Dental technologists decry exclusion from health reform committee

The Association of Dental Technologists of Nigeria (ADTN) has decried its exclusion in the recently constituted Health Sector Reform Committee (HSRC).

The association, which lauded the Federal Government for setting up the committee, stated that the dental technologist’s contribution to the country’s health system has once again been ignored with the non-inclusion of its group in the HSRC.

It will be recalled that President Muhammadu Buhari had, on September 6, approved the establishment of a Health Sector Reform Committee to kick-start the development and implementation of a Health Sector Reform Programme for Nigeria.

The vice president, Professor Yemi Osinbajo was appointed as chairman of the committee which is made up of representatives from different professional groups in the health sector as well as the state governors.

ADTN’s president, Raji Aderemi, in an interview by Nigerian Tribune, said the association is not well represented in the committee, despite the unique and essential role of the profession in restoring smiles, confidence, beauty and function to patients.

According to him, “we play the unique role of replacing lost or missing teeth and associated supporting tissues caused by trauma (accident), diseases or congenital (natural) occurrences.  Many patients today wear dentures, dental crowns, bridges, inlays, and other corrective appliances in their mouth without seeing or knowing these dental professionals.

“Including dental officers in health policy will bring better reform to the health sector and make Nigeria a safe haven for medical tourism in Africa as it was in the 80s and 90s when Nigeria was the only country in West Africa that produced dental technologists.”

He added that each member is qualified to understand how the sector works and the inclusion of dental technologists would be highly important in the field of dental care.

He also called on the Standard Organization of Nigeria (SON) to include dental technologists in the regulation of the standard of dental materials being imported into the country as they are well-grounded in the researches and science of dental materials.

 

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