Oral health and dementia in Africa: Current evidence, contemporary gaps and future perspectives

As Africa transitions to an aging population, she is faced with an increasing burden of dementia on one hand, and the complex oral health care needs of individuals with dementia. Deterioration of oral health in older adults is a global health issue, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa because of many years of low priority, lack of clear policy, underfunding, and shortage of manpower. There is paucity of published reports on oral health care of individuals with dementia in Africa. This review highlights the gaps in knowledge and practice regarding oral health care of dementia patients in Africa. Additionally, strategies aimed at bridging the gaps include policy formulation and implementation at national and continental levels to drive future practice; seamless integration of older adults dental care within neurology/memory clinic; capacity building for oral health personnel in dental gerontology; oral health promotion for people living with dementia and their caregivers, and geriatric focused oral health research. Lastly, leveraging on the Africa-wide collaborative partnership of the African Dementia Consortium, these strategies will be promoted through awareness creation, policymaker and stakeholder engagements, and research collaboration to improve oral health of people with dementia.