Overview
Beyond individual publications, OHI coordinates larger, multi-institution research clusters — particularly through Cohort 4’s cascading programmes — engaging researchers across Africa’s six major sub-regions.
Africa-Wide Early Childhood Caries Initiative
OHI-affiliated researchers are conducting systematic reviews and meta-analyses evaluating early childhood caries prevalence across all six sub-regions of Africa (North, West, East, Central, Southern, and beyond), including studies led by researchers based outside the sub-region they are studying — broadening perspective and collaboration across the continent.
These clusters investigate topics ranging from mitochondrial dysfunction’s role in periodontitis and its links to systemic disease, to digital health strategies for integrating oral health into primary care.
Policy & Implementation-Ready Outputs
- Integrated Oral and General Healthcare Screening Tool — developed and submitted for peer review; designed for use in general clinical settings to identify oral health needs alongside general care.
- EMR Integration Feasibility Study — ongoing research into capturing oral health data within existing electronic medical record systems, addressing a major health information systems gap.
- Scoping review of school-based oral health interventions for adolescents in Nigeria — published, action-oriented evidence for programme design.
- Qualitative study of healthcare workers’ perspectives on integrated oral health in antenatal care (Southwestern Nigeria) — published, informing service delivery models.