Over the years, the government, private sector, and healthcare professionals have joined forces to consistently promote oral hygiene habits and raise awareness about oral care.
Despite these efforts, many Filipinos still do not prioritize dental care, with some maintaining beliefs and traditions that can be detrimental to dental health.
Dr. Samantha Bernardo, TikTok content creator and founder of Awesam Smile Dental Clinic, is committed to dispelling these misconceptions and raising awareness.
"Hindi priority ang oral health talaga, sadly, dito sa Philippines," Doc Sam shared with PEP.ph (Philippine Entertainment Portal) on July 31, 2025, during their dental mission in Marikina City.
Continuing, Doc Sam highlighted several common misconceptions about dental care among Filipinos.
A widespread misconception is the belief that visiting the dentist always involves painful tooth extractions.
"Usually, ang myth naman, akala nila [automatic], pagpunta nila sa clinic at nakakita ng dentista, masakit, e," she explained.
"Pero hindi nila alam. May mga preventive dentistry katulad ng cleaning, fluoride na hindi naman talaga masakit.
"At saka lagi din na lang nasa isip na pupunta lang ako sa dentist pag masakit na."
DOC SAMANTHA BERNARDO: NO TO DIY!
Doc Sam recognizes that promoting awareness about proper oral care is becoming more difficult, especially with the rise of viral social media content that promotes dangerous dental practices.
She is particularly concerned about trends like DIY moldable false teeth, which she notes can be harmful.
Doc Sam said, "Yung mga parang, akala mo candy na mentos, itatapal mo pag may butas.
"Alam nyo ba ang daming cases ngayon na talagang lalong namamaga?
"Kasi ang tama naman talagang treatment diyan, is tanggalin namin yung sira or yung cavity. Then that's the time, we fill it.
"So, siyempre ako, very against kami diyan, e. Dahil nga, nagkakaroon ng mga misconception, saka misleading din sa mga pasyente.
"Akala nila, okey lang. Pero pag pumunta na sila sa clinic, malala na yung situwasyon."
Doc Sam also cautioned against the use of toothache sprays currently circulating on social media.
According to her, visiting a trusted dentist remains the best solution for addressing toothaches.
She said, "Sa mga spray naman, pag talagang, kunyari, mayroong masakit na ngipin, may mga nabibili na daw ganun, e. That's temporary relief.
"Pero siyempre, yung pinaka-number one pa rin is to visit the dentist. Kasi, the more na pinapatagal natin yung tooth, the more na talagang mas malala at irreversible."
Finally, Doc Sam warns against fake dentists and individuals offering DIY braces, emphasizing that such treatments should only be performed by licensed professionals.
"Maraming DIY braces, actually, inaaksyunan naman na talaga ng Philippine Dental Association.
"Yun nga lang, siyempre because of social media at marami pa talagang hindi aware.
"Di ba, ang una naman talaga pag pupuntahan natin, regardless na alam ba natin na licensed ito or hindi, yung mura?
"Kaya ang dami talagang cases na nasisira yung ngipin. Akala kasi nila, lalagyan lang ng bakal, lalagyan lang din ng rubber.
"Hindi nila alam na kailangan, professional din yung gagawa."
PROPER ORAL CARE
With these dental practices being prevalent among Filipinos, Doc Sam goes the extra mile to promote proper oral care, focusing not only on enhancing the appearance of teeth but also ensuring their health from the inside.
"Gusto ko talaga na beauty inside and out," she told PEP.
"Kasi maraming cases, 'no, mga patients na nag-visit sa clinic, naka-veneers. Pero may gingivitis pala, maga yung gums or sira na yung loob, bulok na.
"Kaya ngayon, gusto talaga namin i-push yung preventive dentistry."
She starts with her own patients in her clinic, making sure they are well-informed about their teeth and their treatments.
Doc Sam said, "Ang ginagawa namin talaga ngayon sa mga dental clinic din namin, we make it... friendly, comfortable.
"Sa clinic namin, talagang thorough check-up kami, e.
"So, when the patient comes in and gusto nila na cleaning lang, ginagawa namin, talagang ine-educate namin na ito yung mga kailangan.
"Nasa kanila na yun kung ipapagawa nila o hindi. As long as they are aware na meron pala silang mga ganitong problems."
Another way Doc Sam promotes and raises awareness about dental care and health is through her dental missions, which she organizes during her birth month.
She initiated these missions last year as a way to give back.
"Sabi ko, once nagkaroon ako ng work, kumikita na ako ng sarili ko, tutulong ako."
"So, since 2017, nag-start na ako."
She continued, "So, this is my yearly celebration talaga, birthday celebration.
"So, every birthday celebration, gusto ko talaga magkaroon ng dental mission and outreach program.
"For today, ang ginawa na namin, nag-fluoride treatment kami sa mga bata, bunot, and cleaning.
"And meron siyempre kaming mga grocery packs, pabigas, and pa-games."
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