08 Oct Dentistry: on the critical frontline of essential healthcare
A visit to an NHS dentist in the UK is becoming increasingly challenging as waiting lists grow. Recent government figures estimate there were 42.3 dentists per 100,000 people in 2023.
But compare this to the 3.3 dentists per 100,000 people in sub-Saharan Africa.
Dental care is not a luxury but a critical frontline in essential healthcare. In West African nations without sustainable access to dental care, the result is often inoperable tumours, dental abscesses and early deaths.
New training facility at Guinea’s only dental school
On Thursday 26th September 2024, Mercy Ships and the Université Gamal Abdel Nasser of Conakry celebrated the grand opening of the new state-of-the-art training facility at Guinea’s only public dental school.
The new facilities will revolutionise dental care across West Africa by more than doubling the capacity for dental students to learn, practice and treat patients while addressing the critical gap in accessing dental care.
Dr. David Ugai, Country Director for Guinea, Mercy Ships explains the fundamental role he has played in bringing the new facilities to fruition.
Like many other African nations, Guinea faces a significant shortage of dental professionals, resulting in a concerning public health issue. We are making progress, but many rural areas are severely underserved, with people forced to travel long distances for basic dental services. Access to proper training and education is limited, which in turn affects the quality of care available to the population.
Currently, one of the most pressing issues in dental healthcare in Guinea, and Africa at large, is the prevalence of dental cavities. The increasing consumption of sugar and carbohydrates, exacerbated by the rise of sugary beverages and processed foods, has led to a surge in dental decay. Left untreated, dental cavities can result in serious health complications, such as abscesses that may become life-threatening.
Unlike in more high-income countries, where healthcare systems are robust enough to prevent such outcomes, in Guinea, many people lack access to timely dental care, resulting in preventable fatalities.
To tackle these issues, we must go beyond individual treatment and focus on comprehensive solutions.
The importance of partnership
When I first visited Guinea as a Mercy Ships volunteer in 2012-2013, fresh out of dental school, the dental crisis here hit me hard. I was particularly struck by the lack of hands-on training for dental students. Unlike my education, their studies were almost entirely theoretical, with little practical experience until after graduation.
Many students had to rely on their initiative, seeking private dentists or online resources to fill the gaps in their education. This has resulted in a disparity where only the most motivated students were able to succeed, while others fell behind due to a lack of resources and support. This should not be the case.
This is where the importance of partnership becomes clear, and it is the foundation upon which Mercy Ships’ work in Guinea is built. When I returned in 2018, we launched a partnership with Guinea’s only public dental school at the Université Gamal Abdel Nasser of Conakry (UGANC), where all the dentists in the country are trained. This collaboration has evolved significantly, and in September 2024, we’re expanding the clinical training facility.
Our vision is to provide every student with access to high-quality training that aligns with global accreditation standards. This ensures that when they graduate, they are well-prepared to treat patients not only in Guinea but in any part of the world.
Future impact
Looking ahead, our goal is to ensure that every student, regardless of their background, receives the training required to excel and contribute to improving dental care throughout Africa.
The work we are doing at the dental school is not a quick fix, nor do we claim to solve all of Africa’s dental care challenges. However, by focusing on training and expanding the health workforce, and empowering local health professionals, we can begin to close the gap. As more dentists are trained and equipped to practice in rural and underserved regions, we will see a ripple effect. These dentists, trained to meet the needs of their local populations, will be the ones to shape the future of dental care in Guinea and beyond.
This incredible work is made possible by the support of people like you. Please give today and help train the next generation of dentists and medical professionals.