Dr. Iziaq Adekunle Salako Honourable Minister of State for Health & Social Welfare (wearing suite); Next to his Left: Daju Kachollom mni, Permanent Secretary FMoHSW; To his Right: His Royal Highness Dr. Muhammad Hamin Nuhu Sunusi CFR, To his Right: Mallam Idris Ahmad Bappah CFR.
FG Pushes for Enhanced Healthcare Delivery, Launches Maiden Summit for Dental Technologists
Abuja (Core Reporters) The Federal Government has reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening the role of dental technologists in Nigeria’s healthcare system as part of broader efforts to improve health outcomes under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda. This was made known during the maiden Dental Technologists Summit held at the National Merit Award House in Abuja.
Speaking at the opening ceremony on Thursday in Abuja, Dr. Iziaq Adekunle Salako, Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, who supervises the regulatory body for dental technologists, described the profession as vital to Nigeria’s healthcare ecosystem. He applauded the contributions of dental technologists, stating that their technical expertise in fabricating dental appliances is indispensable to both restorative and rehabilitative care.
“Healthcare delivery is teamwork. Without your contribution, the core duty of the dental team to restore smiles, improve oral health and enhance the overall well-being of people cannot be optimally delivered,” Dr. Salako said.
He challenged the Dental Technologists Registration Board of Nigeria (DTRBN) to intensify regulatory efforts through upscaling deployment of digital technology to eliminate quackery and ensure proper indexing, registration, and annual renewal of practitioners through digital systems.
“Be forthcoming in your regulatory responsibilities. Quacks must not be given room to operate anywhere in Nigeria,” he emphasized.
Dr. Salako also encouraged dental technologists to embrace continuous learning, innovation, and digital technologies to remain globally relevant and deliver higher-quality, patient-centered care.
Dr. Salako officially declared the summit open, expressing optimism that the deliberations would yield lasting impact for the healthcare sector.
Speaking earlier, Kachollom S. Daju, Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, noted that the summit marked a significant milestone in the profession’s history.
She acknowledged the pivotal role of dental technologists in enhancing patients’ quality of life through precision-crafted appliances such as crowns, bridges, and dentures.
“Dental technologists, though often behind the scenes, form the backbone of modern dentistry,” Daju stated. “Their work is central to restoring confidence, functionality, and health in millions of Nigerians.”
She lauded the profession’s educational evolution,from the early City and Guild certifications to the establishment of degree-awarding institutions such as the Federal University of Allied Health Sciences in Enugu and the Federal University of Technology, Owerri, highlighting the government’s commitment to the profession’s advancement.
In his welcome address, the Registrar of Dental Technologists Registration Board of Nigeria, Mallam Idris Ahmad Bappah stated that the two-day summit provides a great opportunity to hear from renowned thought leaders, engage in vital dialogue, witness the unveiling of groundbreaking innovations and cultivate partnership that will drive systemic change.
Dental Technology is the aspect of Dental Health care delivery which deals with the art and science of designing, fabricating and servicing of Dental, Oral and Oro-facial Appliances (Prostheses) for the replacement of missing part of Dental and Oro- facial tissues, the Registrar pointed out.
The Federal Ministry of Health pledged continued support for the DTRBN to build a regulatory environment that fosters innovation, professionalism, and excellence in oral health services.
Themed “Dental Technologists, Past, Present and Future”, the maiden Summit brought together policymakers, researchers, students, and professionals in the field to examine the evolution of dental technology and map out a strategic future.
