Republic of the Philippines

Professional Regulation Commission

Manila
Board of Dentistry
GUIDELINES IN THE PRACTICE MANAGEMENT FOR DENTAL PRACTITIONERS

I. SIGNAGE

A. SIGNAGE OUTSIDE THE ESTABLISHMENT AND OFFICE DOOR MUST

1. conform to the building signage specifications
2. conform with the regulations of the local government code
3. possess a size proportional to the faade of the dental clinic
*proportional width 1/3, height 1/8 of the faade of the dental clinic only
4. be decent and dignified looking

B. CONTENT MUST INCLUDE ONLY THE FOLLOWING:

1. Name of the Dentist
shall use only the usual titles and academic degrees such as Doctor, Dentist, D.D.S.,
D.M.D., D.D.M.,B.D.S. or L.D.S. in connection with his/her name or signature
Certificate, M.S. and Ph.D. are allowed as long as it is conferred by a legally constituted
school, college or university, duly recognized and authorized to confer such titles only in the field
of Dentistry or its allied sciences. (Please be prepared to present Diploma/s upon inspection)
Diplomate is only allowed if the dentist has passed the examination given by the specialty
board of the accredited dental specialty group or society in dentistry by the Professional
Regulation Commission Board of Dentistry. Other dentists who possess an international
Diplomate Title MUST seek approval from the PRC BOD.
2. Title of the Practice eg. clinic, office, dental center, infirmary, dispensary
2. Clinic Days and Hours which can include- By appointment only
3. Contact Number (optional)
4. E-mail address (optional)
5. Clinic Address
6. Nature of Practice eg. General Dentistry, Practice Limited to Prosthodontics or other fields.
5. Specialty / Specialist eg. Endodontist, Orthodontist, Pediatric Dentist, Periodontist,
Prosthodontist, Oral Surgeon
can only be used by dentists
who have trained and completed a full time residency or advanced post graduate training
program of a recognized dental college/university in the fields of Endodontics, Orthodontics,
Pedodontics, Periodontics, Prosthodontics and Oral Surgery. (Please be prepared to present
Diploma/s upon inspection)
who have been conferred as specialists by specialty groups or preceptorship programs
accredited by the PRC BOD (Please be prepared to present Certificate/s upon inspection)
dentists who have undergone post graduate training in countries outside the Philippines whose
program does not fall within the realm of these provisions may seek clarification from the PRC
BOD for possible recognition.

*** Other dentists who have undergone extensive trainings in the six specialties but not from a
recognized dental college/university or dental hospital where dentistry course is being offered nor
have been conferred as specialists by specialty groups or preceptorship programs accredited by
the PRC BOD but instead may place General Dentist Practicing Orthodontics or other specialty
fields
6. Subspecialty/ Subspecialist eg. Implant Dentistry, Temporomandibular Joint Dysfunctions,
Geriatric Dentistry, Forensic Dentistry
the same rules apply
7. Institution/Company/ Department/ Hospital Logo eg. Makati Medical Center logo
-for company logo (Please be prepared to present SEC registration and DTI certificates upon
inspection)
C. SIGNAGES THAT ARE NOT ALLOWED
Signages with
1. Unprofessional Title of Practice- eg. Dental Spa, Club, Holiday, Resort etc.
2. Unauthorized use of the title of a Specialty/ Subspecialty
3. Unauthorized Design
a. personalized logo for single proprietorship or partnership
b. picture of dentist , caricatures or cliparts
c. terms such as x-ray, gas, air-abrasive, dental laboratory, air conditioned, laser and
other technical terms
d. comical or informal fonts
4. neon lights
5. motion signages
6. promos and discounts
7. sponsors or any form of product endorsements
8. other Titles given by organizations not accredited or recognized by PRC BOD eg. Fellow
with due respect, just place them in your curriculum vitae or seek approval from the PRC BOD
9. Misuse of terms such as specialty or subspecialty centers/ hospitals or Centers of Excellence
meant to mislead the public

SAMPLE OF A CORRECT SIGNAGE

Correct Signage

*** can include clinic address, contact no., e-mail address and clinic schedule

II. CALLING CARD AND PRESCRIPTION PAD

must be of standard size
A. CONTENT MUST INCLUDE ONLY THE FOLLOWING:
1. Name of the Dentist
2. Title of the Practice
3. Clinic Days and Hours
4. Contact Number
5. Email Address
6. Clinic Address
7. Nature of Practice
8. Specialty if applicable
9. Subspecialty if applicable
10. Institution/ Company/ Department/ Hospital Logo
*** SAME RULES APPLY please refer to signages
B. NOT ALLOWED
Calling cards and Prescription pads with
1. Unprofessional Title of Practice
2. Unauthorized use of the title of a Specialty/ Subspecialty
3. Unauthorized Design
a. personalized logo for single proprietorship or partnership
b. picture of dentist , caricatures or cliparts
c. comical or informal fonts
4. sponsors or any form of product endorsements
5. other Titles given by organizations not accredited or recognized by PRC BOD

SAMPLE OF A CORRECT CALLING CARD

Correct Calling Card

III. PRC CERTIFICATE OF REGISTRATION, SCHOOL DIPLOMA AND PRC IDENTIFICATION

CARD
1. PRC Certificate of Registration and School Diploma must be displayed in a conspicuous place
of the dental clinic either on the Reception or Operatory Area.
2. Certificates/ Diplomas of Post Graduate Training from a Recognized Dental School/ College/
University and Certificates issued by the Accredited Specialty Groups of the PRC Board of
Dentistry maybe displayed together with the PRC Certificate of Registration and School Diploma.
3. A photocopy of the unexpired PRC Identification Card must be retained inside the dental clinic
of the main office and all of its branches.
4. Original PRC Certificate of Registration and School Diploma should be displayed in the main
office and a Copy of the Certified Original PRC Certificate of Registration and School Diploma in
the other branch or branches of dental clinic should be displayed.
5. Other Plaques, Testimonials and Certificates of Appreciation maybe likewise displayed inside
the dental clinic but separately from the PRC Certificate of Registration and School Diploma.
6. Display of the PRC Certificate of Registration and School Diploma of the licensed dental
associate/s and assistant/s is only optional but encouraged.

IV. DENTAL RECORDS

Must include all of the following:
1. Patient Information
2. Dental History
3. Medical History
4. Dental Record Chart
5. Diagnosis
6. Treatment Done
Patients Dental Records including radiographs, casts, dental pictures and laboratory results
must be kept for at least ten (10) years.

V. COMMERCIAL POSTERS/ TARPAULINS AND BROCHURES

A. ALLOWED
1. Display of Commercial Posters and Tarpaulins (dental or non dental), inside the dental clinic.
2. Materials for patient education given inside the dental clinic.
3. Selling/ Display of dental products inside the dental clinic but must not be seen from the
outside.
4. Display of Dental Pictures inside the dental clinic. Eg. Before and After Treatments

B. NOT ALLOWED
1. Display of Commercial Posters and Tarpaulins (dental or non dental) outside the dental clinic
or placed inside but can be seen from the outside.
2. Brochures or Flyers given outside the dental clinic.
3. Display of Services offered outside the dental clinic or placed inside but can be seen from the
outside.
4. Display of Dental Pictures even without advertisements outside the dental clinic or placed
inside but can be seen from the outside.
5. Display of Discounts / Promotional Services offered outside the dental clinic or placed inside
but can be seen from the outside.

PLEASE BE INFORMED THAT THESE GUIDELINES IN THE PRACTICE MANAGEMENT FOR

DENTAL PRACTITIONERS NEED TO BE STRICTLY FOLLOWED EFFECTIVE JANUARY 1,
2012.

Licensed dentists and members of good standing Philippine Dental Association, are exempted
from payment of Mayors Permit because the practice of Dentistry is an exercise of a profession
and not a business concern.

(based on Certification issued by Clodualdo C. De Jesus, De Jesus and Associates Law Office
on March 10, 2008 in Pasig City)

This is pursuant to the prevailing ruling of then Finance Secretary Edgardo D. Espiritu on
December 16, 1999 Annex A, which states:
However, a person engaged in the practice of a profession requiring government examination
such as a dentist, is, by express provision of the Local Government Code, exempt from this
requirement. The code instead provides for a professional tax on professionals belonging to this
class. Such professional who has paid the corresponding professional tax to the province where
he practices his profession shall be entitled to practice his profession in any part of the
Philippines without being subjected to any other national or local tax, licenses, or fee, including
the Mayors Permit or license fee, for the practice of such profession.

According to page 226 of the Local Government Code of 1991, annotated, 1st Edition:

Payment of the professional tax (PTR) herein will preclude imposition of any other tax or fee by
any other local government unit for the exercise of ones profession.
SEC. 139. Professional Tax. (b) Every person legally authorized to practice his profession shall
pay the professional tax to the province where he practices his profession or where he maintains
his principal office in case he practices his profession in several places: Provided, however, That
such person who has paid the corresponding professional tax shall be entitled to practice his
profession in any part of the Philippines without being subjected to any other national or local tax,
license, or fee for the practice of such profession.

also, section 147 of RA 7160:

Section 147. Fees and Charges. The municipality may impose and collect such reasonable
fees and charges on business and occupation and, except as reserved to the province in Section
139 of this Code, on the practice of any profession or calling, commensurate with the cost of
regulation, inspection and licensing before any person may engage in such business or
occupation, or practice such profession or calling.

also sec 3, par (e) of RA 3019

Section 3. Corrupt practices of public officers. In addition to acts or omissions of public officers
already penalized by existing law, the following shall constitute corrupt practices of any public
officer and are hereby declared to be unlawful:
(e) Causing any undue injury to any party, including the Government, or giving any private party
any unwarranted benefits, advantage or preference in the discharge of his official administrative
or judicial functions through manifest partiality, evident bad faith or gross inexcusable negligence.
This provision shall apply to officers and employees of offices or government corporations
charged with the grant of licenses or permits or other concessions.

Board of Dentistry
History
Dentistry was practiced in the Philippines as early as the Spanish times. However, dental work
consisting mainly of extracting teeth was not recognized as a special course or profession then. There
was neither a law nor any Royal Decree from Spain governing the practice of dentistry. Thus, there was
no need for a regulatory body.

It was only during the American regime that the dental profession received its professional status as a
field of practice when the Board of Dental Examiners was created by the Provost Marshall General on
August 2, 1899.

On January 10, 1903, the Board was reorganized through Public Act No. 593, entitled The Act of
Regulating the Practice of Dentistry in the Philippine Islands. The Board consisted of three reputable
practitioners of dental surgery, including Drs. Robert Oliver, Wallace Skidmore, and Dr. Antonio Vergel
de Dios, the only Filipino Member. They were all appointed by the Commissioner of Public Health with
the consent and advice of the Board of Health of the Philippine Islands.

Twelve years after, on February 5, 1915 the Philippine Legislature passed Act No. 2462 which provided
new regulations for the examination of dentists and the practice of dentistry. The new Board Members
were appointed by the Director of Health with the approval of the Secretary of the Interior.

In 1916, Act No. 2462 was amended by Act No. 2602, changing the requirements for the qualification,
appointment and removal of the Board of Dental Examiners together with the qualification of candidates
for the admission to the dentist examination. In the ensuing years, Act No. 3680 was approved which
established reciprocity while Act No. 3681 was passed to eliminate the age requirement for admission
to licensure examinations.

With the enactment of Public Act No. 4007 or the Reorganization Law of 1932, the Board of Dental
Examiners was placed under the Department of Public Instruction together with other medical-related
boards. In 1948, Republic Act No. 546 was enacted, creating the first independent Dental Board of
Examiners. Appointed by the Acting Secretary of Health were Dr. Gervasio Erana as Chairman with
Drs. Germanico Carreon and Diosdado Carpio as Members. The law was later amended by Republic
Act No. 4419, The Philippine Dental Act of 1965, which accorded the Board the authority to issue,
suspend or revoke certificates of registration and the power to administer oaths and oversee dental
education requirements.

Board of Dentistry
 Accredited Professional Organization (APO)
Philippine Dental Association (PDA)
Ayala Extension corner Kamagong St.
Makati City
Tel No.: 890-4609 / 897-8091
Fax: 899-6332 / 899-8091
Website: http://www.pda.ph/
Re-accredited: Es. No. 2008-468 dated August 1, 2008

The Philippine Dental Association (PDA) was formed in 1948 with the merging of two major dental
organizations, the National Dental Association of the Philippines and the Sociedad Dental de Filipinas.

Immediately after its founding, the PDA swiftly earned nationwide recognition as manifested in the great
increase in its membership. By 1953, the dental officers of the Armed Forces of the United States and
the Philippines began joining the annual conventions of the PDA, pressing forward the revitalization of
dental practice in the Philippines.

Along with the Professional Regulation Commission and the Board of Dentistry, the PDA also took
major campaigns to amend the law on dental practice and to strengthen and improve the Regulatory
Code of Ethics of dentists. The PDA spearheaded and co-sponsored the first Asian-Pacific Dental
Congress, the first assembly of dental organizations of Asian countries which gave birth to the creation
of the Asian-Pacific Dental Federation (APDF). PDA President Dr. Bienvenido Eraa was elected head
of the APDF. Together with other members of the APDF, the PDA pioneered the affiliation of APDF to
the Federation Dentaire Internationale. From then on, the PDA became an active participant in world
affairs and conferences concerning dental health and practice.

The PDA is also involved in various community outreach programs and projects such as the Adopt-a-
Barangay Project and the Adopt-a-Primary/ Elementary School Program which provide and improve
dental health care in remote communities.

The PDA is affiliated with the Philippine Medical Association (PMA), Philippine Association of Medical
Technologists (PAMET), Philippine Nurses Association (PNA), and other health organizations in the
country.