By Patrick Chiriba
Today, March 20, 2025, the world marks World Oral Health Day—a global call to action to prioritize a part of our well-being too often ignored: our mouths.
This year’s theme, “A Happy Mouth is a Happy Mind,” shines a spotlight on the profound link between oral health and mental well-being.
It’s a message that resonates everywhere—from the bustling streets of urban dwellings to rural villages in the country and beyond—because a healthy mouth isn’t just about a bright smile; it’s about a healthier life.
The numbers tell a stark story. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), oral diseases affect an estimated 3.5 billion people globally—nearly half the world’s population.
Between 1990 and 2019, cases surged by over 1 billion, a 50% increase that outpaced global population growth.
Untreated dental caries (tooth decay) remains the most prevalent noncommunicable disease worldwide, impacting 2.3 billion people.
Periodontal (gum) disease, a leading cause of tooth loss, affects 20-50% of humanity. These aren’t just statistics—they’re a wake-up call about a public health crisis hiding in plain sight.
In Kenya, the picture is equally concerning. While comprehensive national data remains limited, the WHO’s African Region, which includes Kenya, reported that 42% of its population suffered from oral diseases in 2021.
Dental caries and gum disease are widespread, compounded by a severe shortage of dental professionals—approximately one dentist per 40,000 people, far below the global recommendation.
Add to that the rising threat of noma, a devastating gangrenous disease of the mouth that primarily strikes children, and it’s clear: oral health is a frontline issue here at home.
But this isn’t just a Kenyan problem—it’s a global one. Worldwide, oral diseases share risk factors with other major noncommunicable diseases like diabetes, cancer, and heart disease: high sugar intake, tobacco use, alcohol consumption, and poor hygiene.
In Kenya, the consumption of sugary sodas and snacks has soared alongside urbanization, while tobacco chewing remains a stubborn habit in some communities.
These trends mirror patterns globally, where socioeconomic inequalities amplify the burden—poor and marginalized populations, face higher prevalence and less access to care.
The mental health angle of this year’s campaign hits particularly close to home. Studies show that poor oral health can erode self-confidence, hinder social interactions, and even contribute to depression.
In Kenya, where cultural emphasis on appearance and community ties runs deep, a missing tooth or chronic bad breath can carry a heavy emotional toll.
Globally, the WHO notes that oral cancer, with its disfiguring effects, claims lives at a rate that doubles in regions like South-East Asia—yet awareness remains low.
The WHO’s Global Oral Health Action Plan 2023–2030 aims for universal health coverage for oral health by 2030, integrating it into primary care and tackling shared risk factors with other diseases.
Last November, the first-ever Global Oral Health Meeting in Thailand saw 29 African nations, draft national roadmaps to accelerate these efforts.
Here in Kenya, strides like the school-based oral health programs are promising steps—but they’re not enough. Access to services remains patchy, especially in rural areas, and public awareness lags.
This World Oral Health Day, the call to action is clear: governments, communities, and individuals must step up.
Kenya can lead by example—expanding dental training, taxing sugary drinks more aggressively, and weaving oral health into mental wellness campaigns.
Globally, the push for equitable access to care must gain momentum, because no one should suffer silently from a preventable condition.
Whether in Mombasa or Mumbai, it starts small: brush twice a day, cut the sugar, skip the smoke, and see a dentist if you can.
