By Gabriel D. Andres
CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY (PIA) — The Philippine Health Insurance Corporation Northern Mindanao (PhilHealth-10) is urging residents to avail themselves of free dental services under its Yaman ng Kalusugan Program (YAKAP).
PhilHealth-10 Regional Vice President Delio A. Aseron II said the inclusion of dental services under YAKAP supports the government’s effort to expand access to primary care, including preventive dental services.
“Many Filipinos only go to the dentist kapag masakit na, that tells us [that] dental care has been treated as a luxury, not a necessity. Through YAKAP, we are changing that mindset by making basic dental services part of primary care—libre, accessible, at malapit sa komunidad,” Aseron said.
Free services under YAKAP include oral and dental examinations, tooth cleaning or prophylaxis, fluoride application, and dental sealant application, as needed.
PhilHealth also offers a preventive oral health package with coverage of P1,000 per beneficiary per year. The package allows members to avail of two dental cleanings annually, including examinations, fluoride treatment, and sealant application.
Members may register with their preferred primary care provider through the eGovPH application or by visiting any PhilHealth office or one of more than 200 YAKAP clinics across Northern Mindanao.
If a preferred clinic cannot provide dental services, patients will be referred to the nearest available facility, Aseron said.
Marilyn Eduave, 62, of Barangay Balulang in Cagayan de Oro City, said the free dental services help support her family’s oral health.
“Ako gyud [i-awhag] akong mga pamilya nga makaapil ani kay libre man. Nalipay kaayo ko og dako [sa YAKAP] kay libre, ug makatabang sa pamilya ug uban pang tao nga walay kaya,” Eduave said.
(I would encourage my family to take advantage of these free services. I am happy to learn about these under YAKAP, which will surely be a big help to families and individuals with limited resources.)
Jonardo Montederamos, 52, of Barangay Indahag, said the program benefits residents in remote areas, especially those with limited income.
“Dako gyud na siya nga tabang nga maka-avail gyud ang angay gyud matabangan, ilabi na sa mga tao nga wala gyuy kapasidad nga ika-bayad, mga tao nga naa sa kabukiran nga walay igong trabaho,” said Montederamos.
(This is a really big help for all who stand to benefit from it, especially those living in remote areas without a steady income and who cannot afford to pay for health services.)
PhilHealth-10 encouraged members to maintain regular dental checkups beyond February.
“Tapusin na natin ang nakasanayang magpapatingin lamang sa doctor kung malala na ang sakit. Maaga pa lang, magpatingin na,” Aseron said. (GDA/PIA-10)
