By Dorothy Musyoka
Kenya joined the global community in celebrating World Oral Health Day 2025, with national events held at Nduluku Comprehensive School in Makueni County.
This year’s theme, “A Happy Mouth Is… A Happy Mind,” underscored the vital connection between oral health, mental well-being, and overall quality of life.
Speaking on behalf of the Principal Secretary for Medical Services, Dr. Rebecca Kiptui, Acting Director for Curative and Nursing Services, stressed the urgent need to integrate oral health into Universal Health Coverage (UHC).
She highlighted alarming statistics from the 2015 National Oral Health Survey noting that, “ only 13% of health facilities offer oral health services, with dentist-to-population ratio at 0.27 per 10,000. Access is especially limited in rural and primary care settings.”
The Ministry of Health reaffirmed its dedication to improving oral healthcare through the Kenya National Oral Health Policy 2022–2030 and the Strategic Plan 2022–2026.
The event featured free dental check-ups, community education programs, and demonstrations on proper oral hygiene, aiming to encourage preventive care and reduce the burden of dental diseases.
As Kenya pushes for Universal Health Coverage, integrating accessible, affordable, and quality oral health services remains a key priority.
The Ministry pledged continued collaboration with county governments, dental professionals, and stakeholders to expand services and promote lifelong oral well-being.