Abuja, Nigeria – The Nigerian Dental Association (NDA) has warned the public against dangerous oral practices, stressing that the mouth is highly sensitive and requires proper care.
Speaking at the 58th Annual General Meeting and Scientific Conference in Abuja, NDA President Dr. Emedom Elias expressed concern over common habits, such as using teeth to open bottles, which he identified as major causes of tooth fractures and gum injuries. He warned that such injuries can worsen over time, leading to severe oral health complications.
Dr. Elias emphasized that access to functional dental equipment is essential for practitioners to deliver quality care. “Having a clinic is not enough; dental personnel need the right tools and continuous training,” he said, noting that poor funding remains a major obstacle to the development of dentistry in Nigeria.
He highlighted the uneven distribution of dental facilities, with most concentrated in urban areas, leaving rural communities underserved. To address this, Dr. Elias recommended integrating dental units into primary healthcare centres to improve nationwide coverage.
In a keynote address, Dr. Olaniyi Taiwo, Director and CEO of the Intercountry Centre for Oral Health for Africa, called for greater prioritization of oral health in Nigeria’s national health agenda. Speaking on the theme Healthy Smiles, Sustainable Futures, he stressed the strong link between oral health, overall well-being, and sustainable development.
Dr. Taiwo noted that Nigeria’s oral health policy is poorly implemented, services are not fully integrated into the country’s Universal Health Coverage program, and surveillance data is outdated due to underfunded systems. He cited global statistics showing over three billion people suffer from oral diseases, yet oral health remains underfunded and overlooked.
He added that preventable conditions such as dental caries, periodontal disease, and oral cancers continue to affect millions of Nigerians, causing pain, disfigurement, lost productivity, and financial strain.
Oral health receives less than one percent of Nigeria’s national health budget and minimal international support, despite its crucial role in economic growth, social inclusion, and environmental sustainability.
Dr. Taiwo concluded that dentistry is integral to human development and must be treated as a priority in both health and sustainable development planning.
