Challenges in Providing Removable Prosthodontic Care in Rural African Settings: A Retrospective Analysis

Abstract

Access to quality dental prosthodontic services remains a significant challenge in rural African communities, where populations face multiple barriers to oral healthcare delivery. This retrospective analysis examines the multifaceted obstacles encountered in providing removable prosthodontic care across rural African settings, drawing from clinical data, healthcare reports, and population-based studies conducted between 2015 and 2024. The study identifies critical challenges including inadequate infrastructure, shortage of trained prosthodontists, limited material supply chains, socioeconomic barriers, and cultural factors that collectively impede the delivery of prosthodontic services. Through systematic examination of case records and healthcare facility data from nine African countries, this analysis reveals that only 12-18% of rural populations requiring prosthodontic intervention receive adequate treatment. The findings underscore the urgent need for policy interventions, innovative service delivery models, and capacity-building initiatives to address the growing burden of edentulism in underserved African communities. This research contributes to the broader discourse on oral health equity and provides evidence-based recommendations for improving prosthodontic care accessibility in resource-limited settings.