Drilon to keynote dental groups gathering on Monday

Senate President Franklin M. Drilon is set to address the 300 leaders of the country's dentistry profession as the keynote speaker for the opening ceremonies of the Philippine Dental Association (PDA) and House of Delegates' Midyear Session, to be held on November 11/Monday, 1pm, at the Manila Hotel.

Drilon's speech will focus mostly on the government's healthcare programs, the issues confronting the health sector, and as well as the reforms needed to further advance the health condition of Filipinos in line with the 2015 Millennium Development Goals.

The Senate chief is also expected to explain briefly the pork barrel controversy now hounding the Philippine Congress before the 300 delegates representing more than 99 constituent chapters and 25 affiliates of the PDA nationwide, along with members of the PDA Executive Board, and former presidents of the said dental association.

Also expected to be in attendance are the officers of the PDA House of Delegates (HOD), past HOD Speakers, deans of various dental colleges in the country, along with representatives from the Philippine Regulatory Commission (PRC) Board of Dentistry.

With this year's theme of "Intensifying Professionalism", Drilon is expected to discuss the vital role of the nation's political and medical sectors in delivering services that can uplift the country's condition.

The Senate chief will also comment on the issues confronting the dentistry profession in the country today, especially on the impact of the Mutual Recognition Agreement, which will facilitate the mobility of dental services professional within the South-East Asian region starting in 2015.

The Philippine Dental Association is a non-stock organization founded in 1908 to form a strong national organization of dentists in the country; it has since then made various efforts to promote better dental health nationwide, and as well as to enhance the integrity of the dental profession.