Every first quarter of the year, the Municipality of Arayat, Pampanga in the Philippines sponsors a free denture program for the needy people in the community. The year 2026 was no different! The program has been on-going for several years delivering free dentures for the people of Arayat.
Mayor Jeffrey Luriz funded the 2026 Balik Ngiti Program (“Bring back the Smiles”) providing 100 dentures for beneficiaries ranging from age 18 to 59 including one 13 and17 year old, two PWD ‘s and one mentally compromised patient.
The program was implemented by the municipal dentist, Dr. Frank Kibanoff and his staff, Ms. Cherry Mariano, Donna Garcia and Regie Santos.
All the procedures were done at the 3-year-old dental clinic built by the Municipality for the people of Arayat. The clinic is one of the 9 charity dental clinics in the Philippines fully equipped by Dentistry ForEvery Village Foundation, a non-profit based at Woodland Hills, California.
The Balik Ngiti Program is one of the special services being offered at the municipal dental clinic. Residents of Arayat can also avail of free emergency and basic dental services 5 days a week at the clinic.
The 2026 Balik Ngiti Program was launched by no less than the First Lady of the Municipality, Ms. Anne Sigua-Luriz. It is one of the many special social services provided by the municipality.
Studies by a prominent denture product manufacturer indicates less than 11% of Filipinos are denture wearers mainly because of the inability of many to afford them. Therefore, their chances of many getting hired for work is negatively impacted.
The aim of Balik Ngiti Program is not only to provide free dentures to give life changing experiences and restore dignity but to also to educate the townspeople of the significance of good oral health to help them address the issues that potentially impacts their over-all health.
Contrary to most beliefs, dentures are not only used by senior citizens. A study indicates that that 47% of Filipinos wearing dentures are under age 45. One national oral survey shows many more are at the risk of losing teeth due to the high prevalence of tooth decay and periodontal issues. This means that many Filipinos will be potential denture wearers but will remain toothless due to financial constraints.
The Balik Ngiti Program as well as the Preventive Dental Care Program for expectant mothers, together with the Fluoride Treatment Program for school children, and the Program for PWD and Senior Citizens are part of the overall health care programs that Mayor Luriz has given lots of attention and more importantly, funded. The Mayor believes that dental health care should be available for everyone and is therefore putting a lot of emphasis to it.
The Dentistry for Every Village Foundation, Inc., raises funds by seeking grants and donations to build dental clinics. These clinics are donated to health care institutions that have the resources to house the facility, experiences and expertise to run them efficiently, and whose management is supportive of the cause.
