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Cited by 38Dental Health and Care UtilizationOral microbiology and periodontitis researchPublic Health and Social Inequalities

Oral health of adolescents in West Africa: prioritizing its social determinants

Open access
Shomuyiwa, Deborah Oluwaseun, Bridge, Gemma·2023·Global Health Research and Policy
DOI 10.1186/s41256-023-00313-2PMC PMC10355062
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Abstract

Oral health is a major public health issue in West Africa, yet it has gotten little attention. Individual and group disparities in health status are influenced by social determinants of health (SDH), which also affect oral health. Adolescence is a significant transition into adulthood, a time when the SDH can contribute to lifelong health status. This article explored the SDH associated with oral health behaviour, perception, and oral health development amongst adolescents in West Africa. This article engaged articles published in peer-reviewed journals relating to adolescents' oral health and West Africa. The authors undertook this desk review to determine the social determinants of adolescents' oral health in West Africa. The literacy levels and oral health awareness of adolescents, family and social circle influences, socioeconomic status, nutritional levels, and cultural and environmental factors have been identified as important social determinants. Adequate policy implementation with the integration of oral health in schools' curriculum, health systems reorientation with the adoption of oral health delivery in primary health care and expansion in oral health research with the assessment of cultural influences on oral health development have been recommended as interventions to reduce oral health inequalities in West Africa.

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Crossref · 10.1186/s41256-023-00313-2

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45 of 45 references verified0 citation errors · 0 not checkable

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  • Only a few Africans receive treatment for oral health problems.

    “Consequently, only a few Africans receive treatment for oral health problems, and with reduced annual visits by adults (20%–30%), oral health clinics are affected.”

    From Oral health in Africa: a neglected public health priority (2026) · cites this paper as [23]

    The Healthcare systems section (page unavailable) describes poor use of oral care services, limited dental provision, and underserved communities deprived of essential care. This supports limited access in West Africa, but it does not establish that only a few people across Africa receive treatment. (LLM, conf=0.84)

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  • Annual visits by adults to oral health clinics are reduced (20%-30%).

    “Consequently, only a few Africans receive treatment for oral health problems, and with reduced annual visits by adults (20%–30%), oral health clinics are affected.”

    From Oral health in Africa: a neglected public health priority (2026) · cites this paper as [23]

    The Healthcare systems section says dental visits are less common among rural adolescents and describes oral-health care-seeking as unplanned and ad hoc. It does not report annual clinic visits by adults or a 20%–30% reduction; the cited paper supports only the broader point about limited dental-care use. (LLM, conf=0.85)

    Experimental — accuracy not yet measured

  • In West Africa, the prevalence of oral disorders among adolescents aged 15-19 was over 2.7 million cases in 2019, with Nigeria accounting for the majority.

    “In West Africa, the prevalence of oral disorders among adolescents aged 15–19 was over 2.7 million cases in 2019, with Nigeria accounting for the majority (22, 23).”

    From Oral health in Africa: a neglected public health priority (2026) · cites this paper as [23]

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Research works printed but not linked: 4

  1. [2]World Health Organization. World conference on social determinants of health: meeting report. World Heal Organ. 2011. Available from https://www.who.int/publications/i/item/9789241503617. Accessed 12 June 2022.
  2. [7]Allukian M Horowitz AM Levy BS Sidel VW Oral health Social injustice and public health 2009 Oxford Oxford University Press 357 377
  3. [23]FDI World Dental Federation. Oral Health Atlas 2nd Edition. 2015. Available from: https://www.fdiworlddental.org/oral-health-atlas. Accessed 13 Sept 2022.
  4. [26]Inegbenosun H Azodo CC Association of oral health literacy with dental and periodontal status Indian J Multidiscip Dent. 2021 10.4103/ijmd.ijmd_2_20 · DOI

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Authors
Shomuyiwa, D. O., & Bridge, G.
Affiliations
  • University of Lagos (NG)
  • University of Leeds (GB)
Corresponding author
Shomuyiwa, Deborah Oluwaseun
ORCID
Venue
Global Health Research and Policy
Publisher
Elsevier BV
Published
2023-07-19
Volume
8
Issue
1
Pages
28-28
ISSN
2397-0642 (ISSN-L)
DOI
10.1186/s41256-023-00313-2
PMC
PMC10355062
OpenAlex
W4384819345
Cited by
38
References
45
Citations by year
2026: 13 · 2025: 17 · 2024: 8
FWCI
10.69
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Licence
Locations
  • Global Health Research and Policy (publishedVersion, cc-by)
  • PubMed Central (publishedVersion, cc-by)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • White Rose Research Online (University of Leeds, The University of Sheffield, University of York) (acceptedVersion, other-oa)
  • DOAJ (DOAJ: Directory of Open Access Journals) (submittedVersion, cc-by-sa)
Topics
  • Health Sciences › Dentistry › Periodontics › Dental Health and Care Utilization
  • Health Sciences › Dentistry › Periodontics › Oral microbiology and periodontitis research
  • Social Sciences › Health › Public Health and Social Inequalities
Keywords
oral health, adolescents, social determinants of health, oral health disparities, oral health awareness, literacy, socioeconomic status, nutrition, family influence, cultural influence, oral health education, primary care, West Africa
MeSH terms
Social Factors, Adolescent, Africa, Western, Humans, Oral Health, Social Class, Social Determinants of Health

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