Oral Health in Africa: Building Research and Policy Capacity for Sustainable Change

Authors

  • Abimbola Oladayo Missouri School of Dentistry and Oral Health, A.T. Still University, Kirksville, Missouri, USA
  • Moréniké Oluwátóyìn Foláyan The Africa Oral Health Network (AFRONE), Alexandria University, Alexandria, Egypt , Department of Child Dental Health, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ife, Nigeria https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9008-7730 (unauthenticated)
  • Maha El Tantawi Department of Pediatric Dentistry and Dental Public Health, Faculty of Dentistry, Alexandria University, Alexandria, Egypt , The Africa Oral Health Network (AFRONE), Alexandria University, Alexandria, Egypt https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4989-6584 (unauthenticated)
  • Olaniyi Olufemi Taiwo Intercountry Center for Oral Health for Africa, Jos, Nigeria
  • Azeez Butali Department of Oral Pathology, Radiology and Medicine, College of Dentistry, University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa, USA , Iowa Institute for Oral Health Research, University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa, USA https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1229-5964 (unauthenticated)

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.61172/dzg1s636

Keywords:

Oral Health Policy, Research Capacity-Building, Health Systems Strengthening, Africa, Universal Health Coverage (UHC), Community-Based Interventions, WHO Global Strategy.

Abstract

Oral health disparities in Africa are stark, characterized by limited access, fragmented data systems, low political will, and persistent underfunding. With the WHO Global Oral Health Action Plan 2022–2030 calling for integration, prevention, and equity, African researchers and institutions are stepping into leadership roles to drive contextualized, data-informed, and sustainable solutions. This perspective synthesizes insights from African-led initiatives, including collaborative research networks, institution-based innovations, and field trial systems, which are designed to generate locally relevant evidence for clinical interventions and future research. This article draws on experiences across subregions and institutions, informed by the "Oral Health in Africa" symposium at the 2025 International Association for Dental Research (IADR) General Session. The article covers community field trials in Egypt, the initiative of the Intercountry Centre for Oral Health in Nigeria, and continent-wide research networks. It highlights opportunities for transformative change in African oral health and outlines priorities for data generation, policy alignment, institutional coordination, and funding strategies necessary to deliver on the global oral health agenda.

 

Key words: Oral Health Policy, Research Capacity-Building, Health Systems Strengthening, Africa, Universal Health Coverage (UHC), Community-Based Interventions, WHO Global Strategy.

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Author Biographies

  • Moréniké Oluwátóyìn Foláyan, The Africa Oral Health Network (AFRONE), Alexandria University, Alexandria, Egypt, Department of Child Dental Health, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ife, Nigeria

    The Africa Oral Health Network (AFRONE) and The Department of Child Dental Health

  • Maha El Tantawi, Department of Pediatric Dentistry and Dental Public Health, Faculty of Dentistry, Alexandria University, Alexandria, Egypt, The Africa Oral Health Network (AFRONE), Alexandria University, Alexandria, Egypt

    The Africa Oral Health Network (AFRONE) and Department of Pediatric Dentistry and Dental Public Health

  • Azeez Butali, Department of Oral Pathology, Radiology and Medicine, College of Dentistry, University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa, USA, Iowa Institute for Oral Health Research, University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa, USA

    Department of Oral Pathology, Radiology and Medicine

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Published

18-03-2026

Issue

Vol. 34 No. 1 (2026): Nigerian Dental Journal

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Copyright (c) 2026 ABIMBOLA OLADAYO; Moréniké Oluwátóyìn Foláyan, Maha El Tantawi, Olaniyi Olufemi Taiwo, Azeez Butali

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Copyright © 1999 The authors. This work, Nigerian Dental Journal by Nigerian Dental Association is licensed under Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

How to Cite

Oral Health in Africa: Building Research and Policy Capacity for Sustainable Change. (2026). Nigerian Dental Journal, 34(1). https://doi.org/10.61172/dzg1s636

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