Medical experts have called on the Federal and State Governments to help fund training centers to help prevent or correct irregularities of the teeth in the country.
Medical Women Association of Nigeria, MWAN Edo State in collaboration with Nigerian Association of Orthodontists, NAO, Edo State chapter made the call on the occasion of this year’s World Orthodontics Health Day at the University of Benin Teaching Hospital, UBTH, Benin City.
Professor Idia Ize-Iyamu, National Vice President, Nigerian Association of Orthodontists, Edo State said the importance of orthopaedic could not be overestimated. Speaking further on the theme for this year ‘My Orthodontist and Me Smiling Together’ explained that the core objective of the day was to enlighten the public on the importance of correcting misaligned teeth among individuals.
Professor Ize-Iyamu stated that the duties of orthodontists were basically to correct crooked teeth. She said: “the core objective is to enlighten the public on the importance of correcting misaligned teeth among individuals”.
Professor Iza-Iyamu went further to say: “what the orthodontist does basically is to correct the smile. If the teeth are crooked, the Orthodontist works on them. If the teeth are not closing properly, the Orthodontist fixes it. The Orthodontist deals with the esthetic, emotional and psychological well being of patients by correcting their smiles.”
She also said that the essence of the day was to let Orthodontists worldwide showcase their speciality and create awareness to people having issues with the arrangement of their teeth were they could get appropriate treatment, in order not to go to the wrong place for treatment.
According to her: Malocclusion can lead to one having low self-esteem and lack of confidence as it reduces the quality of life of an individual.
Also speaking, Dr. Anago Onyebuchi, Secretary-General Medical Women Association of Nigeria(MWAN), Edo State, assured that the association would continue to collaborate with people especially women in the state to improve their wellbeing. Dr. Anago was of the view that the creation of awareness for the public to know more about orthopaedic was key for people to be aware of world orthodontist day and the importance.
On her part, the first female professor of Orthodontist in Nigeria, Professor Alice Umweni, said Orthodontists were the only people qualified to treat all forms of malocclusion in children and adults.
A Patient, Dr Ayanga Enoh, told journalists that there had been a great change since she visited an orthodontist for treatment. She stated that many people who knew her before medication could not recognize her again. She said she was speaking well and feeling more confident
The medical experts however cautioned Nigerians to be aware of quacks in the profession and appealed to governments to create more centres where Orthodontist could be trained efficiently with more materials and equipment. The event which held at dental complex, University of Benin Teaching Hospital, UBTH, played host to medical practitioners.
Orthodontic World Health Day holds May 15 every year. The day is set aside by World Federation of Orthodontist to create awareness about effects and treatment of malocclusion.
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