Kwabena Mintah Akandoh
About half of Ghana’s population is practising poor oral hygiene, raising concerns about the country’s oral health situation, the Minister for Health, Kwabena Mintah Akandoh, has disclosed in Parliament.
Responding to questions from Members of Parliament on the floor of the House yesterday, the Minister cited findings from the 2023 WHO STEPS Survey, which point to worrying oral health indicators across the country.
According to him, the survey revealed that more than 70 percent of the population suffers from various oral health conditions, while less than 10 percent of Ghanaians regularly utilise dental services.
Mr. Akandoh told Parliament that the situation reflects a broader challenge in preventive health practices, noting that poor oral hygiene remains widespread among the population.
He stressed that the findings had prompted the Ministry of Health to intensify efforts to expand access to oral healthcare services and strengthen preventive measures nationwide.
The Minister explained that the government is implementing several strategic interventions through the Ministry and its agencies to address the growing oral health burden.
These interventions focus on expanding access to dental services, strengthening public education on oral hygiene, and improving early detection and treatment of oral health conditions.
As part of these measures, he noted that some dental treatments are already covered under the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS), providing financial support to patients seeking oral healthcare.
In addition, the Minister said aspects of oral health promotion, prevention, and early detection have been integrated into the government’s Free Primary Healthcare Programme to improve community-level awareness and facilitate early referrals for treatment.
Mr. Akandoh further revealed that the Ministry is placing emphasis on public education campaigns to encourage healthier oral hygiene practices.
He said these campaigns would promote regular dental check-ups, the use of fluoride products, and healthier lifestyle choices such as reducing excessive sugar consumption, which is a major contributor to tooth decay and other dental conditions.
He added that the School Health Education Programme would also be strengthened to instil good oral hygiene habits in children at an early age.
According to him, early education remains a key strategy in preventing long-term dental problems and improving overall oral health outcomes in the country.
The Health Minister emphasised that improving oral health requires collective responsibility, calling on communities, educators, health professionals, and individuals to support national efforts to promote better hygiene practices.
He assured Parliament that the Ministry remains committed to ensuring that preventive oral healthcare services are expanded across the country as part of broader efforts to improve the overall health and wellbeing of Ghanaians.
By Ernest Kofi Adu, Parliament House