Embracing Innovation and Regulation in Nigeria’s Dental Technologists Profession
The federal government has urged dental technologists across Nigeria to embrace innovation, digitalisation, and stricter regulation to enhance their role in the country's evolving healthcare system. This call for modernisation comes as part of a broader effort to ensure that the profession remains relevant and effective in meeting the growing demands of public health.
Dr. Iziaq Adekunle Salako, the Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, delivered a keynote address at the maiden Dental Technologists National Summit in Abuja. The event, themed “Dental Technologists: Past, Present and Future,” brought together health professionals, policymakers, and students to reflect on the profession’s evolution and its role in national health reform.
Salako highlighted the importance of modernising standards within the profession, curbing quackery, and fostering multi-disciplinary collaboration. He stressed that practitioners must not allow unqualified individuals to thrive in any part of Nigeria. “I challenge the Board to strengthen its monitoring systems through technology, ensure that only qualified personnel are allowed to practise, and make the public aware of who and where registered technologists are,” he said.
He also emphasized the need for full digitisation of operations, including student indexing, practitioner registration, and location tracking. Salako described dental technologists as essential to health outcomes, noting their behind-the-scenes work in fabricating crucial dental and maxillofacial appliances. “Without your input, the dental team cannot function optimally. You are essential in restoring smiles, speech, nutrition, and patient dignity,” he added.
Salako called for the adoption of modern methods such as digital scanning, 3D printing, and advanced dental materials. “Don’t be stagnant. Keep pace with technological advancements and ensure better, more comfortable, and accurate care through innovation,” he urged.
Reaffirming government backing, Salako stated that dental technologists are important partners in the transformation of the healthcare sector. He encouraged participants to use the two-day event as a space for collaboration and strategic dialogue.
Government and Legislative Support for the Profession
The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Tajudeen Abbas, represented by the Deputy Chairman of the House Committee on Healthcare Services, praised the vital but often overlooked contributions of dental technologists. “This summit is a platform to reawaken our collective commitment to ethical practice, research, and collaboration. The Legislature stands ready to partner with stakeholders for reforms that benefit all Nigerians,” he said.
In her opening remarks, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Health, Kachollom Daju, reiterated the government’s commitment to strengthening dental practice and called for professional unity. “We do not see the Ministry of Health as belonging to any single profession; we are one family, united for a cause,” she said, decrying divisions between doctors and dental surgeons.
Daju stressed that all health professionals, from technologists to therapists and surgeons, must recognise their shared purpose: patient care. She described the summit as a milestone for dental technology capable of producing strategies that enhance oral health outcomes.
A Historic Milestone for the Profession
DTRBN Registrar, Idris Bappah, in his welcome address, described the summit as a historic milestone and a platform for bold conversations around the challenges facing the profession and the innovative responses required. “This summit opens a new chapter to reflect on the past, engage the present, and shape a resilient future,” he said.
Bappah explained that the Board, established in 1987 and governed by Act Cap D6 of 2004, is the profession’s sole regulator and has consistently promoted discipline, professionalism, and ethics while overseeing a growing workforce of licensed technologists. He detailed the wide scope of the profession: “Our practice includes oral and facial prostheses, but we also fabricate ocular prostheses, artificial ears, feeding plates for cleft babies, and even breast prostheses for cancer patients.”
The Registrar called for continuous learning and ethical conduct, saying, “This summit is not just a gathering; it’s a call to action. Let us challenge the status quo, collaborate meaningfully, and co-create a profession defined by excellence and integrity.”
Key Discussions and Challenges
The panel discussions centred on unity, curriculum reform, and integrated training. Speakers stressed the need for a unified regulatory framework and stronger interprofessional collaboration. Another recurring point was the need to review outdated legislation, with panellists calling on stakeholders to draft proposals for the National Assembly, advocating for a General Dental Council inclusive of all cadres.
Concerns were raised over leadership tussles and professional hierarchy that could obstruct unity. They also criticised limited interprofessional representation at such summits, urging broader inclusion to foster mutual respect. However, the panellists agreed that addressing the challenges requires more than dialogue; it demands intentional structural reform, values-based education, and a shared commitment to patient-centred care.
Recognition of Excellence
The Minister, the Permanent Secretary, and other dignitaries received awards of excellence in recognition of their contributions to advancing healthcare delivery in Nigeria.