The Nigerian Dental Association in partnership witbUnilever and the NDA South East Zone comprising the State Chapters of Abia, Anambra, Ebonyi, Enugu and Imo States along with other stakeholderS in oral health in the South Eastern States of Nigeria. held an Oral Health Summit at the Owerri Plaza Hotel on April 1; 2014withthetheme-l7he Place of Dental Care in The South Eastem Nigeria". The Summit which was chaired by Prof. C. o. Onyea50rwasattended by the Commissioners of Health of the concerned States, the Honourable MinisterforHealth who was represented by the Head, Dentistry Division, Federal Mnistry of Health, Dr. Adebimpe Adebiyi, mni, Oral Health Ambassadors of the respective States and several reputable members of tile dental profession. Attheend of the Theme Lecture delivered by Dr. Felix Chukwuneke, it was identified that Oral Health Care at itspresentform in the South-East Nigeria is very rudimentary and compounded by the following: 

1. Lack of awareness by the respective State Governments on the enormity of the poor state of oral health in their localities. 

2. Lack of basic infrastructure for effective oral health care delivery attha grass root 

3. Lack of adequate oral health care workforce 

4. Inadequate dental clinics and training institutions 

5. Poverty, ignorance and superstitious beliefs - 

6. Improper health seeking behavior by the people 

7. Culture, habits and norms that influence current oral health practices 

 

Recommendations 

. 1.A Technical Working Group should be set up to recommend an action plan to domesticate the implementation of the National 

Oral Health Policy in the South Eastern States. 

2. State Govemments in the South Eastern Regkm shoyld as a matterofurgency build and~uip dental facilities in all LGAs. 

3.- State Govemments in the South Eastern Region should employ, train and deploy oral healthcare personnel for efficient oral health delivery in such facilities 

4. Establishment of training centers for dental education and improvement of the facilities in existing centers at allevels of gov-emment. 

5. Lay emphasis on oral health awareness and education campaigns across the region especially at the grass root level by al stake- holders. The Nigerian Dental Assodationand other oral health stakeholders acknowledge the role ofUnilever in the promotion of oral health awareness in Nigeria through its Closeup brand. 

6. Relevant authorities should appoi~dental professionals to federal & state government health boards as well as top management committees of health institutions and training facilities. 

7. Introduce Oral Hygiene Instruction in the curriculum of primary and secondary schools by the relevant agencies of Govemment. 

8. Training of dental and allied dental professionals should include clinical experience in rural areas. 

9. Adequate funding of intemshipand residency training for dental professionals by Government. 

10. Finally, the Summit recommends total commitment by all stakeholders to ensure the realization of the above goals. 

Signed

Dr. Clement Olurotimi OIojede 

President, NDA 

Dr. Ben Uwakwem 

Chairman, South EastOral Health Forum