Addressing the Silent Epidemic: World Oral Health Day 2026 Focuses on Africa

On World Oral Health Day 2026, the World Health Organization (WHO) is turning its attention to the widespread yet often overlooked challenge of oral diseases across the African Region. Despite being among the most common and preventable health conditions, oral health remains a neglected area of public health, impacting millions and straining healthcare systems.

The Scale of the Problem

Oral diseases, including dental caries (cavities), gum disease, tooth loss, and the severe condition noma, affected 42% of the population in the WHO African Region in 2021 WHO Regional Office for Africa. These conditions not only cause significant pain and disability but also place a sustained burden on families, communities, and health systems.

A Framework for Change

Recognizing the urgency of the situation, Member States endorsed the WHO African Regional Framework on Oral Health in 2025 WHO Regional Office for Africa. This framework builds upon the WHO Global Oral Health Action Plan, charting a course towards universal oral health coverage by 2030.

National Strategies in Action

Several countries are already taking concrete steps to improve oral health outcomes:

• Ghana, Madagascar, Tanzania, and Uganda: With financial support from the Borrow Foundation, these nations have developed national oral health strategies focused on strengthening prevention and service delivery WHO Regional Office for Africa.
• Ethiopia: Supported by Hilfsaktion Noma e.V., Ethiopia has trained over 850 primary care and community health workers across 10 regions to improve early detection of noma, integrating surveillance into mass drug administration campaigns reaching over 2.6 million people WHO Regional Office for Africa.
• Malawi: Malawi has established its first Bachelor of Dental Surgery program and a new dental school, graduating its first locally-trained dentists to bolster national training capacity WHO Regional Office for Africa.
• Tanzania: Workforce expansion and strategic deployment are enhancing access to early care and improving long-term health outcomes. Between 2023 and 2025, the proportion of health facilities providing restorative treatments increased from 25% to 45% WHO Regional Office for Africa.

International Collaboration

WHO Collaborating Centres, including the Japan Institute for Health Security and Niigata University, are providing support to countries like Kenya, Tanzania, and Zambia to strengthen primary care level oral health services through workforce training and expanded delivery of essential interventions WHO Regional Office for Africa.

Persistent Challenges

Despite progress, significant gaps remain. Currently, only 17% of people in the WHO African Region have access to essential oral health services WHO Regional Office for Africa. Workforce shortages, underinvestment, and insufficient prevention measures – including high sugar consumption and inadequate fluoride exposure – continue to drive preventable oral diseases, particularly in underserved areas.

Towards Sustainable Oral Healthcare

WHO is also supporting countries in transitioning to environmentally sustainable and less invasive oral health care practices, including phasing out mercury-containing dental amalgam in line with the Minamata Convention on Mercury WHO Regional Office for Africa. This is being achieved through evidence-based guidance, technical support, and new approaches like the recently issued WHO guideline on environmentally-friendly oral health.

The Importance of Oral Health for Universal Health Coverage

Improving oral health is integral to achieving universal health coverage. Beyond reducing preventable illness, it lowers long-term costs and enhances overall well-being.

On this World Oral Health Day, a call is made to governments, partners, academia, and civil society to unite in accelerating the implementation of national oral health strategies, strengthening workforce capacity, and expanding access to essential services. WHO remains committed to supporting Member States in integrating oral health into national health systems and advancing equitable access to care.

With sustained commitment and investment, the African Region can significantly reduce the burden of oral diseases and ensure future generations grow, learn, and live free from preventable oral health issues.