Naga, PDA ink pact to improve dental care for pregnant moms

A Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) is made and entered into by and between the Philippine Dental Association (PDA) Camarines Sur–Naga City Chapter and the City Government of Naga on November 4, 2025, in support of health and nutrition thrust under Mayor Leni Robredo’s 2028 Finish Lines.

Mayor Leni Robredo said that the agreement, which shall take effect upon signing and ratification, shall remain in force for 3 years, or until December 31, 2028. It shall serve as a framework for both parties to pursue their shared objectives of:

1. Alleviating the incidence of oral health problems among adolescent mothers

2. Recognizing best practices and role models in the field of dentistry;

3. Motivating members to develop and implement excellent programs in the spirit of professional growth and community service; and

4. Inspiring future leaders in the dental profession to improve and expand best practices.
To achieve these objectives, it is agreed that member-dentists of the Association in Naga and Camarines Sur shall volunteer their services to provide dental care to pregnant mothers throughout their pregnancy and up to two years after childbirth, in consonance with the First 1,000 Days Law. The dental services include regular check-ups, application of preventive dental measures, and other necessary treatments.

Mayor Leni Robredo said that both parties believe that by providing free dental services to pregnant women—as expressly stipulated in this Agreement—they can promote the overall health and well-being of both mother and child.
“The First 1,000 Days, starting from conception up to the child’s second year of life, are crucial for a child’s development and long-term health,” Robredo said.
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The PDA Camarines Sur–Naga City Chapter shall:

1. Ensure the availability of dentists who will adopt adolescent, indigent, and nutritionally at-risk pregnant women in their first to second trimester, as recommended by the City Population and Nutrition Office.

2. Provide free dental treatment to the pregnant women throughout their pregnancy and up to two years after childbirth, in support of their First 1,000 Days. Treatments include oral prophylaxis, extraction, restoration, fluoride application, and dentures, if needed.

3. After a beneficiary-mother has given birth, ensure that a dentist checks the dental conditions of both the mother and the baby.

4. Provide a one-time oral prophylaxis to the father of the enrolled child.

5. Ensure that volunteer dentists offer free dental services to the pregnant beneficiaries, including preventive oral care, as well as dental education and awareness activities.
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The City Government of Naga shall:

1. Provide necessary technical assistance and collaborate with healthcare facilities, community organizations, and local authorities to reach a wider audience and ensure the participation of pregnant mothers.

2. Support outreach activities organized by the first party to engage the community, provide information about the project, and encourage mothers to prioritize their oral health and that of their babies.

3. Through the Naga City Health Office, provide fluoride, toothbrushes, toothpaste, dental floss, emergency tooth extraction services, and other materials needed during treatment.

4. Remind and monitor patients regarding the rules and regulations governing the treatment.

5. Assist in integrating oral healthcare into the existing healthcare system to promote zero-cavity outcomes among children and establish sustainable practices that will continue beyond the duration of this Agreement.

It is provided under the Agreement’s effectivity clause that 6 months prior to the expiration of the pact, specifically in June 2028, an evaluation and assessment should be conducted to determine if the project is successful on improving the general welfare of pregnant mothers and their children during the latter’s First 1000 days. | via Jason B. Neola