03/02/2026
EMAILED LETTER TO SENATOR
CHRISTOPHER LAWRENCE T. GO
Subject: Promotional Opportunities for our Government Dentists
January 3, 2026
HON. CHRISTOPHER LAWRENCE T. GO
Vice- Chairperson, Committee on Health and Demography
Senate of the Philippines
Room 507 & 14 , GSIS Bldg., Financial Center
Diokno Blvd., Pasay City
Dear Senator Christopher "B**g" Go,
Happy Feast of the Most Holy Name of Jesus !
As registered dentist - oral implantologist, development agent and volunteer private dentist for 34 long years. I am writing to advocate for a necessary change in the career progression of municipal dentists in the Philippines, as observed for so many years working with them.
Currently, I am the President of the D’ Dental Squad, Inc., a national organization focused on improving oral health through school- based and community-based initiatives, often in partnership with local schools, national agencies and organizations like the WISE Foundation, Inc., Kiwanis International –Southern Philippine District, Holy Cross of Davao College, Dilangalen Central Elementary School, University of Mindanao, Davao City Special School, Philippine Coast guard, Philippine Navy, Philippine Air Force (PAF) Tactical Operations Group 11 (TOG 11), Philippine Ports Authority, partnerships with the Provincial Government of Misamis Occidental, Integrated Provincial Health Office - Misamis Occidental , Doña Maria D. Tan Memorial Hospital , Davao Surgical Warriors, MCKS Charitable Foundation, Governor Alfonso D. Tan College and many more.
For decades, our municipal dentists have served as the backbone of rural healthcare. However, many remain "stuck" at the Dentist II rank for their entire careers, often retiring at the same level they started. This stagnation is largely due to outdated local government staffing patterns that cap positions based on a municipality’s income class rather than a professional's merit.
There is an urgent need to institutionalize a merit-based career progression for public health dentists. Currently, the lack of promotional opportunities—where many municipal dentists remain at Dentist II for their entire careers—stagnates professional growth. We advocate for the upgrading of positions from Dentist I to Dentist IV based on clinical performance, years of service, and public health accomplishments, rather than the current limitations dictated by a local government's income status. We are praying that the government will prioritize these reforms to ensure that dedicated public servants are fairly rewarded for their expertise and commitment to community oral health.
A lifetime of service should not be limited by geographic status. We would like to call on the national government and the Civil Service Commission to review these staffing limits and allow for promotion of Municipal Dentist II to Dentist III and IV based on performance, achievements, and dedication.
It is time to ensure that all public health dentists, regardless of where they serve, have access to fair career growth that reflects their excellence and hard work.
I could help draft a senate resolution "URGING THE SENATE AND THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TO PRIORITIZE AND ENACT LEGISLATION UPGRADING SALARY GRADES AND INSTITUTIONALIZING MERIT-BASED CAREER PROGRESSION FOR PUBLIC SECTOR DENTISTS IN THE PHILIPPINES" for you to review if given the opportunity. These reforms will fairly reward dedicated public servants, attract top talent to government service, and strengthen the nation's commitment to universal health care under Republc Act. 11223 (Universal Health Care Act) and aligns with it, including the pending measures under Senate Bill No. 1972 (Health Workers' Salary Standardization) and House Bill No. 7857 (Public Health Professionals' Upgrading Act).
Praying that you could help improve the promotional opportunities for our government dentists.
Maraming Salamat po !
Sincerely,
Sgd.
Carlos T. Capitan II, DMD, MPD, FPCOI, FWAUPS
President, D' Dental Squad, Inc.
Community Dentistry Advocate/ Dental Development Agent
