The pain-only mindset: Why Filipinos still neglect preventive dental care

MANILA, Philippines – According to the Philippine Dental Association (PDA), seven out of 10 Filipinos nationwide suffer from tooth decay. 

But most Filipinos still believe that dental visits are only for emergencies. Often, it’s only when we get unbearable tooth pain or go through other severe issues that we think of getting a check-up. This mindset is why oral health problems remain widespread in the country.

Government data also show that oral health problems begin early: a December 2024 report of the House of Representatives’ Congressional Policy and Budget Research Department noted that around three in 10 Filipino children aged five years and older examined in public health facilities in 2023 had decayed, missing, or filled teeth, based on figures from the Department of Health’s Field Health Service Information System (FHSIS).

For PDA president Dr. Lucilo “Jun” G. Niñal Jr., this reflects how the importance of dental care is understood in the country.

Dental visits, he said, should be viewed as preventive measures rather than sought only when symptoms appear.

“We have to educate the public and also especially Filipino people, to educate them,” Niñal said. “Hindi po kailangang pumunta tayo sa dentista ‘pag may sakit na. Importante dito ‘yung prevention, especially the proper toothbrushing and good oral habits among Filipino people.”

(It’s not necessary to go to the dentist only when there’s already pain. What’s important is prevention — especially proper toothbrushing and good oral habits among Filipinos.)

According to Niñal, good oral health does not require complicated routines but consistent care — from maintaining healthy gums to brushing properly and flossing regularly. 

Access gaps complicate preventive care

However, changing perceptions alone is not enough.

Despite the presence of school-based dental programs and awareness campaigns for years, preventive dental care remains inaccessible for many Filipinos, particularly those living outside urban centers. Factors such as the lack of dental facilities, a shortage of dentists, and the time and cost of traveling to clinics continue to discourage regular check-ups.

While dental health activities are periodically conducted in urban areas — such as recent initiatives promoting oral hygiene among daycare students in Metro Manila — advocates note that these efforts are harder to sustain and scale in rural communities, where access to dentists remains limited.

Colgate-Palmolive Philippines senior vice president and general manager Angel Qi pointed out that access remains a major barrier, especially in rural communities.

“With the dentist-to-population ratio remaining a big challenge in the country, especially in the rural area, when people still need to travel far to visit a dentist to get the consultation,” she said.

Many families struggle with rising prices of goods and services. Visiting a dentist can be costly and time-consuming. Preventive care may seem less urgent when there is no pain.

PhilHealth’s expansion of the Yaman ng Kalusugan Program (YAKAP) to include dental health services may provide some relief for many Filipinos. Government programs like the Department of Health’s “7020 Vision” aim to help Filipinos retain at least 20 natural teeth by age 70, highlighting the importance of preventive care from early childhood to older age.

Beyond access issues, other oral health problems, such as gum bleeding, are also widespread and often misunderstood.

Bleeding gums: A warning sign often ignored

Aside from cavities and toothaches, gum bleeding is another common oral health issue among Filipinos and one that is frequently misunderstood.

Dentists say bleeding gums are often an early sign of gingivitis, a form of gum inflammation caused by plaque buildup along the gum line. If left untreated, this can progress to periodontitis, a more severe infection that damages the gums and the bone supporting the teeth, increasing the risk of tooth loss.

In some cases, bacteria from infected gums can enter the bloodstream, potentially worsening existing conditions such as diabetes and heart disease.

Marquez-Reyes said many Filipinos dismiss bleeding gums as a normal occurrence.

“We think that it’s a common thing because you brush too hard but it’s actually a sign of something else and it can lead to tooth loss,” she stressed.

“We believe that we are born with teeth that will last us for a lifetime if only we will take care of them with preventive care, so go visit your dentists early on and regularly, even if you don’t think you have a problem.”

Why prevention is often overlooked

Qi explained that dental care is still largely approached from a curative, rather than preventive, perspective.

“When the budget is tight, they prioritize the immediate needs over a dental check-up to the teeth that might still look healthy,” she said.

Cultural resilience also plays a role. Many Filipinos endure discomfort, rely on home remedies, or self-medicate with over-the-counter painkillers instead of seeking professional care.

“They cope with the problems, symptoms, home remedies, [and] over-the-counter painkillers. They didn’t realize, you know, the pain is a must, but actually the infection is still spreading,” she said.

This tolerance for pain — often seen as resilience — can delay treatment until oral health issues become severe, reinforcing a cycle of emergency-only dental visits.

Both Qi and Marquez-Reyes stressed that preventive care and education remain critical to shifting Filipinos away from crisis-driven dental visits and toward lifelong oral health. With proper care and early habits, a healthy smile can last a lifetime. – Alfon Cabanilla/Rappler.com

Alfon Cabanilla is a Rappler intern studying AB Communication at Ateneo de Manila University.