NDA laments dearth of dental clinics in villages

The Nigerian Dental Association has decried lack of dental facilities in communities across the country.

The National President of the Association, Dr. Rotimi Olojede, who stated this at a briefing in Lagos, also blamed Nigerians’ poor attitude to oral health for the shortage.

Olojede also noted that the dearth of workers and facilities in the sector could further worsen the country’s poor oral health statistics.

According to him, there are just 3,500 dentists to about 170 million Nigerians.

Even many of the dentists, he added, preferred to practise in urban areas and cities.

He noted, “Every local government should have a dentist or dental clinic, so that people do not have to travel to cities just to see qualified dentists. Though some states, such as Kano and Lagos, have adopted the National Oral Health Policy and tried to improve their facilities, more needs to be done at the grassroots.’

Olojede also identified poor legislation and absence of coordinated oral health data as factors impeding proper management of the dental needs of Nigerians.

He said, “Many Nigerians have low or no oral health awareness. Unfortunately, there is a huge need for oral health care among the populace. The situation is aggravated with the fact that there is acute shortage of workers to meet the oral health needs of the people as only 3,500 dentists are serving 170 million Nigerians.

“But we cannot afford to shun oral care if we want to reduce the burden of non-communicable diseases whose symptoms start from poor dental care.”

The Pepsodent Brand Manager, Mr. George Umoh, also urged Nigerians to adopt preventive oral health habits rather than the curative approach.

Umoh said, “We should avoid getting to the point where we will need dental treatment.