Posted on: Mon 19-05-2025

In what could either mark the beginning of long-overdue reform—or simply another revolving-door appointment—the Federal Government has named Dr. Dele Anisere as the new Registrar of the Dental Therapists’ Registration Board of Nigeria (DThRBN).

Effective May 5, 2025, Dr. Anisere steps into a role many view as pivotal, not just for the regulation of a vital healthcare profession, but also for tackling an often overlooked crisis: the unchecked rise of quack practitioners and unregulated training programs.

According to a statement signed by Alaba Balogun, Deputy Director of Press and Public Relations at the Ministry of Health & Social Welfare, the appointment followed a “rigorous and due diligence process.” Commendable words. But let’s be honest—the real test begins now.

At the presentation of the appointment letter, Dr. Iziaq Salako, Minister of State for Health & Social Welfare, did not mince words. He called on the new Registrar to confront the two elephants in the room: quackery and unaccredited institutions.

And rightly so.

For far too long, the field of dental therapy in Nigeria has operated in a regulatory gray zone—one where properly trained therapists coexist with underqualified practitioners, to the detriment of public safety and professional integrity.

“As long as we have quacks, then your body is failing in its primary responsibility,” Salako warned. That is not just a mandate—it’s a line in the sand.

The question now is: Will Dr. Anisere rise to the challenge—or get swept up in the bureaucracy that has too often paralyzed reform efforts?

Yes, his credentials are impressive. Yes, the selection process was (allegedly) thorough. But Nigerians have heard that song before. The real issue is impact.

The reality is that dental therapists serve as critical frontliners in a country where oral health is often neglected until it becomes a crisis. Their work bridges the gap between dental surgeons and communities. But when their professional space is invaded by imposters—and when their training is compromised by shady “programs”—the entire healthcare system suffers.

Dr. Anisere now carries the burden of proof:

Will he champion transparency and enforcement, or shy away from the discomfort of confronting entrenched interests?

Will he clean up the profession’s image—or allow it to continue being undermined by regulatory inertia?

Will he inspire young dental therapists, or simply manage a file-laden office?

If he takes the charge seriously, this could be the turning point the profession has been waiting for. But if not, it may well be another wasted four years.

The ball is firmly in Dr. Anisere’s court. And the dental health of millions is waiting on his next move.

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