WHO reports only 17% of Africans have access to essential oral health care, with key oral diseases affecting 42% of the population

[dropcap]T[/dropcap]he Acting Regional Director for Africa of the World Health Organization (WHO), Dr. Chikwe Ihekweazu, has called attention to the pressing oral health challenges in the African region, despite some advancements in care.

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Speaking in his message for the 2025 World Oral Health Day on March 20, Dr. Ihekweazu revealed that a significant 42% of the WHO African Region’s population suffers from oral diseases, including dental caries, gum disease, and tooth loss.

Dr. Ihekweazu noted that the African region continues to face substantial barriers in providing adequate oral health care.

Only 17% of the population has access to essential oral health services, making the region lag behind on key oral health indicators.

He emphasized that diseases like noma, a rapidly progressing and life-threatening gangrenous disease of the mouth that primarily affects children, remain a grave concern.

If left untreated, noma has a high fatality rate, and survivors often face lifelong impairments and social stigma.

“Oral diseases are not just a matter of dental care, but a reflection of broader health inequalities in the region,” Dr. Ihekweazu stated.

He also identified several risk factors, such as tobacco use, alcohol consumption, and high sugar intake, that contribute to the prevalence of oral health issues, linking these to other non-communicable diseases (NCDs) like diabetes, cancer, and cardiovascular diseases.

He suggested that an integrated approach to health care would help tackle both oral diseases and NCDs more effectively.

To address these challenges, Dr. Ihekweazu pointed out the Regional Oral Health Strategy 2016–2025, which was endorsed by member states, aiming to integrate oral health into broader noncommunicable disease prevention efforts.

Despite these steps, progress has been slow. For example, the region’s oral health workforce remains insufficient, with only 56,772 oral health workers across the continent, far below the 158,916 required to meet the population’s needs.

The WHO also commended countries like Lesotho, Nigeria, Sierra Leone, Ethiopia, and Kenya for their efforts in improving oral health policies, training primary care and community health workers, and enhancing surveillance systems for noma.

In addition, Kenya, Tanzania, and Zambia have launched projects to improve access to dental materials, supported by Japan’s Ministry of Health.

Dr. Ihekweazu called for an accelerated implementation of the Global Oral Health Action Plan, which includes a monitoring framework and aims to incorporate oral health into global health systems.

He also emphasized the need for engaging multisectoral stakeholders, securing funding through innovative financing, and integrating oral health services into national benefits packages.

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“Oral health is a crucial part of overall well-being, and it is time to prioritize it,” Dr. Ihekweazu concluded, urging governments and international partners to take concrete actions to bridge the gap in oral health care access across Africa.