Rwanda reports sharp decline in dental disease cases following nationwide awareness

Kigali, Rwanda, March 28, 2026 - Health officials in Rwanda say cases of dental disease have significantly decreased following sustained public awareness campaigns, particularly in schools. According to the National Health Institute (RBC), reductions have been recorded in tooth decay and hygiene-related oral conditions, following intensified education programs on oral health. Bagahirwa Irène, a specialist in non-communicable diseases at RBC, said cases of tooth decay have dropped from 45% to 16%, while pain linked to poor oral hygiene has fallen from 44% to 7%. She attributed the progress to school-based awareness campaigns aimed at encouraging children to adopt regular dental hygiene practices. The head of the Association of Dentists and Oral Surgeons, Niyibizi Fabrice, said most patients treated are young children suffering from preventable dental conditions, but noted that awareness efforts are beginning to show results. The Secretary of State in the Ministry of Education, Irere Claudette, stressed the importance of combining school feeding programs with hygiene education, urging students to adopt consistent oral care habits. Despite the improvement, health data still indicates that dental care-seeking behavior remains largely reactive, with many patients only visiting clinics when pain becomes severe, highlighting ongoing gaps in preventive care awareness.