Oral Health: A Critical Look at Progress in Africa

Oral health is a big deal. It affects how people live and work. It is a key part of overall health. Yet, oral diseases are a major issue in the WHO African region. They are among the most common noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) in this area. There is a clear need for action. Two strategies were put in place to tackle this problem. The WHO African Regional Oral Health Strategy and the WHO Global Strategy on Oral Health were endorsed in 2016 and 2022. These strategies aim to integrate oral health into universal health coverage (UHC). They stress the need for research. This research should be specific to the region and its needs. However, there is a lack of evidence-based research to support oral health policies in the region. A project called “Evidence to Policy” was launched to address this gap. It involved the University of Pennsylvania, African universities led by the University of Nairobi, and the WHO Regional Office for Africa. The project has three phases. The first phase involved analyzing stakeholders. The second phase included an online survey and literature reviews. These activities aimed to identify research gaps and barriers to oral health policy development. The third phase involved sharing these findings with stakeholders. This phase culminated in a meeting held in Nairobi, Kenya, in November 2023. About 70 participants attended. They included oral health educators and representatives from the Ministry of Health and WHO. They discussed the findings and made actionable recommendations. These recommendations were aligned with the WHO Global Strategy. The meeting ended with a pledge. Participants promised to keep the lines of communication open between academia and policymakers. They committed to working together towards universal health coverage for oral health. This commitment was formalized in the “Nairobi Declaration. ” This declaration is a significant step forward. It shows a collective effort to improve oral health in the region. However, the real test will be in the implementation of these recommendations. Will the stakeholders follow through on their promises? Time will tell. But for now, it is a positive development. It shows that there is a willingness to address the oral health challenges in the region. There is a lot of work to be done. Oral health is not just about teeth. It is about overall well-being. It is about people being able to live their lives to the fullest. The meeting in Nairobi was a step in the right direction. It brought together key players in the oral health field. It highlighted the need for evidence-based policies. It also showed the importance of collaboration. But it is just the beginning. The real work starts now. It is up to the stakeholders to turn these recommendations into action. It is up to them to make oral health a priority in the region. It is up to them to ensure that everyone has access to the oral health care they need.