LAGOS, Nigeria (FN) — A shortage of qualified dentists is limiting access to quality oral healthcare across Nigeria, according to Dr. Abraham Akinbami, Lead Doctor and Chief Executive Officer of Toothmine Dental Clinic.
Speaking at the commissioning of a new Toothmine branch in Lekki, Lagos, Akinbami called for increased investment in dental education to attract more students to the profession. “The shortage of dentists is a huge challenge in Nigeria,” he said. “If we have more investment in education, we will definitely have more professionals in the field.”
Akinbami said the clinic, which has operated in Gbagada, is expanding to meet growing demand for dental services. He emphasized the importance of digital technology and telemedicine in improving service delivery and outreach. “We are moving into telemedicine, although the equipment for that is not yet widely available,” he noted.
The clinic also organizes outreach programs offering preventive care and basic treatments, including tooth restoration, fillings, and extractions. Akinbami said social media has become a powerful tool for raising awareness about oral health.
Affordability remains a concern, he added, but Toothmine offers flexible payment plans to increase access. “Affordability is dicey, but we try to get as many people as possible covered,” he said.
Several patients at the event shared their experiences. “I had to wait months to see a dentist in my area,” said Lagos resident Chinyere Okafor. “Toothmine’s outreach saved me from losing a tooth.”
Another patient, Musa Ibrahim, said he traveled from Ogun State for treatment. “There are no dental clinics in my town. I had to take time off work and spend extra money just to get care,” he said.
The Nigerian Dental Association (NDA) echoed Akinbami’s concerns, noting that the country has fewer than 5,000 registered dentists serving a population of over 200 million. “We need urgent policy intervention to expand dental schools and incentivize young professionals,” said NDA President Dr. Grace Olatunde.
Officials from the Lagos State Ministry of Health acknowledged the shortage and said efforts are underway to improve dental infrastructure. “We are working with private clinics to expand access and promote oral health awareness,” said Dr. Tunde Alabi, Director of Public Health.
Civil society groups also weighed in. The Health Equity Alliance called the dentist shortage “a silent crisis” and urged the federal government to include oral health in national health insurance schemes.
The new Lekki office is equipped to serve residents on Lagos Island, and staff are trained to prioritize patient satisfaction. “We want to change the narrative about dentistry,” Akinbami said. “We make the environment friendly and comfortable for our patients.”
The commissioning ceremony was attended by Dr. Hilda Akinbami, Director of the organization; Akinnubi Olatomiwa, Business Development Manager; Babajide Williams, Administrative Officer; and partner Ikenna Chima.
