Achieving Universal Health Coverage for Oral Health in Nigeria: Prospects, Barriers and Strategies

Abstract

The United Nations instituted the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to solve health problems by integrating the social determinants of health in the  management of diseases. However, oral health is not one of the issues addressed by the Sustainable Development Goals despite the facts that orodental  diseases are on the rise in Nigeria and the diseases are related to neglected lifestyles and socio-economic health determinant factors. The objective of  the paper is to provide evidence based facts for the expansion of the scope of dental services in the National Health Insurance Scheme. The barriers to  and the strategies to achieving Universal Oral Health Coverage in Nigeria are also discussed.