The Case for Prioritizing Oral Health in Kenya’s Healthcare System

By Robert Mutasi

Caring for your teeth is very important for your overall health, but it is something that is often overlooked in Kenya.

The Kenya Dental Association (KDA) recently called for dental care to be included in the country's Universal Health Care plan (UHC), which is a much needed measure to remedy this issue.

Access to quality dental care should not be seen as a luxury-it is something that every Kenyan should have.

Expanding services through the Social Health Authority (SHA) is critical to improving public health, promoting the economy, and ensuring equity in healthcare.

Many people don't realize that problems with your teeth can affect more than just your mouth.

Issues such as untreated cavity, gum disease and infection can lead to serious health problems such as heart disease, diabetic complications and lung infections.

Plus, poor oral health can damage your mental health as well-toothache and toothlessness can hurt your self-esteem and make cooperation difficult.

By including dental services at UHC, the government can help find and treat dental problems early before they turn into serious health risks.

Everyone should get preventive care such as regular examinations, fluoride treatments, and education on how to keep their lips healthy, regardless of their financial condition.

To make dental care more affordable, the government should look to manufacture dental equipment and equipment locally. Based on imports, Kenya can reduce costs and create job opportunities in healthcare.

Furthermore, ensuring that comprehensive dental care is handled under the benefits of SHA can reduce the financial burden on people and encourage frequent dental visits, which can help alleviate serious oral health problems.

With the government tending to focus on preventive health care, the KDA's Community Health Promoter training program (CHPs) 750 in oral health is a major step.

Giving a word and early entry into the social ladder is necessary to cope with an increase in dental problems.

CHPS can help educate people about good oral hygiene and identify early signs of dental problems.

One major issue that KDA highlighted was how expensive dental care can be, which puts a lot of strain on families.

Since more than 90% of dental equipment is imported, dental treatment can be very expensive, making it difficult for many people to get the care they need.

Therefore, many Kenyans only go to the dentist when the pain is unbearable-often if it is too late for a simple correction.