Philippine Dental Association president Dr. Stephen Almonte has successfully addressed the challenges that come with the job in his first 100 days in office.
A report submitted by Dr. Christine Valerio, PDA’s information committee chairman, disclosed that Dr. Almonte attended the inductions of the different chapters and affiliates throughout the country in June and August, encouraging organizers to be austere by doing away with leis, garlands, buttoners, presidential table, tokens or plaque of appreciation.
In PDA’s oral awareness campaign, “Sugar away, walang tooth decay,” Dr. Almonte discouraged chapters from serving sugar sweetened beverage during inductions and other chapter activities. He also called for “Reduce, Reuse, Recycle and Rethink” program.
He held sit-down meetings with local government leaders to discuss concerns of government dentists on salary grade increase, the need for a dentist in every health center and the accreditation of the PDA local chapters as civil society organization.
As early as June, the PDA president in his “Go Beyond the Smiles” advocacy, challenged all the chapters to focus on sustainable projects to make a great impact on overall health and living conditions like education on proper diet to have better oral health, adoption or ownership of health centers and toothbrushing and handwash facilities.
He also attended the public consultation on the Universal Health Care’s implementing rules and regulation. PDA participated in the Professional Regulation Commission’s social responsibility program, Caliraya Lake Tree Planting Activity, “Sibol Para sa Kalikasan”, exploratory meeting on dental tourism and meeting with PDA legal adviser for plans on public health issues.
Under Dr. Almonte’s 1st 100 days watch, the public health program “Tahanang Sentrong Pangkalusugan” that aligns with the Universal Health Care Law was launched in July.
Capping Dr. Almonte’s first 100 days in PDA was his representation of Filipino dentists in the in the ADA FDI World Congress and attendance in the APRO APDF meeting as the chief delegate of PDA.
The conference made such impact which led him to say: “We are part of something bigger than we thought we imagined [as] international organized dentistry needs to find its way and cause a deeper meaning of dentistry in our country”.
