{"id":7419,"date":"2025-07-16T17:16:01","date_gmt":"2025-07-16T17:16:01","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/afiyafrica.com\/?p=7419"},"modified":"2025-07-16T17:16:01","modified_gmt":"2025-07-16T17:16:01","slug":"a-dream-realized-mercy-ships-supports-first-of-its-kind-african-dental-education-symposium","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/afiyafrica.com\/index.php\/en\/news\/a-dream-realized-mercy-ships-supports-first-of-its-kind-african-dental-education-symposium\/","title":{"rendered":"\u2018A Dream Realized\u2019: Mercy Ships Supports First-Of-Its-Kind African Dental Education Symposium"},"content":{"rendered":"
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\n \t<\/i> Read Time:<\/span>5 Minute, 24 Second <\/div>\n\n <\/div>

A landmark moment in dental education takes place in Morocco as African leaders unite to shape the future of dental healthcare across the continent<\/strong><\/p>\n

What began as a dream two years ago has now become a reality in Casablanca, Morocco. On July 11 and 12, 2025, representatives from 24 nations across the continent gathered at Universit\u00e9 Mohammed VI des Sciences de la Sant\u00e9 (UM6SS) for the inaugural African Dental Education Symposium, which culminated in the creation of the groundbreaking African Education Dental Association (AEDA).<\/p>\n

The need for an association of this kind is pressing, as African nations face a critical shortage of dental professionals. According to the World Health Organization, there are just 0.44 dentists per 10,000 people\u00a0(https:\/\/apo-opa.co\/46H8Yv2<\/a>) in Africa, compared to around 7 per 10,000\u00a0(https:\/\/apo-opa.co\/4f0Tgx6<\/a>) in many high-income countries. Only 84 dental schools operate\u00a0(https:\/\/apo-opa.co\/46H8Yv2<\/a>) across 26 African nations. This contributes to the fact that, as of 2021, around 42% of Africa\u2019s population have untreated oral diseases.<\/p>\n

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Dr. David Ugai, Mercy Ships Country Director, mounts the stage to speak at the African Dental Education Symposium in Casablanca, Morocco.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The symposium, initiated by Professor Ihsane Benyayha, Dean of the UM6SS Dental School, and supported by international surgical charity Mercy Ships, brought together deans and directors from dental schools across Africa. This gathering, and its successful signing of a new association, marks a new chapter in intentional collaboration and innovation in dental education.<\/p>\n

\u201cI think that we, as African leaders, African professors, African dentists, we can do a lot for our countries. We should help each other. I see that we have an American Dental Education Association, and a European one\u2026 Why not an African Education Dental Association?\u201d<\/strong> said Professor Benyayha.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019re at a time where it should no longer be acceptable for any country to have one dentist per 1 million people. Now is the time to solve this issue and overcome it. All the stakeholders and leaders we need are in this room. We need to ask ourselves; how can we take the next step?\u201d<\/strong> said Dr. David Ugai, Mercy Ships Country Director for Guinea.<\/p>\n

The African Dental Education Symposium centered around a clear purpose: to catalyze African nations collaborating in new and dynamic ways to train dental professionals, develop sustainable education programs, and strengthen access to dental health throughout the continent.<\/p>\n

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\u00a0\u00a0\u00bb Cooperation between African countries will allow the various dental schools in Africa to speak with one voice \u00ab\u00a0<\/strong><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<\/div>\n

Key to fulfilling this mission is the launch of the African Education Dental Association, modeled after similar associations in the United States and Europe. The association will provide African dental educators with a unified voice, a space for sharing best practices, and a clear structure for long-term collaboration.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis is the realization of a great dream\u2026 This symposium is a necessity because everyone was in their own countries, working in isolation. But thanks to the symposium, we will be able to join forces, combine efforts, and try to share our points of view. Cooperation between African countries will allow the various dental schools in Africa to speak with one voice,\u201d<\/strong> said Professor Mohamed Siddick Fadiga, Head of the Department of the Universit\u00e9 Gamal Abdel Nasser de Conakry Dental School in Guinea.<\/p>\n

The symposium also featured international leaders, including the FDI World Dental Federation, the American Dental Education Association, and Association for Dental Education in Europe, offering their support as African deans and program directors take the lead in transforming dental education for the next generation.<\/p>\n

As of 2025, Mercy Ships has partnered with UM6SS to support the training of more than 20 dental professionals from Guinea, Benin, and Madagascar in advanced specialization programs. After graduating, these students will return home equipped to teach, mentor, and expand access to dental care in their own communities.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis symposium is the first to my knowledge. It’s the first time I’ve seen so many schools come together in one country to discuss the problems of dental education in Africa. So, it’s quite clear that this symposium is part of the history of dental education in Africa, and I hope it\u2019s just the first of more,\u201d<\/strong> said Professor El Hadj Babacar Mbodj, Dean of UCAD Dental School in Senegal.<\/p>\n

Mercy Ships\u2019 partnerships extend far beyond Morocco. Across Africa, long-term collaboration with universities and ministries of health is helping expand infrastructure, enhance clinical training, and equip faculty to strengthen dental healthcare capacity. These efforts currently span the continent, including:<\/p>\n