The World Health Organization says over the past three decades, Africa has experienced the most substantial increase in major oral diseases among the organization’s six defined regions. Despite being largely preventable, oral diseases such as tooth cavities, gum disease, and tooth loss pose a significant public health challenge, impacting 44% of the region's inhabitants. Africa faces a chronic shortage of oral health professionals, with a ratio of only 0.33 dentists per 10,000 people. VOA’s Linord Moudou spoke to Dr. Yuka Makino, the Technical Officer for Oral Health with WHO’s Regional Office for Africa, for more on what the organization’s plans are to help promote good oral hygiene this year.