Windhoek: Zambezi Governor Dorothy Kabula-Simushi says poor oral health can lead to infections that contribute to more serious health conditions, such as heart disease, diabetes, and adverse pregnancy outcomes. In a speech delivered on her behalf on Friday at the observance of the National Oral Health Awareness Week, which runs from 14 to 18 September 2026, the governor cautioned that oral health should not be left solely to dental professionals, but must be everyone's responsibility.
According to Namibia Press Agency, the governor urged families to encourage their children to brush their teeth twice a day with fluoride toothpaste, limit sugary snacks, and visit the dentist regularly. She appealed to school principals and life skills teachers to integrate oral hygiene into their school programmes to help learners develop healthier habits and urged policymakers to ensure that oral health services are accessible, affordable, and integrated into primary healthcare.
She highlighted that costs, distance, and a lack of awareness are barriers preventing people from seeking care, calling on the Ministry of Health and Social Services to dismantle these barriers through the provision of mobile dental clinics and fostering community partnerships to bring services closer to those who need them most. Kabula-Simushi called on health professionals, educators, policymakers, and citizens to work together to ensure that oral health is recognised as a fundamental human right.
"To brush our teeth and floss daily sounds simple, but it saves lives. Be an advocate for oral health - speak up in your communities, workplaces, and schools," she stated. The governor further appealed to the management of the regional health directorate to ensure that the dental unit at Katima Mulilo District Hospital is completed so it can offer quality dental services to the region.
Senior Medical Officer Dr Helen Bainga noted that the Zambezi Region has the highest prevalence of dental caries (tooth decay) and periodontal disease in the country. She called for the decentralisation of dental services to health centres and clinics nationwide. Namibia observes National Oral Health Awareness Week annually in September to promote prevention, early detection, and good hygiene. This year's theme was "Healthy Mouth, Healthy Body: Promoting Oral Health for Overall Well-being."