Oral–B partners Nigerian Dental Association on disaster management

Oral-B, a brand of Procter and Gamble Nigeria is partnering with the Nigerian Dental Association (NDA) to bring into focus the role of dentists in disaster management and the integration of the dental profession into the scope of protecting human lives and other disaster management teams in the country.

Clement Olojede, president, NDA who disclosed this at a press conference in Lagos in respect of the forthcoming annual general meeting and scientific conference of the association holding in Port Harcourt, the Rivers State from June 5 and 6, 2013, explained that this objective has become imperative because the role of dentists in disaster management in Nigeria has not been properly understood and hence under-utilised.

He said erudite speakers who are vast in the knowledge of the subject under probe had been carefully selected to arouse awareness of the accident and disaster managers, adding that the meeting is aimed at sharing scientific knowledge and brainstorming to pave a pathway for the association as well as lay a sustainable foundation for future generations.

The theme of the conference is “Accident and Natural Disasters in Nigeria: The Role of the Dentists.”

Olojede noted that the decision to make the theme of this year’s conference centred on disaster management was necessitated by several factors which have led to mass disasters both locally and internationally.

Some of the factors include weather disaster, incidence of terrorism globally, mishaps involving mass travel; ethnic, religious and political clashes; the unfortunate cases of building collapse across the country; cases of pipeline explosions among others.

Also speaking, Adebusola Opanubi, regulatory and technical relations manager, Procter and Gamble, congratulated the Nigerian Dental Association for the conference and also the Nigerian consumers who would benefit directly or indirectly from what they would learn from it. She said “Oral-B is pleased to partner with the Association because we share a mutual interest in improving the oral health of the Nigerian consumer.”

Aregbesola said that as much as his administration is committed to the sound healthcare delivery to the people, they should ensure the cleanliness of their environment, with a view to ensuring the reduction in outbreak of epidemics and government expenses on healthcare delivery.

“We all know that no matter how big a hospital is, it cannot cater to the needs of everybody and that is why we must all ensure the cleanliness of our environment to reduce going to hospital for treatments.

“Our medical workers should also ensure that they remain friendly to their patients so that they will not feel depressed. But for a reason, no one will be willing to come to hospital for treatment.

“The taxpayers’ money was used for the construction of this health centre and you must treat them as kings and queens,” he said.

In his address, Ibrahim Akande, the executive secretary of Egbedore Local Government, said that the government at the state and local level in Osun attach much importance to the health of the people.