Kenya joined the global community in marking World Oral Health Day 2025 with national celebrations held at Nduluku Comprehensive School in Makueni County under the theme “A Happy Mouth Is… A Happy Mind.”
Speaking on behalf of the Principal Secretary for Medical Services, Dr. Rebecca Kiptui, the Acting Director for Curative and Nursing Services, emphasized the need to integrate oral health into universal health coverage (UHC), citing its direct link to mental and overall well-being.
Dr. Kiptui referenced the 2015 National Oral Health Survey, which revealed that 98.1% of adults suffer from gum disease, 46.3% of five-year-olds have tooth decay, and 41.4% of children experience dental fluorosis, primarily due to borehole water use.
She also noted the dentist-to-population ratio remains critically low at 0.27 per 10,000 people, with only 13% of health facilities offering oral health services, making access a significant challenge, especially in rural areas.
The Ministry of Health reaffirmed its commitment to improving oral healthcare through the Kenya National Oral Health Policy 2022–2030 and the Strategic Plan 2022–2026.
County governments were urged to appoint County Dentists and prioritize oral health funding to enhance service delivery and accessibility nationwide.
