The Nigerian Dental Therapists’ Association (NDTA) has raised concerns over what it described as systemic marginalisation and administrative irregularities within the Dental Therapists Registration Board of Nigeria (DThRBN).
The association issued a press statement signed by its national secretary, Comrade Anugwor Joseph Chinedu, and distributed to journalists via email, Sunday, calling for urgent reforms to safeguard the integrity of the profession and the welfare of its members.
The NDTA said the ongoing crisis began following the exit of the former registrar, Mrs. M. O. Ojo, on February 28, 2025. Since then, the office of the Registrar/CEO has remained closed, with no acting registrar appointed by the Federal Ministry of Health.
The association said it has stalled essential regulatory functions such as the registration of new professionals and the issuance of practice licenses. As a result, many newly qualified dental therapists are unable to participate in the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), while others face difficulties in securing employment or receiving promotions due to the absence of valid licenses.
NDTA alleged that the refusal to appoint an acting registrar is not a mere oversight, but a deliberate strategy to create a vacuum that would enable the selection of a favoured successor loyal to the former registrar.
This move, according to the NDTA, is aimed at shielding Mrs. Ojo from being held accountable for alleged mismanagement during her tenure.
Further deepening its concerns, the NDTA pointed out that since the establishment of the DThRBN over three decades ago, all previous registrars have come from the same geopolitical zone.
The association warned that retaining the position within the same zone would violate the federal character principle and risk fostering division and resentment among members from other parts of the country.
NDTA also criticised the ongoing recruitment process, accusing the supervising committee of bias. It claimed that the criteria for applicants were skewed to favour two specific candidates: Mr. Ojo Richard, reportedly a relative of the former registrar, and Dr. Dele Anisere, a known associate both of whom are from the same region as past registrars.