Beyond the Big Numbers: How the 2026 National Budget Funds Healthier Smiles
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The inclusion and bolstering of dental health initiatives in the 2026 budget is not a minor detail; it's a meaningful step toward holistic healthcare. For too long, dental care has been treated as a secondary concern, often out of reach for millions of Filipinos due to cost and accessibility. This has led to widespread oral health issues that impact overall well-being, nutrition, children's school attendance, and even adults' employability.
The specific allocation for dental health outreach programs signals a shift in understanding. It recognizes that:
