Kigali, March 27, 2026------ Rwanda Biomedical Centre, in collaboration with government institutions and stakeholders, commemorated the World Oral Health Day 2026 at GS Bumbogo in Gasabo District under the theme: “A Happy Mouth is… A Happy Life.”
World Oral Health Day initiatives complement the national school feeding programme by integrating post-meal oral hygiene practices into daily school routines. This approach encourages learners to clean their teeth after eating, strengthening the link between nutrition, oral health, and overall well-being, while promoting preventive behaviors within schools.
In addition to delivering preventive oral health education to students and community members, the event established a model for school-based oral health promotion. Participants also received essential services, including free oral health screenings, basic dental care—such as Atraumatic Restorative Treatment—and oral hygiene kits, including toothbrushes, toothpaste, and water containers.
Aligned with the Health Sector Strategic Plan (HSSP V) and national campaigns such as Isuku Hose and Fresheri Ku Ishuli, the event underscores oral health as an integral component of Rwanda’s broader commitment to clean schools, healthy communities, and a resilient, health-literate population.
Oral diseases remain the most prevalent non-communicable diseases (NCDs) globally and share common risk factors—such as tobacco use, harmful alcohol consumption, and unhealthy diets—with other major conditions, including diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, and certain cancers.
In Rwanda, findings from the NCDs STEP Survey (2021) highlight key challenges in oral health:
- 57% of the population have never visited a dentist, while only 11.5% did so within the previous 12 months;
- 92.8% sought dental care due to pain or oral problems, with fewer than 1% attending routine check-ups;
- While 67% of Rwandans clean their teeth at least once daily, only 19.3% practice the recommended twice-daily brushing.
To strengthen prevention efforts, the public is encouraged to adopt key oral hygiene practices, including limiting sugar intake, brushing teeth at least twice daily, and visiting a dentist for routine check-ups at least once a year. Students are specifically encouraged to brush their teeth at least three times a day: after breakfast, after meals at school, and before bedtime.