Edo State governor, Senator Monday Okpebholo, on Thursday called on members of the Nigerian Association of Orthodontics to embrace technology and innovations to advance development in the health sector.
Okpebholo made the call at the 19th Scientific Conference and Annual General Meeting of the Association which had as its theme, “Embracing Technology and Innovations in Orthodontics: Pioneering the Future”, in Benin, the Edo State capital.
Represented by the State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Cyril Oshiomhole, Governor Okpebholo identified technology and innovation as key factors in making advancement in the health sector.
He appreciated the association for their consistency and commitment to advancing oral health in Nigeria.
“Orthodontics is not only about aligning teeth. It is about restoring confidence, improving speech, nutrition, and overall wellbeing. You make people smile with dignity, and that is priceless,”Okpebholo said.
He described the theme of this year’s conference – embracing technology and innovations as apt and timely.
Okpebholo, who urged participants and delegates on the need to embrace technology and innovations in Orthodontics, said Artificial Intelligence was transforming the way Orthodontics care was being delivered.
“For us in Nigeria, the real challenge is to ensure that these innovations do not remain out of reach for the majority of our people. We must embrace technology in a way that improves access, affordability, and safety for all,” he stressed.
Earlier, the President of the association, Dr. Olayinka Adeyinka, said orthodontics play a crucial role in delivering optimal oral health care to the population by correcting and managing malocclusions, which most times, if not treated can be functionally and mentally debilitating.
“We also play a major and critical role in the management and rehabilitation of babies born with cleft lip and palate, managing them until adolescence years along with other specialists.
“Most of these patients come from low-income families, and Orthodontists help ease the burden of care for these patients through their timely and expertise intervention,” he said.
Adeyinka, who emphasised the role of orthodontics in healthcare delivery, wished the incoming President of the Association, Professor Idia Ize-Iyamu a successful tenure.
