ommunity Engagement and Collaboration for Optimal Oral Health in Nigeria

Abstract

Oral health is essential for daily living, is mutually linked with general health and contributes to wellbeing. Optimal health is a state of oral health inclusive of the absence of oral diseases with maximum utility obtained from orofacial tissues in function. Community engagement and collaboration entails working together of individuals, groups and communities with regards to mutually agreed action plans. In health, it usually has a strong preventive component which makes it suitable for resource-disadvantaged settings like Nigeria. Control of health determinants is key for achievement of optimal oral health and this is most effective when carried out in the oral health system. The Nigerian oral health system has certain challenges such as weak governance, inadequate manpower, financing and oral health awareness. Community engagement and collaborations can enhance the strengthening of oral health system. In Nigeria, prioritisation of efforts by community engagement and collaborations in strengthening the oral health system through enhancing leadership, governance, financing, manpower development and behavioural reorientation of the populace favourable to optimal oral health are recommended.

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