Davao City Health Office Issues Warning Against Unlicensed Dental Practitioners
The Davao City Health Office (CHO) Dental Division has issued a stern warning to the public regarding the dangers of patronizing unlicensed dental practitioners. Officials are strongly encouraging residents to seek affordable and legitimate oral healthcare services at their nearest government health centers instead.
Affordable Dental Care at Health Centers
Dr. Rowena Go, the head of the CHO Dental Division, emphasized the cost-effectiveness of utilizing public health facilities. She revealed that basic procedures like tooth extraction are available for only ₱100 at these centers, which is significantly lower than the fees typically charged by private clinics or illegal operators.
During the ISpeak media forum held on Thursday, February 5, 2026, at the CHO Building, Dr. Go specifically addressed concerns about unregulated dental practices. "Please, it should no longer be placed there because we have many patients who go to the clinic and they can no longer remove their braces," she stated, highlighting complications from DIY orthodontic treatments.
Risks of Unlicensed Dental Services
Dr. Go urged residents experiencing any dental problems to consult licensed dentists rather than relying on fake practitioners found online or on the streets. She noted that unauthorized services, including DIY braces and other unregulated procedures, can severely worsen oral health conditions and lead to long-term complications.
The warning follows recent enforcement actions by authorities. From March 12 to April 28, 2025, the Philippine National Police Anti-Cybercrime Group (PNP-ACG) arrested 14 individuals across Mindanao for allegedly practicing dentistry without a proper license.
Free Dental Services for Oral Health Month
In celebration of Oral Health Month, the CHO Dental Division is actively promoting dental hygiene and awareness through community outreach programs. The division is organizing free dental care services via community caravans in several locations throughout February 2026.
The schedule for these free services includes:
- Marilog District on February 10–11
- Matina Aplaya on February 23
- Barangay Centro Agdao on February 24
Recent Crackdown on Illegal Dental Practice
Police operations coordinated with the Philippine Dental Association (PDA) led to the verification of suspects' credentials and subsequent arrests in multiple locations. These include Cotabato City, Zamboanga City, Davao City, Tagum City, and Ipil town in Zamboanga Sibugay.
The suspects are facing charges under Republic Act No. 9484, also known as the Philippine Dental Act, in connection with Republic Act No. 10175, the Cybercrime Prevention Act. During a Davao City operation on April 11, 2025, authorities also rescued a child in conflict with the law (CICL) as part of these enforcement efforts.
The CHO Dental Division continues to emphasize the importance of seeking professional and licensed dental care to ensure proper oral health and avoid potential legal and medical risks associated with unlicensed practitioners.
