A rural dental clinic has been commissioned by the University of Medical Sciences (UNIMED), Ondo City, Ondo State, to mark the 2022 World Oral Health Day.
The building was completed by Ile-Oluji Development Council (IDC) and handed over to the Faculty of Dental Sciences, UNIMED, Ondo as a support facility for training and dental healthcare in the Ile-Oluji kingdom.
Speaking at the commissioning of the dental clinic and a dental outreach by the university to mark the 2022 world oral health day, the Vice-Chancellor, UNIMED, Ondo, Prof. Adesegun Fatusi noted that rural healthcare is vital for the development of the Nigerian health sector.
In a keynote address based on the theme of the 2022 oral health day which is ‘Be proud of your mouth – Look after your oral health for your happiness and well-being,’ Prof. Fatusi said good oral health is important for overall wellbeing.
He said: ‘A lot of Nigerians don’t value dentistry, even professors don’t go for dental care, but today, we are here in this community to launch a revolution, to bring to the consciousness of our society that dentistry and dental care are very important. We chose to start from Ile-Oluji because for us in the University of Medical Sciences, Ondo, our motto is ‘for learning and community services,’ and we believe in starting from our communities.’
‘Many times patients come to the hospital at a very late stage but when we work with the community, we can begin to find people very early, at a point where we can help them and the cost of care is very low. And that is why what we will be doing in Ile-Oluji is going to be phenomenal and is going to change the lives and destiny of people in this town,’ the VC added.
Addressing the gathering, the Jegun Olu-Ekun and Paramount Ruler of Ile-Oluji Kingdom, His Royal Majesty, Oba (Dr.) Olufadering Oluwole Adetimehin, FIIN, FCIB appreciated the University management for choosing to partner with the community to promote the health of people of the community.
‘On our part as community stakeholders, we shall not relent in our continued effort to ensure the sustainability and underlying goals and objectives of the new dental centre, and I appeal to all Dental Surgeons and support staff to be humane while delivering dental care services.’ Oba Adetimehin stated.
The high point of the occasion was the commissioning of the Dental Clinic at Oke Alafia Primary Health Centre. The dental equipment were donated to the university by DOFAS, a philanthropic group based in the United States of America.
The Acting Dean, Faculty of Dental Sciences, UNIMED, Ondo, Dr. Ezekiel Adebayo appreciated all donors for their sacrifice and commitment towards improving access to quality dental services in Ile-Oluji.
He said: ‘On our part, we shall endeavor to sustain services at the clinic. Dental services are indeed expensive, but we are committed to making them affordable and accessible. We will utilize the clinic for community dental posting of resident doctors from the teaching hospital and students from the University.
As of the time of filing this report, more than 50 people from Ile-Oluji kingdom have benefited from the free dental check-up by the university and the programme continues till Wednesday 23rd March 2022.
