About 80 million Filipinos suffer from tooth decay, ranking the country among the highest globally for dental caries, according to the National Survey on Oral Health (NSOH).

Additionally, 54 million Filipinos are affected by gum problems, a leading cause of tooth loss, with the average 70-year-old having only seven teeth remaining, the World Health Organization noted.

Several factors contribute to the nation's oral health challenges, such as accessibility, with the Philippines having a low dentist-to-population ratio and 60 percent of dentists concentrated in Manila, leaving many areas of the country lacking adequate dental care.

Other contributing factors include limited insurance, as many Filipinos consider dental care "inaccessible," and limited awareness of proper brushing techniques and the importance of mouth rinse.

Further, Philippine Statistics Authority data revealed that the average Filipino consumes over 13 tablespoons of sugar daily, nearly triple the recommended amount.

Alarmingly, 50 percent of Filipinos visit a dentist only when they experience oral health problems.

To address this, health company Kenvue Philippines partnered with the Department of Health (DOH) and the American Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines to promote better oral care, supporting the agency's "Ngiting 70:20" program, which aims to help Filipinos retain at least 20 teeth by age 70.

To further bridge the gap, the Philippine Health Insurance Corp. last year approved the preventive oral health benefit package for every Filipino.

The package will cover the annual routine preventive oral care for Filipinos, such as mouth examinations or oral screenings, oral prophylaxis or cleaning, and fluoride varnish application.

It will also cover pit and fissure sealants and Class V procedures, as needed, for a maximum of two teeth, emergency tooth extractions, and dental consultations.

A maximum payment of P1,000 for preventive oral health services is allotted for each patient annually. Of the total amount, P300 will be paid for the first visit, covering mouth examinations or oral screenings, oral prophylaxis, and fluoride varnish application.

Another P300 will be paid for the second visit, which must be at least four months apart from the first visit, for the same services.

The remaining amount will be used to pay for pit and fissure sealants or a Class V procedure for a maximum of two teeth per year, at P200 each.

Meanwhile, private dentists will be allowed a maximum co-payment charge per visit of P1,500 for mouth examination and oral prophylaxis; P600 for both pit and fissure sealants or Class V procedures; and emergency tooth extractions.