropriated an annual budget of P500,000.00 by the City Government of Bacolod.

The ordinance provides that the Bacolod Local Government Unit, all its subdivisions, together with all 61 barangays are required to celebrate and participate in the observance of the Dental Health Month in consonance with the annual theme, programs and activities, enjoining all agencies concerned to conduct community-based and school-based programs in partnership with Primary Oral Health/Dental Health Clinic with the help of CHO-Dental Division and/or of 61 barangays identified satellite clinics and educational institutions, particularly the Department of Education (DepEd), Special Education (SPED) learners, and participants to the Alternative Learning System (ALS)

During the celebration, the city may provide a wide range of dental services, which include dental extractions, basic and emergency dental treatments, oral prophylaxis (scaling and polishing), toothbrushing activities, and access to oral specialty services such as oral surgery and orthodontics.

The ordinance also institutionalizes a Free Denture Initiative, locally known as the “Balik-Ngiti Program” or “Libreng Pustiso,” which includes free dentures as well as denture repairs and relining services; also included are preventive services such as oral health education, nutrition and risk assessment, and oral screening are likewise included.

To ensure accountability and effectiveness, the ordinance mandates the creation of a database for community-based oral health programs and a comprehensive monitoring and evaluation system. The CHO–Dental Division will maintain a master list of beneficiaries and services availed, and will regularly assess program quality, effectiveness, and client satisfaction.

In addition, the Bacolod City Comprehensive Health Program (BacCHP) will assist beneficiaries who require laboratory tests not covered by PhilHealth’s Primary Care Benefit Program, allowing access to services from both government and private health care providers.* (OCG)