Dentistry in the Philippines Pre-Spanish Era

Dentistry in the Philippines: Pre-Spanish Era (Before 900 to 1521)

• Barbers acted as "dental practitioners" and "curers of toothaches" using "queer methods" like fingers and nail pliers to pull out teeth.
• Dentistry was not recognized as a profession, and there were no royal decrees or laws to govern and guide the practice of dentists.
• Sacamuelas or Tooth pullers were individuals skilled in pulling teeth.

Dentistry in the Philippines: Spanish Era (1521 to 1898)

• José "Capitan Cheng – Cheng" Arevalo was the first Filipino dentist.
• Monsieur M. Fertri, a French dentist, partnered with Arevalo in his dental practice.
• The University of Santo Tomas offered a special course to train cirujano ministrantes, later changed to cirujano dentistas.

Dentistry in the Philippines: American Era (1898 to 1946)

• The first American-Era Board of Dental Examiners was established on August 2, 1899.
• Act No. 593 (1903) organized the Board of Dental Examiners, with members appointed by the Commissioner of Public Health.
• Members of the Board of Dental Examiners included Dr. Robert T. Olliver, Dr. Wallace G. Skidmore, and Dr. Antonio Vergel de Dios.
• Filipino dentists who graduated from US schools included Dr. Gregorio R. Mateo, Dr. Francisco Ponce, Dr. Placido Flores, and Dr. Joaquin A. Lada.
• The Sociedad Dental de Filipinas, founded in 1908, initiated the establishment of dental schools in the Philippines.
• The first dental school, Colegio Dental del Liceo de Manila, was established, later renamed the Philippine Dental College.

Regulatory Amendments

• Act No. 2462 (1915) regulated the examination and practice of dentistry in the Philippines.
• Act No. 2602 (1916) amended the qualifications, appointment, and removal of the Board of Dental Examiners and qualifications for dental board licensure examinations.
• Act No. 3680 and 3681 provided for reciprocity and removed age requirements for taking dental licensure tests, respectively.

Japanese Occupation Era (1942 to 1945)

• Only a few dentists practiced during WWII, and curricula for schools were modified by the Japanese occupiers.
• After the war, dentists who survived the occupation returned to practicing their profession.

Independent Philippine-Republic Era (1946 to Present)

• In 1948, the Board of Dental Examiners became an independent regulatory body under Republic Act No. 546.
• Members of the Board of Dental Examiners included Dr. Gervasio Erana, Dr. Germanico Carreon, and Diosdado Carpio.
• In 1965, the Board of Dental Examiners continued to regulate the practice of dentistry in the Philippines.