Tanzania sees the value of oral healthcare services heading to the Dental Expo 2026
DAR ES SALAAM: THE Tanzanian government of has reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening oral healthcare services as the country prepares to host the second edition of the Tanzania Dental Expo 2026 (TDE 2026), scheduled to take place from May 28 to 30 at the Mlimani City Conference Centre.
Speaking during the official launch of the expo, Ilala District Commissioner Edward Mpogolo, who represented the Regional Commissioner, said the exhibition supports ongoing government reforms aimed at transforming the oral healthcare system to meet international standards.
“Our collective goal is to improve oral healthcare services provided to citizens so they meet international standards through strategic interventions and evidence-based policy initiatives,” he said.
Mr Mpogolo also called on media outlets to promote awareness about the expo to encourage participation from stakeholders, including local government authorities responsible for procuring medical equipment.
Meanwhile, Assistant Director of Oral Health Services at the Ministry of Health, Dr Baraka Nzobo, said the international exhibition marks the second consecutive year the event is being organized.
“As the government, we are aligning with the campaign of the FDI World Dental Federation, ‘Bring Back the Mouth to the Body,’ which emphasizes the importance of oral health as part of overall health,” he said.
Dr Nzobo noted that the government has significantly invested in dental infrastructure over the past three years, including the procurement of more than 700 dental chairs and 450 dental X-ray machines, including advanced Cone Beam Computed Tomography (CBCT) systems.
He added that the expo is expected to reduce referrals of patients seeking specialized dental treatment abroad by improving the availability of modern equipment within the country.
According to him, recent data indicate that 76 percent of adults and 31 percent of children in Tanzania suffer from tooth decay.
“For adults, tooth decay is largely associated with the use of toothpaste that is not suitable for adult dental care,” he explained.
He further noted that toothpaste for children generally contains lower fluoride levels than toothpaste designed for adults, making it less effective in preventing tooth decay among adults.
For his part, Executive Director of the Tanzania Dental Expo, Frank Mwakatobe, said the exhibition aims to promote investment in the health sector, strengthen oral healthcare services, and provide training opportunities for healthcare professionals.
“The expo will serve as a platform to enhance service delivery, provide education to healthcare providers, and support the government’s agenda of ensuring health for all under Universal Health Coverage,” he said.
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Dr Mwakatobe added that the exhibition is expected to bring together more than 2,000 stakeholders from Tanzania and abroad, including manufacturers and suppliers of dental equipment, healthcare institutions, universities, research organizations, insurance companies, financial institutions, and members of the public.
He encouraged citizens to attend the exhibition, noting that participation will be free of charge and will provide an opportunity to access information, services, and innovations in oral healthcare.
