Association between oral health status and cardiovascular disease outcomes in Africa; A scoping review
1
Department of Epidemiology and Health Statistics,, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu Province, China
2
Lagos State Health Management Agency, Lagos State, Nigeria
3
Department of Pathology and Pathophysiology, Chongqing Medical University,, Chongqing, China
4
Department of Community Oral Health, University of Western Cape, Western Cape, South Africa
Popul. Med. 2026;8(Supplement Supplement 1):A3052
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND:
Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the leading cause of death in Africa, while oral diseases particularly periodontal disease and dental caries are highly prevalent. Although a well-established link between poor oral health and adverse CVD outcomes is recognized in high-income countries, evidence within African populations remains limited and poorly characterized. This scoping review aimed to synthesize the available evidence on the association between oral health status (specifically periodontal disease and dental caries) and CVD outcomes (such as myocardial infarction, stroke, and hypertension) among African adults.
METHODS:
Following the Arksey and O'Malley framework and PRISMA-ScR guidelines, we conducted a systematic search of PubMed, CINAHL, Google Scholar, and Web of Science for studies published between January 1, 2000, and June 30, 2025. Studies were included if they were peer-reviewed, involved African adult populations (≥18 years), and examined the association between oral health status and CVD outcomes using validated measures. Four cross-sectional studies met the inclusion criteria, all conducted in Cameroon, Mauritius, Mozambique, and Ghana.
RESULTS:
The review highlighted a high burden of both oral disease and CVD across the included African populations. Periodontal disease prevalence reached up to 77.2%, and dental caries affected a significant proportion of children in one study. CVD prevalence was reported up to 28.9% in one adult population. Stronger associations were noted among subgroups, particularly in adults with diabetes and children with rheumatic heart disease (RHD). Key biological mechanisms such as systemic inflammation and elevated oral pathogen levels were reported.
CONCLUSIONS:
This review confirms a significant association between poor oral health and CVD in African populations, particularly among adults with comorbidities and children with RHD. However, evidence is limited and geographically concentrated. Urgent efforts are needed to expand context-specific, longitudinal, and interventional research to guide integrated oral and cardiovascular health strategies in Africa.
Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the leading cause of death in Africa, while oral diseases particularly periodontal disease and dental caries are highly prevalent. Although a well-established link between poor oral health and adverse CVD outcomes is recognized in high-income countries, evidence within African populations remains limited and poorly characterized. This scoping review aimed to synthesize the available evidence on the association between oral health status (specifically periodontal disease and dental caries) and CVD outcomes (such as myocardial infarction, stroke, and hypertension) among African adults.
METHODS:
Following the Arksey and O'Malley framework and PRISMA-ScR guidelines, we conducted a systematic search of PubMed, CINAHL, Google Scholar, and Web of Science for studies published between January 1, 2000, and June 30, 2025. Studies were included if they were peer-reviewed, involved African adult populations (≥18 years), and examined the association between oral health status and CVD outcomes using validated measures. Four cross-sectional studies met the inclusion criteria, all conducted in Cameroon, Mauritius, Mozambique, and Ghana.
RESULTS:
The review highlighted a high burden of both oral disease and CVD across the included African populations. Periodontal disease prevalence reached up to 77.2%, and dental caries affected a significant proportion of children in one study. CVD prevalence was reported up to 28.9% in one adult population. Stronger associations were noted among subgroups, particularly in adults with diabetes and children with rheumatic heart disease (RHD). Key biological mechanisms such as systemic inflammation and elevated oral pathogen levels were reported.
CONCLUSIONS:
This review confirms a significant association between poor oral health and CVD in African populations, particularly among adults with comorbidities and children with RHD. However, evidence is limited and geographically concentrated. Urgent efforts are needed to expand context-specific, longitudinal, and interventional research to guide integrated oral and cardiovascular health strategies in Africa.
| eISSN: | 2654-1459 |
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