Gathered on Wednesday, 8 July 2026 in Yaoundé in the presence of the Order of Dental Surgeons, the officials of the Smile Africa Laboratory formalised their deployment in Cameroon, chosen as a strategic hub for Central Africa.
Leveraging 37 years of expertise in France, this 360° laboratory aims to modernise local oral health through the « Pascal » digital ecosystem and the donation of intraoral cameras. This inclusive project is based on a prosthetic model adapted to African aesthetic criteria, efficient logistics of 9 to 10 days, and prices 10 to 20% lower than the market. The offer also includes a component of fully free continuing education from 2027 onwards to propel young practitioners towards excellence.
The digitalisation of oral medicine is intensifying in Central Africa. On Wednesday, 8 July 2026, the Kolo Hotel in Yaoundé vibrated to the rhythm of technological innovations during the official presentation of the Smile Laboratory and its new baby, « Smile Africa. » Founded in France 37 years ago, this world-renowned institution is now spreading its wings in Cameroon. The event took place in the presence of a panel of experts and eminent figures of the profession, including Dr Chantal Tankoua Sunou, President of the National Order of Dental Surgeons of Cameroon. At the heart of the discussions: the integration of 360° digital technology to modernise the daily practices of practitioners and optimise patient care.
The Digital Impression and the « Pascal » Platform: The End of Approximations
The era of traditional impressions with alginate or silicone, often uncomfortable for the patient, seems to be over. The model proposed by Smile Africa is based on the provision of intraoral digital cameras within partner practices. Far from being a simple commercial approach, it is a genuine collaborative ecosystem materialised by the digital platform called « Pascal. »
Shaie Taieb, General Director of the Smile Laboratory, detailed the ergonomics of this tool during his presentation: « In the prescription form on our Pascal platform, you will have the possibility to precisely trace your own framework. Everything has been designed to optimise communication between the laboratory and the practice, on the exact shape of the clasps or the crucial choice of shade, an element that can no longer be omitted from the design of the full zirconia disc. »
For health professionals, this technological rigour is a blessing. Dr Annick Ngongang Ouandji, dental surgeon, expresses her enthusiasm for this transition: « Being able to carry out digital impressions in the practice today in Cameroon is an undeniable plus. It guarantees speed in obtaining prosthetic devices and makes it possible to offer a high-end service at a reduced cost. Digitalisation is a profoundly positive advance. »
An « African Aesthetic Model » and a Mastered Logistical Challenge
One of the great strengths of the Smile Africa project lies in its fine adaptation to local realities. Unlike European standards, the laboratory has developed specific algorithms respecting the morphological criteria of the continent. « The aesthetic model differs from one country to another. In France, technicians, for example, tend to systematically close diastemas. So we worked on a specifically African model, » specified Shaie Taieb.
To validate this workflow and test the logistical circuits, several prostheses have already been successfully tested by local practices. In terms of delivery, Smile Africa demonstrates surgical rigour. Relying on a 48-hour safety margin, the laboratory guarantees an average delivery time of between 9 and 10 days in Cameroon, contractually committing to a maximum of 12 days, an unprecedented performance for pieces of such high technicality.
Breaking with Dual-Speed Dentistry and Democratising Costs
Until now, access to cutting-edge technologies remained the prerogative of a tiny minority. A recent study conducted on the Cameroonian market revealed that only three or four practices had intraoral digital equipment. Dr Salomon Zing, prosthetic dental surgeon, highlights the social impact of this establishment: « This project allows young practitioners not to suffer from dual-speed dentistry. Previously, we saw these technologies in seminars in France without being able to apply them here. Thanks to Smile Africa, young colleagues gain access to the best technology, patient comfort is transfigured, gag reflexes are a thing of the past, and the final cost is reduced. » The laboratory has indeed made financial accessibility its battle horse. Although the final adjustment of the price grids was intense, the management confirms that its prices will be 10% to 20% cheaper than those of the largest laboratories on the market, guaranteeing an unbeatable value for money for medical structures and, by ricochet, for Cameroonian patients.
Looking Ahead to 2027: Continuing Education and Community Anchoring
The project is not limited to the supply of prosthetic devices. The support is structured around a solid continuing education programme. Dr Gael Franck Konmegne, project manager for Africa, announced strong commitments for the future: « The five major training sessions planned for 2027 will be fully covered by the Smile Laboratory. Our goal is to create a genuine network, an international community of practitioners. » This institutional support is particularly aimed at young graduates seeking to establish themselves, enabling them to equip themselves and train at extremely competitive costs.
Driven by a global vision initiated as early as 2022 by executives of Cameroonian origin trained in public health management in France, Smile Africa has chosen Cameroon as its entry point and strategic hub for Central Africa. Next major step in this ambitious roadmap: the physical opening of a showroom and a production laboratory on Cameroonian soil by 2027. In the meantime, the digital revolution of practices is already underway, sealing the advent of excellent and inclusive dentistry.
Reaction
« This project will allow a large number of practitioners to directly carry out digital impressions. »
The Smile Africa initiative is a great satisfaction. Because this project has a lot of ambition and will above all, in its entirety, allow a large number of dental surgeons in Cameroon to access innovative health techniques, to a very high quality of care for the good of our populations. Anything that contributes to raising the technical platform of our practices interests the National Order of Dental Surgeons of Cameroon. It always allows us to expand, to build a very wide pyramid in terms of quality of care, in terms of quality excellence. So the National Order is always pleased when it comes to these types of innovations, innovative techniques for the comfort and well-being of our populations. Because everything we learn, everything we learn, is always for the patient, the patient at the heart of health worldwide. This project will allow a large number of practitioners to carry out digital impressions directly in their practices. It is a qualitative leap, indescribable and extremely satisfying. For us, it will therefore allow everyone to practise. It is practically unimaginable. It is a project that responds to a need.
