A leading dental expert has revealed a staggering global health crisis, with nearly half of the world's population suffering from diseases affecting the mouth. Professor Adolphous Loto of the University of Medical Sciences (UNIMED) in Ondo State disclosed that oral health conditions impact approximately 3.7 billion people worldwide.
The Alarming Global Statistics of Oral Disease
During the university's 11th inaugural lecture delivered on Thursday, December 4, 2025, Professor Loto presented a sobering picture of the scale of the problem. He described the figure, which represents 45 per cent of the global population, as a major public health challenge. The most prevalent condition is dental caries, or tooth decay, which affects an estimated 2.5 billion people.
"Untreated dental caries stands as the single most common health condition globally," the professor stated. He further broke down the numbers, highlighting that severe gum disease, known as periodontal disease, impacts between 1 and 1.1 billion individuals. The crisis also touches the youngest members of society, with 514 million children suffering from caries in their primary teeth.
The Restorative Dentist: A Multifaceted Healer
The lecture, titled “Restoring Health to Dentally Afflicted Patients: The Role of a Restorative Dentist as a Jack of All Trades and Master of All,” positioned the restorative dentist as a pivotal figure in tackling this epidemic. Professor Loto defined this professional as a bioengineer operating at the convergence of several critical fields.
"A restorative dentist stands at the sacred intersection of biology, materials science, technology, and compassion, crafting health and hope out of afflictions," he explained. He listed the numerous roles these specialists embody:
- Diagnostician
- Periodontist and Endodontist
- Educator and Technologist
- Craftsman and Artist
- Scientist, Humanitarian, and Healer
In his conclusion, Professor Loto affirmed that the restorative dentist, truly a jack of all trades and master of all, represents a beacon of hope for those suffering from dental ailments.
Disproportionate Burden and Economic Cost
The professor underscored that the burden of oral diseases is not evenly distributed. He pointed out that low- and middle-income countries bear a large share of this health crisis. Within the African region specifically, the prevalence is acute, with roughly 40 to 45 per cent of the population suffering from oral diseases.
Beyond the human suffering, the economic impact is colossal. Professor Loto revealed that the global economic burden of major oral conditions is estimated at about $710 billion. This staggering sum combines both direct costs for healthcare and indirect losses from reduced productivity.
This data from UNIMED serves as a urgent call for increased attention, investment, and education in oral healthcare systems worldwide, particularly in vulnerable regions.
