The World Health Organisation (WHO) says only 17 per cent of people in Africa currently have access to essential oral health services.
Mohamed Janabi, WHO Regional Director for Africa, disclosed this in a message to commemorate World Oral Health Day 2026 with the theme: “A Happy Mouth is a Happy Life”.
Janabi said that the workforce shortages, chronic underinvestment and insufficient prevention measures, including high sugar consumption and inadequate fluoride exposure, has continued to drive preventable oral diseases, especially in underserved areas.
”WHO is supporting countries to transition towards environmentally sustainable and less invasive oral health care, including the phase-out of mercury-containing dental amalgam in line with the Minamata Convention on Mercury.
”Through evidence-based guidance, technical support and new evidence-based approaches, including the recently issued WHO guideline on environmentally-friendly and less invasive oral health.
”WHO is helping expand prevention, strengthen service delivery and integrate essential oral health interventions at the primary care level,” he said.
According to him, improving oral health is fundamental to universal health coverage.
He added that in addition to reducing preventable illnesses, it also lowers long-term costs and improves well-being across the life course.
”On this World Oral Health Day, I call on governments, partners, academia and civil society to unite to accelerate implementation of national oral health strategies, strengthen workforce capacity and expand 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.”
He said that on World Oral Health Day 2026, the organisation turns its attention to a silent but widespread health challenge affecting communities across the WHO African Region.
”Oral diseases are among the most common and preventable health conditions, yet they remain one of the most neglected areas of public health.
”Oral diseases, including dental caries, gum disease, tooth loss and the devastating condition Noma, affected 42 per cent of our population in 2021.
”These conditions cause pain, disability and avoidable suffering, while placing sustained pressure on families, communities and health systems,” he said.
According to him, recognising the burden, Member States endorsed the WHO African Regional Framework on Oral Health in 2025.
