In Morocco, for every 7,000 citizens, there is 1 dentist. When Andrew Hutchinson, a dentist from Murray, Utah learned these facts, he felt compelled to join the Africa Lion 2019 mission. The expedition was a Morocco-US sponsored counter-terrorism training event and took place throughout Agadir, Tifnit, Tan-Tan, and the Ben Guerir region of Morocco. Additionally, medical services were set up in the Tata region and this is where Hutchinson led his medical tent.
The dentist saw up to 800 people for 2 weeks in March. Hutchinson prepared for his visit to Tata, situated on a plain of the Sahara Desert, by learning about oral conditions specific to Morocco. Morocco’s dental cases are more severe than those affecting Americans. According to the National Commission of Dentists, gum disease in Morocco can affect 42.2 percent of the population at age 12, 59.8 percent at age 15, and 79.2 percent between 35 and 44.
Morocco Focuses on Oral Health Care, Aim For 1 Dentist Per 5,000 People
The Moroccan Kingdom is growing more aware of how important oral health is to have a healthy body. Moroccan organizations like Althea Foundation have been tackling this issue. On March 20th, 2016, the Moroccan National Commission of Dentists launched “Healthy Teeth in Order to Enjoy Healthy Lives.” The aim was to encourage the public and health professionals to focus on preventative oral care. Currently, the Dental Commission and northern kingdom continue to work towards achieving the 2025 goal of 1 dentist for every 5,000 people.