4 Cebu grads top Dentistry Licensure Examination

Local

FOUR graduates from Cebu-based schools landed in the Top 10 of the November–December 2025 Dentistry Licensure Examination.

Leading the topnotchers from Cebu-based is Cebu Doctors University (CDU) graduate Zoe Otsenre Garsuta Taclay, who clinched the second-highest passing rate at 86.83 percent, according to results released by the Professional Regulation Commission (PRC) Board of Dentistry.

Taclay was joined in the national Top 10 by three graduates of Southwestern University: Irene May Panilagao Robles, who placed third with 86.70 percent; Rochell Garingo, sixth with 86.47 percent; and Steffi Zen Butihen Villas, seventh with 86.14 percent.

Nationally, Irish Kyle Katipunan Mateo of the University of the East–Manila topped the examination with an 87.73 percent rating.

The PRC reported that 1,282 out of 1,474 examinees passed the Dentist Licensure Examination, translating to an overall passing rate of 86.97 percent.

CDU and Centro Escolar University–Makati were named top-performing schools, each posting a 100 percent passing rate.

The November–December 2025 Dentist Licensure Examination was conducted on November 24 to 26, 2025, for the written component, and from December 1 to 6, 2025, for the practical phase, with testing centers in Metro Manila.

Successful examinees may begin securing online appointments for initial registration starting February 16, 2026, to obtain their Professional Identification Card and Certificate of Registration.

The PRC also announced that passers who wish to attend the face-to-face mass oath-taking must register no later than noon of the day before the scheduled oath-taking date. Those unable to attend in person may opt for virtual or special oath-taking arrangements, subject to confirmation and posted schedules on the PRC website.

Online registration for oath-taking closes five days before the scheduled date.

In the June 2025 Dentist Licensure Examination, 764 out of 969 examinees passed for a 78.84 percent passing rate, while the December 2024 examination posted a lower passing rate of 67.83 percent, with 873 out of 1,287 examinees passing.(TGP)