The Nigerian Dental Association has cautioned the public against engaging in harmful oral habits, emphasising that the mouth is highly sensitive and requires careful attention.
Dr Emedom Elias, the association’s president, issued the warning at the 58th Annual General Meeting and Scientific Conference in Abuja, highlighting the dangers of using teeth to open bottled drinks. He described the practice as a major cause of tooth fractures and gum injuries.
“If we carry on like that, it could lead to more serious oral health complications. Such habits must be discontinued,” Elias said, stressing that the mouth is too delicate to be subjected to careless use.
On strengthening dental practice nationwide, Elias noted the importance of functional equipment for practitioners to deliver quality care. He also highlighted the need for public awareness and regular dental visits to ensure a strong dental care system.
“Having a clinic alone is not enough. Practitioners need the right tools, and dental personnel require continuous training,” he added, citing poor funding as a key factor hindering the growth of dentistry in Nigeria.
Elias also pointed out the uneven distribution of dental facilities, with most located in urban areas, leaving rural communities with limited access. He recommended integrating dental units into primary healthcare centres to enhance nationwide coverage.
In a keynote address, Dr Olaniyi Taiwo, Director and Chief Executive of the Intercountry Centre for Oral Health for Africa, called for oral health to be given greater priority in the national health agenda. Speaking on the conference theme, Healthy Smiles, Sustainable Futures, he argued that health and sustainable development are inseparable, and oral health must be recognised as a critical part of both.
Taiwo observed that despite its link to overall well-being, oral health is often neglected in discussions on sustainable development. He added that Nigeria’s national oral health policy is poorly implemented, and oral health services have yet to be fully integrated into the country’s Universal Health Coverage programme.
He highlighted outdated oral health data and underfunded surveillance systems, which hinder effective planning. Global statistics indicate that more than three billion people suffer from oral diseases, yet oral health receives little attention and is rarely included in UHC or development funding priorities.
Dental caries, periodontal diseases, oral cancers, and other non-communicable disease-related oral conditions remain widespread in Nigeria, affecting millions, Taiwo noted. “Most of these conditions are preventable, yet they continue to cause pain, disfigurement, loss of productivity, and financial strain,” he said.
Taiwo further stated that oral health receives less than one percent of Nigeria’s national health budget and attracts minimal support from international donors. He emphasised that dentistry plays a vital role in economic growth, social inclusion, and environmental sustainability.
“Oral health contributes to productivity, supports social well-being, and, when managed responsibly, advances environmentally friendly health practices. Dentistry is an integral part of human development and must be treated as such,” he concluded.
