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

ABIMBOLA Oladayo; Moréniké Oluwátóyìn Foláyan; Maha El Tantawi; Olaniyi Olufemi Taiwo; Azeez Butali

doi:10.61172/dzg1s636

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

Journal article

Open access

Peer reviewed

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

ABIMBOLA Oladayo, Moréniké Oluwátóyìn Foláyan, Maha El Tantawi, Olaniyi Olufemi Taiwo and Azeez Butali

Nigerian Dental Journal, Vol.34(1)

03/18/2026

DOI: 10.61172/dzg1s636

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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.

Oral Health Policy

Research Capacity-Building

Health Systems Strengthening

Africa

Universal Health Coverage (UHC)

Community-Based Interventions

WHO Global Strategy

Details

Title: Subtitle: Oral Health in Africa: Building Research and Policy Capacity for Sustainable Change
Creators: ABIMBOLA Oladayo - A.T. Still University
Moréniké Oluwátóyìn Foláyan - Obafemi Awolowo University
Maha El Tantawi - Alexandria University
Olaniyi Olufemi Taiwo - University of Jos
Azeez Butali - University of Iowa
Resource Type: Journal article
Publication Details: Nigerian Dental Journal, Vol.34(1)
DOI: 10.61172/dzg1s636
ISSN: 0189-1006
eISSN: 3043-6613
Publisher: Nigerian Dental Association
Language: English
Date published: 03/18/2026
Academic Unit: Oral Pathology, Radiology and Medicine; Stead Family Department of Pediatrics; Craniofacial Anomalies Research Center; Dental Research
Record Identifier: 9985148849702771

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