By Ireti Asemota.
Abuja – The President of the Nigerian Dental Association (NDA), Dr. Emedom Elias, has issued a strong public health alert: Stop using your teeth to open bottles — or risk fractures, gum damage, and lifelong oral complications.
Speaking on Saturday at the 58th NDA Annual General Meeting and Scientific Conference in Abuja (November 12–15, 2025), Dr. Elias described the mouth as a “highly sensitive organ” that demands careful protection.
“The habit of using teeth to open drinks is dangerous,” he told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN). “It can cause tooth cracks, enamel damage, gum tears, and even lead to infections or abscesses. These are not small issues — they can escalate into serious, costly problems.”
He urged Nigerians to break harmful habits immediately:
“Your mouth is not a tool. Treat it with respect.”
How to Build a Strong Dental Practice in Nigeria
Dr. Elias also outlined key pillars for sustainable dental care:
- Modern Equipment – “A clinic without proper tools is like a surgeon without a scalpel.”
- Public Education – “People avoid dentists because they don’t know the risks of neglect.”
- Continuous Training – “Dental science evolves. So must our skills.”
The Rural Dental Care Crisis: “Urban Bias Leaves Villages Toothless”
A major barrier to oral health equity? Geography.
“Nearly all dental clinics — even government ones — are in cities,” Dr. Elias lamented. “Rural Nigerians travel hours for basic care, or go without. That’s unacceptable.”
His solution:
Integrate dental units into Primary Health Centres (PHCs) across rural areas.
“If every local government has a dental chair in its PHC, access improves overnight,” he said.
Funding: The Silent Killer of Dental Progress
Dr. Elias didn’t mince words on the sector’s biggest enemy: chronic underfunding.
“We train dentists, but without equipment, infrastructure, or rural outreach budgets, we’re fighting with one hand tied.”
He called on the government to:
- Increase budgetary allocation to oral health
- Subsidize dental equipment for public clinics
- Partner with NDAs for nationwide awareness campaigns
Takeaway: Your Smile Starts with Smart Habits
As the conference wraps up today, Dr. Elias left attendees — and all Nigerians — with a simple message:
Brush twice daily. Floss. Visit a dentist yearly. And never, ever open a bottle with your teeth.
Your future self (and your dentist) will thank you.
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