“DRC has 1,072 dental surgeons for every 100 million inhabitants, which is a major challenge” (National Order of Dental Surgeons)

Kinshasa, August 30^th, 2026 (CPA).-The Democratic Republic of the Congo has only 1,072 dental surgeons for every 100 million inhabitants, which constitutes a major challenge, according to the president of the National Order of Dental Surgeons (Oncd). “It would be presumptuous to talk of new projects whilst we are still working towards achieving the objectives set for us for this first decade. But we must be clear-sighted enough to recognize the challenge that remains. For a population of over 100 million, our country has only 1,072 dental surgeons; the ratio set by the World Health Organization has not been met, and even more worryingly, nearly 9 dental surgeons are based in the capital,” has declared Dr Brigitte Banza, President of the ONCD, in her speech on Saturday during the celebration of the organization’s 10^th anniversary. This situation, she has said, is due to the virtual absence of dental practices in the hinterland and in certain healthcare institutions. “This observation must challenge us and the Ministry in charge of Public Health, Hygiene and Social Welfare. The association’s mission is not limited to organize a profession; it must also contribute, within the limits of its remit, to ensure that the population can benefit from high-quality dental care provided by qualified staff,” she has added. She has revealed that this evening’s event is to celebrate the ONCD’s 10^th anniversary, but also to pay tribute to all those who have contributed to its conception, its establishment and its development. These ten years are the culmination of several decades of commitment, perseverance and conviction. “In the past, dental surgeons in our country were members of a national association with no real power to act. It took many years of reflection, effort and advocacy to achieve institutional recognition of our profession. The enactment of Law No. 16/014 of July 15^th, 2016, published in the Official Gazette on August 4^th, 2016, concerning the creation, organization and operation of the Order of Dental Surgeons, marked a major turning point,” she has indicated, explaining that this law has enabled their profession to take its rightful place within the healthcare system. These ten years of development have required us to navigate an environment characterized by a lack of regulatory texts, to establish an understanding of the rules, to clarify responsibilities, and to ensure that it was understood that the dental surgery profession must henceforth be organized in accordance with legal and regulatory provisions. “These ten years have also required us to work from within the profession itself, to persuade, explain and build consensus, gradually bringing dental surgeons practicing in the private sector, as well as expatriate practitioners based in our country, into compliance with the law, professional standards and ethical rules,” she has concluded. Among the achievements of this decade, according to the president, are a presence in certain provinces of the country, greater awareness amongst dental surgeons of the humanitarian system, and advocacy work carried out with the government to ensure that oral healthcare is integrated into universal health cover, it is reminded.