September 01, 2016
DepEd Memorandum No. 141, s. 2016
Table of Contents
GUIDELINES ON THE USE AND MAINTENANCE OF MOBILE DENTAL VEHICLES
1. The Department issues the enclosed Guidelines on the Use and Maintenance of Mobile Dental Vehicles for information and guidance.
2. The Kalusugan Pangkalahatan of the Department of Health (DOH) envisions quality health care to be more accessible to the poor and vulnerable population by ensuring the availability of functional static and mobile health facilities.
3. The DOH invested in the acquisition of mobile dental vehicle, including equipment to cover the underserved communities as one of the activities related to Health Facilities Enhancement Program (HFEP).
4. Cognizant of the high prevalence rate (98%) of dental caries among school children, a total of 20 Mobile Dental Vehicles (MDVs) were provided to the Department of Education to be distributed to the regional offices for the oral health needs of children in all schools divisions within the region.
5. For more information, all concerned may contact either the Bureau of Learner Support Service-School Health Division (BLSS-SHD), 3rd Floor, Mabini Bldg., Department of Education (DepEd) Central Office, DepEd Complex, Meralco Avenue, Pasig City at telephone no. (02) 632-9935, or the Office for Health Operations, Department of Health (DOH) at telephone no. (02) 652-7800 local 1143.
6. Immediate and wide dissemination of this Memorandum is desired.
LEONOR MAGTOLIS BRIONES
Secretary
GUIDELINES ON THE USE AND MAINTENANCE OF THE MOBILE DENTAL VEHICLE
I. Rationale
The Health Facilities Enhancement Program (HFEP) as one of the major programs of the Kalusugan Pangkalahatan of the Department of Health (DOH) envisioned quality health care to be more accessible to the poor and vulnerable population by ensuring the availability of static and mobile health facilities.
As a parallel activity, the DOH committed to provide mobile dental vehicles including equipment, as an initial response to improve dental health care coverage in the county cognizant of the high prevalence rate (98%) of dental caries among the school children. The DOH provided a total of 20 Mobile Dental Vehicles (MDVs) to DepEd to be distributed to the Regional Offices to cater the oral health needs of the children in all divisions within the region.
II. Objective:
The Mobile Dental Vehicles were distributed to the regional offices to provide basic oral health care among school-age children. Basic Oral Health Care (in accordance with the WHO) refers to a package of essential services including oral disease prevention and oral health care. These may include availability and promotion of affordable fluoride toothpaste for effective self-care, basic clinical care consisting of examination and diagnosis, pain relief and addressing oral infections, tooth extraction and, where available and appropriate restorative care.
III. General Guidelines
A. The Regional Offices shall:
1. Make sure that the mobile dental clinics are utilized according to purpose;
– The ESSD of the Regional Office as the counterpart of the Bureau of Learner Support Services of the Central Office shall designate a staff to oversee the operation of the MDV according to its purpose. The unit shall be used in the implementation of Oral Health Program and other related activities. SDOs must be allowed to use MDV whenever available and upon the approval of their request from the regional office. There should be a recording scheme to monitor schedule of MDV routing to SDOs to provide an equal opportunity of dental services among learners.
2. Guarantee the availability of manpower such as dentists, dental aide and other health personnel, utilities, and other operational expenses for the operation of the mobile dental equipment, subject to accounting and auditing rules and RA 9184 or the Government Procurement Reform Act, should procurement of goods and/or services be necessary;
– Dentists and drivers who will use the MDV must undergo training and orientation provided by the Department of Health. Only those who attended the training can use the MDV since the warranty will be voided if damages were due to improper vehicle usage. Regional Offices personnel may coordinate with the DepED, SHD-BLSS to facilitate the schedule of training and orientation in the
– DOH provided complete set of equipments for the delivery of basic oral health care, however, the consumables and other supplies are not included, and therefore, the regional office and/or schools division offices who will use the unit shall shoulder the utility and operational expenses subject to accounting and auditing rules and RA 9184.
3. Ensure the rational use of the mobile dental vehicles to maximize its benefit to the clients/citizens needing dental services;
4. Facilitate the proper maintenance, out of its own resources, of the aforesaid mobile dental vehicles, including the equipment, subject to accounting and auditing rules and RA 9184 or the Government Procurement Reform Act, should procurement of goods and/or services be necessary;
The maintenance costs and other expenses of the operation of the MDV must be included in the planning and budgeting process at the regional and SDO levels.
5. Consider adding the DepEd logo to the front and sides of the mobile dental vehicles to signify the partnership between the DOH and the DepEd;
6. Designate a staff/s to be the focal person to coordinate with the DOH and DepED CO for purposes of program monitoring and evaluation.
IV. Specific Guidelines
1. Target group
1.1. Learners will be the priority. Teaching and non-teaching personnel
2. Schools Division Offices (SDOs) Visits
2.1. SDO with the highest dental caries prevalence rate shall be prioritized
2.2. Dentists in the SDOs shall help on rotation basis in their duties at the MDV
2.3. SDOs shall provide dental supplies and medicines where MDV is stationed
3. School Visits
3.1. Schools with highest dental caries shall be given priority
3.2. MDV may be stationed at the school district wherein satellite schools can also avail the services
4. MDV Equipment Operation
4.1. Check the amount of clean water and sewage; do the adding of water or discharging work
4.2. Connect the mains (home/extemal electricity); plug the reel cable into the socket
4.3. Plug the cable from the control box into the cable reel
4.4. Turn on the main switch for the whole vehicle and turn on the power switch
4.5. Turn on the inverter (press the ON button for 3 seconds)
4.6. Turn on the 220 voltage power main switch
4.7. Sterilizer, air compressor, dental chair, water pump switches can be turned on in the control according to needs
4.8. Utilize the dental equipment
5. Vehicle Daily Maintenance
5.1. Check for Battery and Belt, lights (warning and information lamps included), oil, water, air and fuel
V. Report Submission
The regional office must submit a report, following the template below at email address: hnc.health@vahoo.com before the closing of the present school year.
