By Etienne Mainimo Mengnjo
The African Education Dental Association (AEDA) has been officially established, marking a significant step towards addressing the severe shortage of dental professionals across the continent. The association was founded during the inaugural African Dental Education Symposium that took place at the Université Mohammed VI des Sciences de la Santé (UM6SS) in Casablanca, Morocco, from July 11 to 12.
The symposium brought together 24 representatives from across Africa. Officials emphasized the pressing need for such an organization, given the critical deficit of dental professionals in many African nations.
Initiated by Professor Ihsane Benyayha, Dean of the UM6SS Dental School, and supported by international surgical charity Mercy Ships, the gathering convened deans and directors from dental schools across the continent. This successful collaboration and the formation of the AEDA signify a new era of intentional cooperation and innovation in dental education.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), Africa has a mere 0.44 dentists per 10,000 people, starkly contrasting with approximately 7 per 10,000 in many high-income countries. With only 84 dental schools operating across 26 African nations, it’s not surprising that as of 2021, an estimated 42% of Africa’s population suffers from untreated oral diseases.
“As African leaders, professors, and dentists, we can do a lot for our countries. We should help each other,” stated Professor Benyayha. “We have an American Dental Education Association and a European one… Why not an African Dental Education Association?”
Dr. David Ugai, Mercy Ships Country Director for Guinea, echoed this sentiment: “We’re 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?”
The African Dental Education Symposium’s core objective was to foster new and dynamic collaborations among African nations to train dental professionals, develop sustainable education programs, and enhance access to dental health across the continent.
The launch of the AEDA is central to this mission. Modeled after similar associations in the United States and Europe, the AEDA will provide African dental educators with a unified voice, a platform for sharing best practices, and a clear structure for long-term collaboration.
Professor Mohamed Siddick Fadiga, Head of the Department of the Université Gamal Abdel Nasser de Conakry Dental School in Guinea, expressed his enthusiasm: “This is the realization of a great dream… 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.”
The symposium also welcomed international leaders from organizations such as the FDI World Dental Federation, the American Dental Education Association, and the Association for Dental Education in Europe. Their presence underscored global support as African deans and program directors assume leadership in transforming dental education for future generations.
Mercy Ships has demonstrated its commitment to strengthening dental education. As of 2025, the organization has partnered with UM6SS to support the training of over 20 dental professionals from Guinea, Benin, and Madagascar in advanced specialization programs. Upon graduation, these students will return to their home countries, equipped to teach, mentor, and expand access to vital dental care in their communities.
“This 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,” remarked Professor El Hadj Babacar Mbodj, Dean of UCAD Dental School in Senegal. “So, it’s quite clear that this symposium is part of the history of dental education in Africa, and I hope it’s just the first of more.”
Mercy Ships’ partnerships extend beyond Morocco, encompassing long-term collaborations with universities and ministries of health across Africa. These initiatives aim to expand infrastructure, enhance clinical training, and equip faculty to bolster dental healthcare capacity.
Professor Jeannot Randrianarivony, Dean of the University of Mahajanga Dental School in Madagascar, highlighted the impact of these collaborations: “In the school’s years of existence, we have never thought about the next generation of teachers. But thanks to this partnership with Mercy Ships, we have hope for the survival of the school with the continuity of these young graduates who will return with their diplomas to our country. So, this partnership, for us, is very precious.”
The African Dental Education Symposium perfectly embodies the core of Mercy Ships’ mission: to bring hope and healing through surgical care, education, training, and advocacy. Events like this symposium offer a promising glimpse into a sustainable future where African nations are empowered, educators are skilled, and communities have access to the essential dental care they need.
