As the world marks World Oral Health Day, the Acting WHO Regional Director for Africa, Dr Chikwe Ihekweazu, has called for a commitment to tackling oral diseases in the region.
With oral health often overlooked, he emphasised its crucial role in overall well-being and the urgent need for stronger policies and interventions.
World Oral Health Day is observed annually on 20 March, and it is a vital opportunity to raise awareness and prioritise oral health.
Oral diseases remain a significant public health challenge in Africa. In 2021, 42 per cent of the region’s population was affected by conditions such as dental caries, gum disease, and tooth loss. Also, Africa records the highest number of noma cases, a severe, gangrenous disease that mainly affects young children and, if untreated, has a high fatality rate.
In response to these challenges, African Member States adopted the Regional Oral Health Strategy 2016–2025, integrating oral disease prevention into broader non-communicable disease (NCD) control programmes.
Ihekweazu said that the diseases share common risk factors with NCDs, such as diabetes, cancer, and cardiovascular diseases, making an integrated approach more effective.
However, the region still struggles with low access to essential oral health services. Only 17 per cent of the population has access to basic oral healthcare. The oral health workforce is also critically inadequate, with just 0.37 oral health workers per 10,000 people, far below the required 1.33 per 10,000 to meet demand.
To accelerate progress, WHO convened its first-ever Global Oral Health Meeting in Thailand in November 2024. The meeting brought together 350 delegates, including the Comoros Minister of Health and representatives from 29 African countries. The meeting resulted in developing national roadmaps to strengthen oral health efforts.
A regional framework for faster implementation will be discussed at the Seventy-fifth Regional Committee for Africa later this year.
Dr. Ihekweazu urged governments and stakeholders to prioritise oral health policies, expand access to services, and invest in workforce development. “We must do more,” he said, emphasising that improving oral health is key to better overall health outcomes across Africa.
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