Photo: Dr. Iziaq Adekunle Salako Honourable Minister of State for Health & Social Welfare delivering his keynote address at the Maiden Dental Technologists Summit 2025, held at the Nigeria National Merit House, Maitama Abuja
(SINL NIGERIA) The Federal Government has reiterated its dedication to enhancing the role of dental technologists in Nigeria’s healthcare system.
This commitment is part of a larger initiative to improve health outcomes, aligning with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
Dr. Iziaq Adekunle Salako, Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare made the disclosure during the maiden Dental Technologists Summit held on Thursday in Abuja.
Speaking at the opening ceremony, Dr. Salako 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.
He said “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.
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The Minister of state 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.
Also speaking, 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.
