About 3,500 people across three different counties benefited from free dental services during a four-day dental outreach organized by Mars Wrigley, the Kenya Dental Association (KDA), and respective county oral health divisions as the world marks Oral Health Day (WOHD).
World Oral Health Day is observed every year on March 20, when a year-long campaign is launched to raise global awareness of the issues around oral health and the importance of oral hygiene.
The Mars Wrigley-KDA outreach began on Monday in the Mara region, where dentists attended to over 700 residents around the Olmalaika Trust with more activities taking place in Mbooni Sub-county of Makueni County, where 1,000 people were attended to. It culminated in Nairobi’s Embakasi South Constituency, with nearly 1,500 residents of the Maringo Ward being supported.
The teams further collaborated with mental health professionals to raise awareness about the connection between oral health and mental well-being, under the theme ‘A Happy Mouth is a Happy Mind’. This activity focused on the psychological impact of poor oral health and the mental clarity benefits of maintaining good oral hygiene.
In the Mara and Makueni, dentists and mental health specialists conducted sensitization talks against risky cultural practices, like canine teeth bud removal (infant oral mutilation – IOM), a painful procedure carried out on children aged under 24months, and which predisposes them to infections and other health challenges, including death in some instances. During IOM, developing primary canines are gouged out in the belief that it can prevent or cure childhood illnesses. One study on oral health-related quality of life among adolescents in the Mara region found that 61%[i] had experienced IOM. Makueni County also has several other endemic challenges including including Fluorosis – discolouration and pitting of the teeth – with one study noting that at least 91% of the population knows someone with the condition, and 53% were unaware of the dangers of consuming water with high levels of fluoride[ii].
Across the three counties, where the outreach took place, residents received free oral reviews, and provided vital oral health tools, including toothbrushes, toothpaste, dental floss, sugar-free gum, and mouthwash. Additionally, educational posters were distributed to promote good oral health practices throughout the community.
Dr. Douglas Oramis, KDA’s Secretary General, said: “Such collaborations as the one between KDA and Mars Wrigley provide immediate care and educate the community on the importance of oral health in maintaining overall well-being. It is important that there is a proactive investment in infrastructure and staffing needs for oral health at both National and County level. Good oral health is of vital importance to the mental wellbeing of people.”
Embakasi South, like much of the country, faces significant oral health challenges, including a high prevalence of gum diseases, according to the latest National Oral Health survey. A large portion of the population suffers from gum bleeding and inflammation, underscoring the need for better oral hygiene practices and greater access to dental care. Additionally, for a long time, the region lacked a public health facility offering dental services, forcing residents to travel to neighbouring constituencies for treatment. However, this has been resolved following the establishment of two new dental care facilities at Bahati and Makadara Level 4 hospitals. These two facilities have helped decongest the Mama Lucy Kibaki Hospital’s Dental department, which was hitherto the only available institution providing oral healthcare in the country. Under this initiative, 24 Dentists, 18 Community oral health officers and 10 dental technologists were employed last year, the highest number of oral healthcare workers ever employed at once in the country. These progressive achievements were recognized during the World Oral Health Day (WOHD) celebrations.
Mars Wrigley’s sugar-free gum also featured as an important tool for enhancing oral health. Recent research shows that chewing sugar-free gum stimulates saliva flow, helping clear oral sugars and prevent plaque formation. Further studies suggest that chewing sugar-free gum for 20 minutes after meals has proven to help protect teeth
Mars Wrigley’s General Manager, Ismael Bello, emphasized the significance of the outreach, stating, “At Mars Wrigley, we understand the vital role oral health plays in overall well-being, and we are proud to support initiatives like this to provide access to care. We are committed to continuing to create positive impacts on communities ensuring healthier smiles and happier lives.”
The timing of the outreach was crucial as it brought much-needed dental services closer to the populations that would otherwise lack access. In Kenya, the current dentist-to-population ratio is 1:37,800, far below the World Health Organization’s recommended ratio of 1:7,000. Through initiatives like this, Mars Wrigley and the Kenya Dentists Association help bridge the gap and reduce the burden of dental diseases in the region.
