Ghana’s Minister for Health, Kwabena Mintah Akandoh, has raised concerns about the country’s oral health situation, revealing that about 84.9 percent of adults in Ghana have never received dental care. According to the minister, the worrying statistic highlights a major gap in awareness and preventive health practices related to oral health across the country.
Speaking in Parliament, Akandoh attributed the situation largely to a lack of education and awareness about oral health and hygiene. He explained that many people prioritize routine medical checkups but often overlook the importance of maintaining proper oral hygiene.
Akandoh further revealed that poor oral health can have serious health consequences beyond the mouth. He noted that medical professionals have warned that certain germs in the mouth can travel through the body and potentially affect vital organs.
“I was amazed to hear from a professional, a medical doctor, that there is a particular germ that can attack your heart from your mouth if you don’t have very good oral hygiene,” he stated.
The minister stressed that ignorance about oral health risks remains a major factor contributing to the low number of people seeking dental care. To address the challenge, the Ministry of Health says it plans to intensify nationwide education on oral health, particularly targeting younger generations.
Akandoh said the education campaign will begin in schools to help children understand the importance of maintaining good oral hygiene from an early age.
In addition to education, the minister said the government is also considering measures to improve access to dental services by exploring ways to deploy more oral health professionals across the country to ensure that dental care becomes more accessible to the public.
Health experts say strengthening oral health education and expanding dental services could significantly reduce preventable oral diseases such as cavities, gum infections, and tooth loss.
