The Nigerian Dental Therapists’ Association (NDTA) has launched a sharp critique of the Federal Government’s proposed executive bill HB 2706, warning that the legislative amendment could “annex and kill” the dental therapy profession in Nigeria.

In a press release issued on Tuesday, the NDTA called for the immediate withdrawal of the bill, which seeks to amend the Dental Therapists Registration Board (DThRBN) Act of 2004.

While the association acknowledged the government’s intent to streamline board memberships and reduce the cost of governance, it argued that the current proposal prioritises political optics over professional expertise and public safety.

Describing the move as “dangerous regression”, the NDTA’s grievances centre on what they describe as “ambiguous” and “unprogressive” provisions within the bill.

According to the association, the new Section 2(1)(a) proposes a part-time chairman but fails to specify any required professional qualifications for the role.

Similar concerns were raised regarding the appointment of the Board Registrar.

“This is a classical vulnerable situation to pave the way for non-professionals to have control of the DThRBN through political means,” the statement read, labelling the move as “professional capture”.

Representation Crisis

The association pointed out several contradictions in the bill’s logic regarding board composition:

“Community vs. Professional Interest: While the government aims to reduce board sizes, the bill proposes increasing ‘community interest’ representatives to six while leaving only one seat for a practising dental therapist.

The Identity Gap:

Perhaps most controversially, the bill suggests that the Nigerian Dental Association (NDA)—a body primarily representing dentists—should have a seat on the board. The NDTA argues that the NDA does not represent dental therapists and that their inclusion undermines the autonomy of the profession.

Training Oversight:

It said the bill proposes a single representative for schools involved in training therapists, but lacks specific criteria for how that representative is chosen.

Risks to Public Safety

Beyond the internal politics of the healthcare sector, the NDTA warned that these changes pose a direct threat to the Nigerian public. By reducing professional oversight, the association fears that the quality of oral healthcare delivery will plummet, destabilising an already fragile health system.

The NDTA pointed to global standards in countries like the United States, Australia, and South Africa, where professional boundaries are strictly maintained to ensure clinical excellence.

“Nigeria cannot exist in isolation,” the association noted, arguing that the bill moves the country away from international best practices.

The Road Ahead

The statement, issued by the general secretary of the NDTA, Anugwor Chinedu, called for the immediate withdrawal of HB 2706 from the National Assembly.

As the debate moves to the floor of the legislature, the NDTA has signalled that it will not back down, framing the struggle as a fight for the “identity, integrity, and dignity” of dental therapy in Nigeria.

For now, the future of the nation’s dental regulatory framework remains in a state of high-stakes extraction. (Channels)