A dream come true: African Nations unite to strengthen access to dental care
A historic moment for dental education took place in Morocco, where African leaders came together to shape the future of dental care across the continent.
What was only a dream two years ago became reality in Casablanca, Morocco. On July 11-12, 2025, representatives from 24 African countries gathered at the Mohammed VI University of Health Sciences (UM6SS) for the first African Symposium on Dental Education.
The symposium had a clear objective: to foster a new and dynamic collaboration between African countries to train dental professionals, develop sustainable education programs, and strengthen access to dental care across the continent.
Initiated by Professor Ihsane Benyayha, Dean of the Dental Faculty at UM6SS, and supported by Mercy Ships, the symposium marks a new chapter in collaboration and innovation in dental education. “As African leaders, professors, and dentists, we can do a lot for our countries. We must support one another,” said Professor Benyayha.
“As African leaders, professors, and dentists, we can do a lot for our countries. We must support one another” - Professor Benyayha
“This is the realization of a great dream,” added Professor Mohamed Siddick Fadiga, Head of the Dental School at Gamal Abdel Nasser University in Conakry, Guinea. “This symposium is essential, because previously each of us worked in isolation in our own countries. But thanks to this gathering, we can now join forces, combine our efforts, and share our perspectives. Cooperation among African nations will allow dental schools across the continent to carry a unified message.”
This gathering led to the groundbreaking creation of the African Dental Education Association (ADEA). ADEA will give African dental educators a collective voice, enable the sharing of best practices, and provide a clear structure for long-term collaboration.
Tackling the dental workforce shortage
The need for such an association is urgent. African countries face a critical shortage of dental professionals. According to the World Health Organization, there is an average of only 0.44 dentists per 10,000 people in Africa, compared to approximately 7 per 10,000 in many high-income countries. Moreover, only 84 dental schools are currently operating across 26 African countries. This situation contributes to the fact that in 2021, about 42% of Africa’s population suffered from untreated oral diseases.
“We live in a time where it’s no longer acceptable for a country to have just one dentist per million people,” emphasized Dr. David Ugai, Mercy Ships Country Director for Guinea. “It’s time to solve this problem and move beyond it. All the stakeholders and leaders we need are in this room. Let’s ask ourselves how we take the next steps”
A strong partnership with Mercy Ships
Starting in 2025, Mercy Ships has partnered with UM6SS to support the advanced training of more than 20 dental professionals from Guinea, Benin, and Madagascar through specialized programs. Upon graduation, these students will return to their home countries equipped with the skills to teach, mentor, and expand access to dental care within their communities.
“Since our school was founded, we had never thought about training the next generation of teachers,” explained Professor Jeannot Randrianarivony, Dean of the Dental Faculty at the University of Mahajanga in Madagascar. “But thanks to this partnership with Mercy Ships, we now have hope that the school will endure, thanks to the contribution of young dentists who will return home with their degrees. This partnership is extremely valuable to us.”
- 22 July 2025
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