Medic decries paucity of dentists

A medical practitioner, Dr Samuel Awosolu, has expressed concern over the inadequate number of dentists for the teeming population of Nigeria.

Awosolu expressed the feeling in Jos on Wednesday, said 4,000 dentists to more than 180 million Nigerians were grossly inadequate.

He also said the low man power in the number of dentists might have a negative effect on the diagnosis, prevention and treatment of diseases relating to the oral cavity.

The medic stressed the need for Guidance and Counselling Department of schools to encourage children to study medicine, to become dentists.

“Children should be encouraged to make dentistry their preferred profession from early stages.

“It will make them employable instead of going into a sector that is over flogged with many professionals when there is a paucity of dentists,” he said.

The dentist said that changing diet and lifestyle in the society had shored up the number of oral health challenges, especially in children.

“The rat-race has led parents to look for fast diet for their children which may lead to chronic diseases.

“Children, because of the changing diets suffer oral health challenges, mothers rush to prepare noodles, give them sweets, chocolate and ice cream, facilitated easy by supermarkets.

“The children love it and a society of oral health deficiency is built.

“Ailments of oral health prevalent in children include tooth loss, mouth ulcer, tooth sensitivity and bleeding gum among others, the value of health is immeasurable and should be taken seriously,“ he said.

“Changing of diets has led to different kinds of chronic diseases like diabetes, heart problem, obesity and kidney amongst others common to oral health problems.

“Sugar, salt and poor oral health hygiene are part of the problem generally ascribed to these diseases.’’