Neglecting Oral Health Hurts Africa’s Future – WHO Warns
Princess-Ekwi Ajide
As the world marks World Oral Health Day 2025, the World Health Organisation (WHO) has raised concerns over the persistent neglect of oral health across Africa, warning that poor oral hygiene is not just about cavities but a silent contributor to long-term health and social challenges in the region.
The Acting WHO Regional Director for Africa, Dr. Chikwe Ihekweazu, in a statement to commemorate the day, said oral diseases ranging from dental caries and gum disease to the devastating noma infection continue to affect millions across the continent.
In 2021 alone, 42% of the population in the WHO African Region was impacted by oral diseases.
Despite some progress, including the development of national oral health policies in countries like Nigeria, Sierra Leone, and Lesotho, Dr. Ihekweazu noted that Africa still lags behind in key oral health indicators, with only 17% of the population accessing essential oral care services.
The WHO African Regional Director, called for urgent action, urging African governments to integrate oral health into Universal Health Coverage (UHC) and noncommunicable disease (NCD) programmes. “We have the strategy now we must implement it,” Dr. Ihekweazu stressed, highlighting the need for multisectoral partnerships, sustainable financing, and a people-centred approach.
As global and regional efforts intensify, WHO said countries must prioritise prevention, expand the oral health workforce, and ensure communities especially children are protected from diseases that are both preventable and treatable.
This year’s campaign reminds Africa and the world that oral health is health.
