Gaza dentists provide care on streets amid Israeli siege

Gaza’s ongoing humanitarian crisis has left dental care largely inaccessible, with limited supplies and a shortage of functional clinics turning routine procedures into a luxury for most residents. The United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) reports that only a handful of dental units remain operational in the enclave, many of which lack essential equipment, sterilization materials, and basic consumables such as fillings and anesthetics.

The scarcity of office space for dental practices further compounds the problem, as many former clinics have been repurposed for emergency medical services or destroyed in recent conflicts. Consequently, patients with urgent dental needs often endure prolonged pain or resort to informal, unregulated treatment options, while routine check‑ups and preventive care are largely unavailable. Health officials warn that the continued lack of dental services could exacerbate broader public health concerns, prompting calls for increased humanitarian assistance to restore essential oral health infrastructure in Gaza.