Ghana’s Ministry of Health Marks World Oral Health Day 2025 with Call for Action

Accra, March 19, 2025 – The Ministry of Health has joined the global community in commemorating World Oral Health Day 2025, emphasizing the importance of oral hygiene as a critical component of overall well-being. In a press release issued today, the Ministry highlighted the urgent need to tackle the increasing burden of oral diseases in Ghana.

Oral health issues such as dental caries, gum disease, periodontal disease, tooth loss, and oral cancer remain major public health concerns in the country. According to the Ministry, these conditions significantly contribute to the overall disease burden and share common risk factors with other major noncommunicable diseases (NCDs), including diabetes, cancer, and cardiovascular diseases.

To address these challenges, the Ministry reaffirmed its commitment to integrating oral healthcare into broader NCD prevention and control programs. This aligns with the World Health Organization’s Regional Oral Health Strategy (2016-2025) and Ghana’s NCD Policy, which identifies oral health as a priority area.

Efforts to improve oral healthcare include strengthening workforce capacity, enhancing service delivery, and reinforcing disease prevention measures. These steps follow the adoption of the Global Strategy on Oral Health and the Global Oral Health Action Plan (2023-2030) by the World Health Assembly in 2021. The Ministry also announced that it is developing a national oral health strategy to combat the rising prevalence of oral diseases in the country.

A key priority, according to the Ministry, is expanding oral health services, increasing public awareness, and fully integrating oral healthcare into primary healthcare systems. Officials are calling for collaboration with healthcare providers, educational institutions, civil society groups, traditional and religious leaders, and the private sector to boost oral health awareness and improve service delivery.

In its statement, the Ministry urged all Ghanaians to take personal responsibility for their oral health by:

• Brushing at least twice daily with fluoride toothpaste

• Reducing the intake of sugary and acidic foods

• Avoiding tobacco and alcohol use

• Visiting the dentist regularly for check-ups and cleanings

The Ministry emphasized that through advocacy, strategic investments, and multi-stakeholder partnerships, Ghana can achieve a future where quality oral healthcare is accessible to all.

As the nation marks World Oral Health Day 2025, officials reaffirm their commitment to prioritizing oral health as an essential part of overall health and well-being.