El Tantawi, MahaFolayan, Morenike OluwatoyinBhayat, Ahmed2025-12-022025-12El Tantawi, M.M.A., M.O., Folayan, M.O. & Bhayat, A. 2025, 'Framework for equitable and effective oral health research in Africa', Community Dentistry and Oral Epidemiology, vol. 53, no. 6, pp. 609-616, doi : 10.1111/cdoe.70018.0301-5661 (print)1600-0528 (online)10.1111/cdoe.70018http://hdl.handle.net/2263/107044DATA AVAILABILITY STATEMENT : The data that supports the findings of this study are available in the Supporting Information of this article.BACKGROUND : The current heightened attention to oral health underscores the need to address populations who have been historically marginalised in mainstream policy and research endeavours. African countries lack sufficient data on oral health problems and potential solutions to inform decision-making. AIM : This commentary addresses the shortcomings of oral health research in Africa and proposes a framework to foster fair and efficient research in this area. MATERIALS AND METHODS : We present an assessment of the current state of oral health research in Africa and outline key components of the framework. RESULTS : The framework includes: enhancing the capacities of African researchers, cultivating leadership, prioritising locally pertinent research, establishing equitable partnerships with international researchers, and translating research findings into actionable policies and practices. CONCLUSION : These pillars offer a roadmap for steering oral health research in Africa toward impactful outcomes that improve the oral health of African populations.en© 2025 John Wiley & Sons A/S. Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.. This is the pre-peer reviewed version of the following article : (name article) Community Dentistry and Oral Epidemiology, vol. , no. , pp. , 2025. doi : . which has been published in final form at : https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/journal/16000528.AfricaResearchOral healthLeadershipColonialismCapacity buildingCommentaryPostprint Article