Ghana joined the global community in celebrating World Oral Health Day 2025, themed “A Happy Mouth is a Happy Mind”, with a call for urgent attention to oral health issues.

The event was officially launched at the Ghana Health Service (GHS) Headquarters on Thursday, March 20, 2025, bringing together health professionals, policymakers, and international partners to discuss the state of oral health in the country.

The acting Director-General of the GHS, Prof Samuel Kaba Akoriyea, expressed deep concern about the high prevalence of oral diseases in Ghana.

He revealed that over 70 per cent of Ghanaian adults suffer from oral health conditions, with tooth decay affecting people of all age groups.

“There is a need to train more dental practitioners to reduce the shortage of dentists in the country. From next year, oral health celebrations will be held in schools and markets, and the Ghana Health Service will leverage technology to improve oral health access across the country,” he stated.

The General Secretary of the Ghana Medical Association (GMA), Richard Salomey, emphasised the direct connection between oral health and general well-being, stressing that oral hygiene is often overlooked in national health discussions.

“Oral health goes beyond the teeth alone. The mouth plays a key role in our body, yet not much attention has been given to oral health. Nationally, there is a clear absence of a national oral health policy,” he noted.

A representative from the World Health Organization (WHO), Mr Bamfour, also called for urgent attention to oral cancer, citing its serious impact alongside gum disease and tooth decay.

“World Oral Health Day is a vital opportunity to raise awareness and prioritise oral health, an often-overlooked aspect of overall health. As of 2021, oral diseases such as dental caries, gum disease, and tooth loss affected 42% of the WHO Africa Region’s population,” he stated.

As oral health remains a crucial component of overall well-being, health experts and stakeholders continue to advocate for a national oral health policy to address these pressing concerns.