Senegal Boosts Dental Care with New Clinic and Training Center
Senegal’s oral healthcare system has received a major boost following the inauguration of a state-of-the-art dental clinic and the groundbreaking of a new dental training center at Cheikh Anta Diop University (UCAD) in Dakar. The dual milestone was achieved through a partnership between Mercy Ships, the Institute of Odontology and Stomatology (IOS), and the Ministry of Health and Social Action.
The newly opened prosthodontics clinic is now fully operational, boasting 10 dental chairs and a dedicated radiology room. It is set to significantly enhance clinical practice and patient care in Senegal.
“These two infrastructures meet multiple objectives: strengthening national capacities, improving access to quality oral care, and integrating initial training with supervised clinical practice,” said Serigne Mbaye, Secretary General of the Ministry of Health and Social Action.
In addition, construction has begun on a new dental training center, set to be completed within two years. Once finished, it will house 30 dental chairs and expand specialist training for the entire West African sub-region.
Professor Bara Ndiaye, Dean of the Faculty of Medicine, Pharmacy, and Dentistry, emphasized the transformative nature of the project. “Today marks the tangible launch of an ambitious public health initiative, founded on dignity, solidarity, and equitable access to healthcare,” he said.
David Ugai, Country Director for Guinea at Mercy Ships, described the initiative as a symbol of the organization’s enduring commitment to building sustainable healthcare infrastructure across West Africa.
Mercy Ships, an international faith-based organization, operates the world’s largest civilian hospital ships and has served Africa for over 30 years. The new dental facilities at UCAD are expected to empower a new generation of dental professionals and expand access to quality oral healthcare across Senegal.
