FDI unveils 2025 World Dental Development Fund recipients advancing oral health equity
GENEVA: The FDI World Dental Federation (FDI) has announced the recipients of the 2025 World Dental Development Fund (WDDF), recognizing three groundbreaking projects in Nigeria, Kenya, and Tanzania that are driving impactful, community-led improvements in oral health.
Each year, the WDDF supports three to five initiatives that demonstrate measurable benefits in oral disease prevention, health promotion, and capacity building. In 2025, the selected projects exemplify innovation, sustainability, and a deep commitment to improving access to oral care among underserved communities.
NOMALnutrition: Integrating oral health into nutrition programmes in Oyo State, Nigeria
In Oyo State, Nigeria, the NOMALnutrition project is breaking new ground by merging oral health care with existing community nutrition programmes. Run in collaboration with six local organizations working to combat malnutrition among vulnerable groups—including children living on the streets, the elderly, and rural populations—the initiative serves nearly 500 beneficiaries each month.
The project focuses on Noma, a devastating oral disease linked to malnutrition and poverty. Through training nutrition officers to identify oral conditions, distributing oral hygiene kits alongside food supplements, and collecting field data using WHO assessment tools, the programme builds local capacity and awareness.
By embedding oral health into nutrition outreach, NOMALnutrition ensures that prevention and early intervention become a standard part of community nutrition efforts, creating a sustainable model for other regions in Nigeria and beyond.
Integrating preventive oral health into the Chamas for Change programme in Kenya
In Bungoma County, Kenya, the Chamas for Change oral health pilot aims to embed preventive dental education and care within an existing maternal and child health network. Working with 15 Chamas groups, the project will reach 300 pregnant women and 300 young children under age three, while training 30 Community Health Promoters (CHPs) to deliver oral health education and basic preventive services.
Built on the success of the Chamas for Change programme—a proven community-based model combining health education, peer support, and microfinance—the pilot emphasizes the first 1,000 days of life, when maternal oral health has the greatest influence on child health outcomes.
The study, guided by the WHO Basic Package of Oral Care and the RE-AIM implementation framework, will evaluate scalability and long-term impact. Its goal is to establish a replicable approach to integrating oral health into community health systems across Kenya and eventually other low-resource settings.
Engaging dental therapist students to improve oral health in Tanzania
In Tanzania, Miracle Corners Tanzania is leading a project that bridges education and community care by engaging 90 final-year dental therapist students to deliver school-based oral health programmes across Mbeya, Iringa, and Tanga regions.
The initiative will reach 3,000 school children aged 6–14 with oral health education, screening, and treatment—providing direct care to at least 600 students. By integrating outreach into dental training curricula and forming oral health clubs in schools, the project creates a sustainable cycle of prevention and awareness.
This approach not only addresses Tanzania’s shortage of dental professionals but also empowers the next generation of oral health leaders to serve their communities.
Building sustainable oral health systems through global collaboration
FDI commended the organizations for their vision and commitment to improving oral health equity. “Each of these projects demonstrates how local innovation, when supported by international collaboration, can create scalable and lasting change,” an FDI spokesperson said.
Supported by Shofu, the World Dental Development Fund continues to play a vital role in empowering grassroots initiatives that align with FDI’s Vision 2030: delivering optimal oral health for all through prevention, integration, and equitable care.
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