By Elizabeth Wasunna, General Manager, AAR Healthcare Kenya
When most people think about health, they think of blood pressure checks or perhaps vaccinations. Rarely does oral health come to mind, even though the state of our mouths plays a critical role in our overall well-being, not just physically, but mentally and emotionally.
This World Oral Health Day is a timely reminder that oral health isn’t just about avoiding cavities, it’s about building a healthier, more confident and emotionally resilient nation. This year’s theme, “A Happy Mouth is A Happy Mind,” urges us to reflect on the often-overlooked link between oral health and mental well-being, a connection that is becoming increasingly relevant in Kenya’s public health landscape.
In Kenya today, oral disease is a hidden epidemic. Tooth decay, gum disease, dental fluorosis, and even severe infections like noma are quietly affecting millions of people, especially children and underserved communities. According to the Ministry of Health’s Oral Health Survey (2022), over 50% of Kenyans suffer from untreated dental caries, while more than 90% show signs of gum disease. In regions with naturally high fluoride levels in water, up to 41% of school-going children live with dental fluorosis, a condition that not only affects physical health but also undermines self-esteem, social interactions, and psychosocial development, especially among adolescents.
These aren’t just statistics, they represent everyday challenges that reduce quality of life, increase stress, and affect productivity and emotional well-being. For children, persistent tooth pain can lead to missed school days, poor nutrition, and diminished concentration. For adults, untreated dental problems can cause embarrassment, reduce self-confidence, and even trigger social withdrawal and anxiety.
What many people may not realize is that oral health is deeply connected to the rest of the body and mind. Studies have shown a strong link between periodontal disease and systemic conditions such as diabetes, cardiovascular disease, respiratory illnesses, and adverse pregnancy outcomes, as outlined in the WHO Global Oral Health Status Report 2022. The risk factors — poor diet, excessive sugar intake, tobacco use, alcohol consumption, and limited access to preventive care — are also the same drivers behind other major noncommunicable diseases (NCDs).
Equally critical, however, are the mental and emotional effects of poor oral health. When someone struggles to speak clearly, smile confidently, or eat without pain, it takes a toll on their mental state. Emerging research points to links between oral health and depression, anxiety, and even cognitive decline — reinforcing why oral care must be considered part of holistic healthcare.
Yet access to dental care remains far from equitable. Kenya currently has a dentist-to-population ratio of approximately 1:42,000, according to the Economic Survey 2015, compared to the World Health Organization’s recommended ratio of 1:7,000. This stark gap highlights the deep structural challenges within our health system.
For many families, particularly in rural and informal urban settlements, professional dental care remains out of reach. As a result, pain becomes normalized, and complications are only addressed when they become emergencies — often too late to prevent lasting damage to both physical and emotional health.
At AAR Healthcare, we’ve witnessed the transformation that preventive care and early intervention can make. We know that the solutions are within reach. Kenya has made important policy strides in recent years, supported by the World Health Organization and development partners. Training programs for primary care and community health workers, improved surveillance for diseases like noma, and a National Oral Health Strategic Plan (2019–2023) are commendable building blocks. However, strategies alone are not enough — we must accelerate implementation.
This means investing in the oral health workforce, ensuring trained professionals are accessible across the country — not just in urban centres. Furthermore, Kenya can explore innovative financing mechanisms, such as dedicating a portion of health taxes from sugar-sweetened beverages or tobacco products to fund oral health programs. The World Health Organization recommends such measures as effective pathways to both prevention and resource mobilization.
At AAR Healthcare, we remain committed to improving access to dental care and raising awareness about the importance of oral hygiene. Through our outpatient centres, we integrate dental screenings into routine care and offer professional services that empower individuals, not just with treatment, but with confidence, dignity, and peace of mind.
This World Oral Health Day let’s shift the narrative. Oral health is not a privilege, it’s a fundamental part of public health and mental well-being. When we invest in healthier mouths, we invest in stronger communities, better learning outcomes, and a more resilient future both emotionally and physically.