95% OF CHILDREN IN ARUMERU WEST AFFECTED BY FLUORIDE; DENTAL SPECIALIST WARNS OF GROWING ORAL HEALTH CRISIS
By Joseph Ngilisho | ARUMERU
A preliminary oral health assessment conducted among pupils at Ngaramtoni Primary School in Arumeru District has revealed that nearly 95 percent of children are affected by excessive fluoride exposure, resulting in a condition medically known as Dental Fluorosis. The findings have prompted oral health experts to call for urgent intervention to address what they describe as a growing public health concern.
Speaking during an ongoing oral health outreach programme at Nduruma Primary School in Arumeru West Constituency, organised in collaboration with dental specialists from Germany, Consultant Oral and Maxillofacial Specialist Dr. Ibrahim Kassambala said the scale of fluoride-related dental damage in the area is far greater than previously anticipated.
Dr. Kasambala is Dental specialist serving as a tutor at Mbeya College of Health And Allied Sciences, Adjunct lecturer at the University of Dar es Salaam Mbeya College of Health AndcAllied Sciences (MCHAS) and a clinician at Mbeya Zonal Referral Hospital (MZRH),said the outreach team—led by German dental specialist Dr. Ursula Suessbier—is in Arusha under the sponsorship of Arumeru West Member of Parliament Dr. Johannes Lukumay to conduct a seven-day Dental Outreach Programme.
The initiative includes oral health education, screening and treatment services in primary schools, orphanage centres, sober houses, and Seliani Hospital.
“We are in Arusha to provide community oral health outreach services in primary schools. We will also visit sober houses, orphanage centres and Seliani Hospital as part of our community service programme,” Dr. Kassambala said.
He explained that examinations conducted at Ngaramtoni Primary School revealed widespread oral health problems among pupils, including dental caries (tooth decay), gum disease, and malocclusion (misaligned teeth). However, the most alarming finding was the exceptionally high prevalence of dental fluorosis.
“Approximately 95 percent of the children examined showed signs of fluoride-related tooth damage. Some have mild fluorosis, others moderate, while a significant number are suffering from severe Dental Fluorosis,” he noted.
According to Dr. Kassambala, the findings demonstrate that fluoride contamination in Arumeru requires a comprehensive national response involving health professionals, the water sector and other relevant government authorities.
He urged parents to reduce children's consumption of sugary foods and beverages, encourage tooth brushing at least twice daily using professionally recommended fluoride toothpaste, and ensure children undergo routine dental examinations at least twice a year.
“Parents should cultivate the habit of taking their children for regular dental check-ups twice annually so that oral diseases can be detected and treated at an early stage before complications develop,” he advised.
Addressing the issue of excessive fluoride levels in drinking water, Dr. Kassambala said the medical team will submit its findings to the relevant authorities to facilitate long-term interventions, including the adoption of modern water treatment technologies capable of reducing fluoride concentrations to safe levels.
“There are advanced community-based water treatment technologies that can effectively lower fluoride levels and make drinking water safe for human consumption,” he said.
Meanwhile, Nduruma Ward Councillor Samweli Menavi acknowledged that oral health challenges in the ward are widespread and are largely believed to be associated with the quality of water consumed by residents.
Menavi described the arrival of German dental specialists working alongside oral health professionals from the Arumeru District Council as a historic milestone for the people of Nduruma.
“For the first time in my lifetime, I have witnessed international dental specialists visiting Nduruma Ward to provide oral health education and treatment. This is a remarkable achievement for our community,” he said.
He noted that although many residents practice good oral hygiene, poor water quality continues to contribute significantly to dental diseases, emphasizing that public education and treatment initiatives must be complemented by sustainable improvements in water supply and quality.
“We strongly believe that the water we consume plays a major role in this problem. A lasting solution requires improving water quality to protect our communities from these harmful effects,” he said.
The councillor commended Arumeru West MP Dr. Johannes Lukumay for facilitating the partnership that brought the German specialists to the constituency, describing the initiative as a new chapter in strengthening oral healthcare services in the area.
He also expressed appreciation to President Samia Suluhu Hassan for her continued confidence in Dr. Lukumay as Chairperson of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Health, saying his leadership has translated into tangible health benefits for local communities.
Menavi added that the oral health education being delivered to pupils at Nduruma Primary School will empower them to become ambassadors of good oral hygiene within their families. He further called upon the Government and development partners to continue investing in research, public awareness, treatment services and safe water infrastructure to reduce the burden of fluoride-related dental diseases in Arumeru West.
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