- Joint inspections found the University of Nairobi and Moi University largely comply with East African Community training standards.
- The Kenya Dental Association says the findings reflect the strength of Kenya’s public dental education system.
- Further investment in research, laboratories and clinical facilities is expected to enhance training.
Kenya’s two public dental schools have attained substantial compliance with regional training standards following a joint inspection conducted by the Kenya Medical Practitioners and Dentists Council (KMPDC) and the Commission for University Education (CUE), the Kenya Dental Association (KDA) has announced.
The inspections, carried out in April 2026 ahead of the forthcoming East African Community (EAC) regional assessment of medical and dental schools, evaluated governance, academic programmes, infrastructure, staffing, student welfare, research capacity and clinical training facilities at the University of Nairobi and Moi University.
According to KDA, the University of Nairobi School of Dentistry attained an overall compliance score of 75.75 per cent under the EAC inspection framework, while Moi University scored 71 per cent.
The association said the results demonstrate the resilience of Kenya’s public dental education system while highlighting areas requiring additional investment.
These include research funding, laboratory capacity, specialised learning resources and clinical infrastructure.
KDA noted that ongoing investments supported by the French Government through the French Development Agency are expected to strengthen teaching, research and clinical facilities at the University of Nairobi, Kenyatta National Hospital and Moi University.
The approximately KSh8 billion infrastructure programme is expected to modernise laboratories and upgrade clinical teaching facilities, further improving the quality of medical and dental education.
Strengthening quality assurance
The association also welcomed the joint inspection framework adopted by KMPDC and CUE, saying it strengthens quality assurance by combining professional regulatory standards with university oversight.
“The inspections send a reassuring message to students, parents, employers and the public that professional healthcare training in Kenya is subject to rigorous scrutiny and that patient safety begins long before a graduate enters clinical practice,” said KDA President Dr. Kahura Mundia.
Meanwhile, Kenya is set to host the World Dental Federation (FDI) Regional Congress and Scientific Exhibition in Africa for the first time from October 21 to 23, 2026, in Mombasa.
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The conference, themed Advancing Dentistry in Africa, is expected to attract more than 1,500 delegates, including dentists and other oral health professionals from Kenya and across the world.
By Frank Mugwe
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