The Nigeria Dental Association (NDA) emphasizes the importance of enhancing the working conditions of dentists to curb their migration abroad for better opportunities. NDA President, Dr. Tope Adeyemi, highlights challenges such as the dental density ratio, low salaries, inadequate equipment, and other issues dentists face in Nigeria. With one dentist for every 53,828 people, far below the WHO recommended ratio of 1 to 5,000, Adeyemi warns against the prevalence of oral diseases in Nigeria. Poor oral hygiene can lead to dental cavities, gum disease, and has links to heart disease, cancer, and diabetes. Adeyemi, also an Assistant Professor at Bayero University, Kano, stresses the importance of improved salaries, better working conditions, and access to equipment and materials in hospitals to retain dentists in the country.
https://guardian.ng/features/health/nigerians-risk-oral-diseases-over-shortage-of-dentists