Dentists raise alarm over rise in dental infection cases 

As dentists celebrate World’s Oral Health Day, they raise alarm over the spike in dental infection cases in the country.

The Kenya Dentist Association (KDA), through its president Dr Tim Theuri cautioned Kenyans over the increase of dental infections against a decline in the number of dentists in the country.

With the shortage of dentists in the country, the infections could go untreated, thus have a catastrophic effect if not addressed.

Theuri intimated that at least four of every ten Kenyans have dental decay, while 98 per cent of Kenyans have gum diseases.

The total headcount of dentists in Kenya is 1,400, an average of fewer than ten dentists in every county. The situation should be addressed urgently.

“It is rather sad that only two higher learning institutions – University of Nairobi and Moi University, respectively, train dentists.

This is a matter that the government should address besides enhancing the capacity of oral health units in every county by increasing their budgetary allocations,” he said.

Theuri spoke during celebrations to mark the World’s Oral Health Day at the newly-launched Uhuru Wing at Ruiru Level Four Hospital in Kiambu county.