Integrating preventive oral health into primary care to advance universal health coverage in Somalia

Introduction Somalia’s prolonged conflict has weakened health services, leaving oral health largely outside of functioning primary care and financed mainly through private clinics.Theory Oral diseases share risk factors with non-communicable diseases, particularly free sugar and tobacco use, which supports the integration of oral health into primary care.Method This rapid communication aims to synthesize evidence on Somalia’s oral health needs and to propose prevention-first reforms aligned with the World Health Organization ‘sagenda for universal health coverage.Results Most Somalia-specific disease statistics are World Health Organization-modeled estimates rather than nationally representative survey measurements. These findings indicate significant unmet needs, high rates of untreated caries, and substantial severe periodontal disease. A study suggests that people often seek care late, but population-level data are lacking. Evid​ence largely from outside Somalia suggests that miswak use can reduce plaque and gingival inflammation and that khat chewing is linked to poor periodontal outcomes. Noma risk factors, including poverty and malnutrition, are present among vulnerable children, although Somalia-specific noma surveillance data are sparse.Discussion We propose, as priorities for piloting and evaluation rather than proven interventions, a national roadmap that embeds oral health services in primary care, scales task-sharing, strengthens regulation, expands access to fluoride toothpaste, and builds surveillance.