The Dental Law of 1949

     

In the year 1949, an entirely new dental law was enacted by the First Congress of the Republic of the Philippines, namely Republic Act No.417, entitled “An Act to Regulate the Practice of Dentistry in the Philippines and for Other Purposes”, signed into law by the then President Elpidio Quirino on June 18,1949. R.A. No.417, repealed all laws, parts of the laws, orders, ordinances, or regulations in conflict with its provisions, as pertain to the practice of dentistry.

One notable feature of the law was the requirement of a two-year Pre- Dental Course before taking up Dental Proper, which was to be effective after 2 years, or starting June 1951, thereby increasing the entire Dentistry Course from 4 to 6 years.

Another noticeable provision was the restoration of the Practical Examination. It will be recalled that the practical test was abolished earlier on through a resolution promulgated by the Department of Health, then headed and approved by Health Secretary Dr. Antonio Villarama, which had been enforced starting with the December 1947 Dentists Licensure Examinations. With the implementation of R.A. No.417, both the Theoretical and Performance Tests were again conducted during the December 1949 Dental Board Examinations and in all the dentists licensure examinations scheduled semi-annually, thereafter.

Republic Act No. 546, which was enacted by the Second Congress of the Philippines and approved by the President on June 17, 1950, reorganized and placed all the Boards of Examiners under the direct supervision of the Office of the President and made the Chief Executive the appointing power of the Examining Boards of all the accredited professions thereby, including the Board of Dental Examiners.