Nigeria’s oral health crisis requires urgent and coordinated intervention from government, private sector stakeholders and individuals, a dental health expert, Dr. Olufunmilayo Adeniyi, has said, as the world marks World Oral Health Day 2026.
Speaking during an interview on ARISE News on Friday, Adeniyi, founder and clinical director of Luxe Dental Clinic and executive director at Smile Doctor Foundation, said oral health is a fundamental component of overall wellbeing and should be treated as a basic human right.
She noted that Nigeria continues to face a high burden of dental diseases due to the limited attention given to oral health within the country’s primary healthcare system.
“There is no health if oral health is out of place,” she said, stressing that the mouth plays a critical role in communication, nutrition and social interaction, and serves as the entry point into the body.
Adeniyi described the gap in oral healthcare delivery as a multi-sectoral challenge, calling on government, healthcare professionals, private institutions and citizens to work together to improve access and awareness.
According to her, expanding access to dental care will require deliberate policy action, including increased funding, improved support for practitioners and stronger collaboration with private organisations.
She emphasised that access to oral healthcare should not be determined by income level, noting that many Nigerians are unable to afford proper dental care despite its importance to overall health.
The dental expert highlighted ongoing efforts by private practitioners and foundations to bridge the gap, including the use of internally generated funds to provide care for underserved groups such as students, persons with disabilities and individuals with special needs.
She also pointed to structural challenges affecting the sector, including limited access to funding, high operational costs and poor remuneration for dental professionals, which continue to discourage investment in oral healthcare services.
Adeniyi, however, observed a growing level of awareness among Nigerians, with more people now seeking preventive care such as routine dental cleaning rather than waiting until severe conditions develop.
Despite this progress, she warned that gum diseases remain prevalent due to poor oral hygiene practices and irregular dental visits, noting that many of these conditions are preventable.
She further noted an increasing demand for cosmetic dental procedures, reflecting changing attitudes towards oral health and aesthetics, while advising that such treatments should only be carried out by qualified professionals.
On child dental care, she stressed the importance of early education, urging parents to instil proper oral hygiene habits, including brushing twice daily, flossing and regular dental check-ups.
She added that reducing the consumption of sugary foods and discouraging harmful habits such as prolonged bottle feeding can significantly improve children’s oral health outcomes.
World Oral Health Day, marked annually on March 20, promotes global awareness of oral hygiene, with the 2026 theme highlighting the connection between a healthy mouth and a happy, fulfilling life.
Triumph Ojo
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