Philippines include dental fees in senior tax exemption

HONG KONG/LEIPZIG, Germany: Philippine citizens above 60 years of age will soon have access to cheaper dental and medical services. A new law recently passed by Congress entitles seniors to exemption from the value-added tax of 20 per cent on goods and services, including dental fees. The law, known as the Expanded Senior Citizens Act of 2010, will also provide seniors with free medical and dental services in all government hospitals, medical facilities and out-patient clinics.

According to the latest government statistics, there are approx. 6 million people over the age of 60 living in the Philippines. Numerous organisations for the elderly have rallied heavily in the past few months to press President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo to promulgate the law.

However, the Act could mean a significant reduction in income for dental health-care workers, as more than 85 per cent of dentists are currently in private practice. Finance officials said that enforcing the Act could lead to annual revenue losses of between US$8.5 and US$22 million in all private sectors in years to come.

Dental fees in the Philippines range from US$10 for a tooth-coloured filling to more than US$400 for crowns and bridges.