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. 2024 Sep 13;3(3):e70000.
doi: 10.1002/puh2.70000. eCollection 2024 Sep.

Oral Health in Tanzania: Unmasking Its Neglected Dimension

Majani Edward  1 , Daniel Agyapong  2 , Innocent Kitandu Paul  3 , Ibrahim Idris  4 , Gbassara Koulagna Boris  5 , Nathan Ezie Kengo  6   7 , Emelia Azeyele Kpiebaya  8 , Shuaibu Saidu Musa  9   10 , Don Eliseo Lucero-Prisno 3rd  11   12   13
Affiliations

Oral Health in Tanzania: Unmasking Its Neglected Dimension

Majani Edward et al. Public Health Chall. .

Abstract

The World Health Organization's definition of oral health underscores its holistic nature encompassing physiological, psychosocial, and functional dimensions. The current estimates of oral diseases in Tanzania and around the world underscore the urgency of intervention, particularly in light of rising sugar consumption trends. The unique challenges facing Tanzania, including inadequate knowledge, limited infrastructure, and disparities in oral healthcare access, are analyzed within the broader context of sub-Saharan Africa's health priorities. This article addresses the multifaceted challenges of oral health neglect in Tanzania, emphasizing the imperative need for a comprehensive and integrated approach. The discussion offers a detailed exploration of determinants contributing to oral health neglect, spanning socioeconomic, behavioral, and commercial factors, with a focus on their implications for Tanzanian communities. Recommendations are presented as a strategic roadmap, encompassing public health education, integrated healthcare services, government intervention, educational programs, community engagement, financial accessibility, and research initiatives. By synthesizing these recommendations into a cohesive framework, a proactive and collaborative approach to mitigate the consequences of oral health neglect in Tanzania, emphasizing the need for transformative policies and cultural sensitivity, is therefore envisioned.

Keywords: Tanzania; neglected dimension; oral health; unmask.

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Conflict of interest statement

Shuaibu Saidu Musa is a Youth Editorial Board member of Public Health Challenges and a coauthor of this article. Don Eliseo Lucero‐Prisno III is the Chief Editor of Public Health Challenges and a coauthor of this article. They are therefore excluded from all editorial decision‐making related to the acceptance of this article for publication.

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