Oral health, though often overlooked, plays an important role in an individual’s overall well-being.
It encompasses the condition of the mouth, teeth, and facial structures, enabling individuals to eat, breathe, and speak comfortably while maintaining self-confidence and social engagement.
However, albeit its importance, oral health remains a severely neglected aspect of healthcare in many parts of Africa.
According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), only 17 per cent of the African population has access to essential oral health services.
This staggering statistic reflects a huge gap in care that requires immediate attention.
Recognising this crisis, Dr Chikwe Ihekweazu, Acting WHO Regional Director for Africa, used the occasion of World Oral Health Day to emphasise the need for greater awareness and prioritisation of oral health.
It is celebrated on March 20 annually.
“Oral health is an often-overlooked but essential component of overall well-being,” he stated, stressing that the day serves as a vital platform to advocate for improvements in oral healthcare across the continent.
According to him, one of the primary challenges contributing to Africa’s oral health crisis is the critical shortage of skilled professionals.
Ihekweazu revealed that the continent has only 56,772 oral health workers; including dentists, dental assistants, and therapists.
This is far below the required 158,916 professionals needed to meet the demand.
“The region only has 0.37 workers per 10,000 people, which is significantly lower than the recommended 1.33 per 10,000,” he noted.
To address these challenges, WHO convened its first-ever Global Oral Health Meeting in Thailand in November 2024.
The event brought together 350 participants, including health ministers and other stakeholders, to develop national roadmaps aimed at improving access to oral health services across Africa.
A regional framework for these efforts will be discussed at the 75th Regional Committee for Africa later in 2025.
However, the issue extends beyond the availability of care.
In 2021, diseases such as dental caries, gum disease, and tooth loss affected 42 per cent of the WHO African Region’s population.
Additionally, Africa has the highest prevalence of noma—a rapidly progressing, non-contagious gangrenous disease that primarily affects children.
“If left untreated, noma can have a high fatality rate, and survivors often endure long-term impairments and face societal stigma.
“The lack of access to proper oral healthcare for those affected by noma and other oral diseases remains a critical issue, “ Ihekweazu explained.
One harrowing example is the story of Aishatu Jacob, a noma survivor from a rural village in Nigeria.
As a child, she suffered extensive tissue damage due to the disease, but because of the lack of accessible oral healthcare in her area, her condition worsened.
By the time she received treatment, the disease had left her permanently disfigured.
Jacob’s story shows the harsh impact of inadequate oral healthcare in Nigeria and the crucial role of survivors in driving change.
In spite of these challenges, efforts are being made to bridge the gap.
WHO’s Regional Oral Health Strategy 2016–2025 aims to integrate oral diseases into broader non-communicable disease (NCD) prevention and control programmes.
Additionally, the WHO global strategy, endorsed at the 74th World Health Assembly, has helped bring oral health issues into discussions on NCDs and Universal Health Coverage (UHC).
“In some countries, progress is evident, with support from organisations such as Hilfsaktion Noma e.V. and the Borrow Foundation, nations like Lesotho, Nigeria, and Sierra Leone have developed oral health policies.
“Ethiopia and Kenya have also trained hundreds of primary care and community health workers, improving grassroots oral health education, “Ihekweazu noted.
However, oral health remains a low priority for many African governments.
WHO estimates that 70 per cent of African nations spend less than one dollar per person per year on dental care.
This alarming figure underscores the need for increased investment in oral health services.
Beyond physical well-being, poor oral health also affects mental health.
Dr Theophilus Agho, Chairman of the Nigeria Dental Association’s FCT Chapter, emphasises the psychological impact of oral health conditions.
“Poor oral hygiene, including conditions like bad breath (halitosis), can significantly impact an individual’s social and mental well-being,” he explained during a speech marking World Oral Health Day in Abuja.
The stigma associated with bad breath, for instance, can lead to social anxiety, depression, and a decline in self-confidence.
Recognising this, Agho strongly advocates for good oral hygiene practices as a means of maintaining both physical and mental health.
“In light of these facts, it is crucial for individuals to adopt good oral hygiene practices,” he advised, recommending brushing twice daily, limiting sugary foods, and visiting a dentist at least twice a year.
These simple steps, he stressed, can greatly improve quality of life.
Globally, research has shown that maintaining good oral hygiene can reduce the risk of serious health conditions, including heart disease, diabetes, and respiratory infections.
A study published by The Lancet in 2023 found that individuals with untreated gum disease had a 30 per cent higher risk of developing cardiovascular disease.
Similarly, poor oral hygiene has been linked to an increased risk of pneumonia, as bacteria from the mouth can be aspirated into the lungs.
The Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) also reports that people with diabetes are more likely to suffer from severe gum disease, which, in turn, makes it harder to control blood sugar levels.
Encouragingly, some African governments are beginning to take action.
During the 2025 World Oral Health Day celebrations in Lagos, Mrs Adenike Oyetunde-Lawal, General Manager of the Lagos State Office for Disability Affairs, reaffirmed the state’s commitment to promoting oral health among people with disabilities.
This initiative seeks to address the unique challenges faced by individuals with disabilities, who are at greater risk of severe oral health complications due to inadequate care.
To tackle these challenges, the Lagos State government has pledged to provide free dental services and collaborate with organisations such as Smiles Foundation to raise awareness and improve access to dental care.
As the fight for better oral health continues across Africa, the stories of survivors like Jacob and the persistent efforts of governments and organisations provide hope.
Stakeholders say while significant work remains, it is clear that raising awareness, prioritising oral health in health policies, and investing in oral health education can transform lives across the continent.
They argue that Oral health is not merely about achieving a perfect smile, but about maintaining a healthy body, mind, and overall well-being.
As Dr Abba Badamasi, Chairman of the Medical Advisory Committee at the National Hospital Abuja, aptly states, “If your mouth is not healthy, you are not healthy”. (NANFeatures)
