By Caroline Katana
Kenya is making efforts to make quality dental care accessible to all citizens, as the government partners with dental professionals to integrate oral health into national health coverage.
The country’s Director-General for Health, Dr. Patrick Amoth, reaffirmed the government’s commitment while officially opening the Kenya Dental Association (KDA) Annual Scientific Conference in Diani, Kwale County, an event that brought together more than 500 dental professionals from across the nation.
“We are here to officially launch this dental conference so that we can evaluate the progress we’ve made as a country in oral health, learn about emerging innovations in dental care, and share new research findings from various counties,” said Dr. Amoth.
As a nation, we are happy to see the progress made, and we are working to ensure that Kenyans have access to better oral healthcare services.
Dr. Amoth announced that the Ministry of Health, through the Benefits Package and Tariffs Advisory Panel, is exploring ways to fully integrate dental services into the Social Health Authority (SHA) coverage.
“We’ve agreed that the Kenya Dental Association will conduct an assessment and submit proposals to the Benefits Package and Tariffs Advisory Panel. This will help us identify areas where we can expand coverage and improve access to quality dental services for all Kenyans,” he explained.
Despite technological and professional advances, Dr. Amoth warned that many Kenyans still neglect basic oral hygiene, leading to widespread and preventable dental diseases.
Director-General for Health, Dr. Patrick Amoth
“Many Kenyans are not paying enough attention to oral health. Children consume sugary foods like sweets and juices, while adults often smoke, which worsens oral health issues,” he said.
We’ve come together as professionals to discuss how we can raise awareness and prevent these conditions.
“Most dental diseases can be avoided through simple daily hygiene practices, such as brushing teeth twice a day,” he added
KDA President Dr. Kahura Mundia said the conference is a platform for dental experts to discuss strategies to improve access to oral healthcare, particularly for vulnerable populations.
“This is our first day of the conference where we are discussing how Kenyans can benefit from dental treatment through SHA insurance or public hospitals, We have about 500 qualified dentists here, covering various specialties all focused on improving oral health care for children, women, the elderly, and those who have limited access to services,” he said.
He urged both national and county governments to invest more in public dental facilities.
KDA President Dr. Kahura Mundia
“Today serves as a reminder to both levels of government on the importance of prioritizing oral health. Dr. Amoth’s presence underscores that message,” he added.
Dr. Mundia highlighted the severe shortage of dentists across Kenyan counties.
“It’s alarming that around 80% of Kenyans have never accessed dental care services. Oral diseases range from tooth decay and gum disease to infections of the tongue and throat, all of which fall under dental health,” he explained.
He noted that Kwale County, for example, has only three dentists, far below the recommended 10 to 15 needed to serve its population effectively.
“We are calling on the government to recruit more dental officers to meet this demand,” he urged.
Experts at the conference emphasized the need to shift from reactive treatment to preventive care through regular check-ups and education.
“The best approach is prevention, maintaining oral hygiene by brushing twice a day and visiting a health facility for check-ups whenever you have a dental problem,” said Dr. Mundia.
The Kenya Dental Association pledged to continue collaborating with the Ministry of Health and other stakeholders to strengthen oral health policies, boost public awareness, and ensure dental care becomes a fundamental part of Kenya’s universal health coverage.
