A new article published in The Lancet Primary Care & Community Health brings attention to the need to better integrate oral health into primary health care systems in Kenya. The paper, titled “Integrating oral health into Kenya’s primary health care system: Opportunities and challenges” was co-authored by Dr. Arthur Kemoli, a colleague of the University of Washington Timothy A. DeRouen Center for Global Oral Health, whose longstanding work in pediatric dentistry and public health has focused on improving access to care for children and underserved populations. Drawing on local and global expertise, the article examines how oral diseases remain overlooked within primary care despite their high prevalence and close links to other non-communicable diseases, and it calls for stronger policy alignment, workforce training, and prevention-focused strategies.
The publication emphasizes that integrating oral health into primary care is essential for advancing universal health coverage and reducing health inequities, particularly in low- and middle-income countries. Dr. Kemoli’s contribution reflects his leadership in oral health education and research in East Africa. By highlighting practical pathways for integration, the article provides policymakers, health professionals, and global health advocates working to ensure oral health is recognized as a fundamental component of overall health.