Oyo govt, stakeholders task Nigerians on better oral hygiene

.Nigeria has one dentist to 53,828 people, says Dental Association

Oyo State Government, in collaboration with some health stakeholders, which include oral hygiene, makers of oral hygiene, government dental centres and College of Health Science and Technology, has urged Nigerians to prioritise oral health.

They warned that those with poor oral hygiene risk conditions, such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes, respiratory infections, adverse pregnancy outcomes, preterm birth and low birth weight.

The state’s Commissioner for Health, Oluwaserimi Ajetunmobi, who spoke at an event to mark World Oral Day, with the theme, “A happy mouth is a happy body,” said both individuals and healthcare professionals must prioritise oral health promotion and disease prevention.

She said those who neglect their oral health risked not only tooth decay, gum disease, various types of oral infections but a myriad of systemic health issues.

Meanwhile, President of Nigerian Dental Association (NDA), Dr Tope Adeyemi, has said that Nigeria has one dentist for 53,828 people in the country.

Adeyemi disclosed this, yesterday, during the Pepsodent World Oral Health Day 2024 media briefing in Lagos where the toothpaste brand initiated a dental health campaign with the theme, “Talk to A Dentist,” in collaboration with the association.

The campaign aimed to reach 10 million children by 2025, with a launching in schools and communities in Lagos State.

In a statement made available to The Guardian, the NDA President, who lamented limited access to oral healthcare services in Nigeria, especially in the rural areas, said that dentists to population ratio currently stands at 1:53,828 as against the recommended ratio of 1: 5,000.

Adeyemi added that about 90 per cent of the world’s population might likely suffer from oral diseases in their lifetime.

Ajetunmobi said Nigerians must develop good oral hygiene habits, promote regular dental checkups, advocate fluoridation of water supplies and address social determinants that contribute to oral health inconsistencies.

She also said Nigerians must acknowledge the interconnectedness of oral health, nutrition, mental health, lifestyle choices as well as adopt a comprehensive approach to health promotion and healthy behaviours.

The South-West Regional Sales Manager of Aspira, Adeboyejo Joseph, said the collaboration was the company’s Corporate Social Responsibility aimed at ensuring Nigerians adhere to good oral hygiene.

He said the firm targeted assisting the state government through improvement of dental centres in the state.

In his lecture, Dr Olugbemide Sadia advocated ideal and professional oral health practices, noting that people are prone to oral health issues as a result of negligence, superstitious beliefs, and unhealthy practices.