University Of Ibadan Dental School At 50; Day 2

On September 20th, 2025, the alumni class and students of UADS gathered at the Faculty of Dentistry Lecture Theater to continue the celebration of the University of Ibadan Dental School's 50th anniversary. The day's events focused on academic activities, following the sports day held the previous day.

Scientific Session

The day's first event was a scientific session featuring various alumni members presenting their research papers and receiving comments and questions from attending alumni and students. The presentations included:

Alumni Presentations

1. "Oral Health Through The Decades: Science, Service, Smiles. Evolution of The Health Care Model of Dental Outreach for Africa," presented by Dr. A. A. Fatunde.

2. "Perspectives on the Standard of Clinical Training at the Ibadan Dental School: A Cross-Sectional Survey of Clinical Students and Recent Graduates," presented by Dr. Salami AA.

3. "Non-Immunodeficiency Juvenile Periodontitis; Pan-Clinical Attributes and Treatment – The Jamaican Study: 15-Year Retrospective Study and a Unique Case Report," presented by Dr. Christopher Ogunsalu.

Special Webinar

A special webinar was presented by Dr. Israel Agaku, an alumnus who was unable to attend physically. He presented his topic, "Prioritizing Accuracy in an Era of Speed," via Zoom. His presentation focused on maximizing the use of AI in today’s research sphere.

Interdisciplinary Presentations

Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, College of Medicine, University of Ibadan

Members from the Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology also presented research papers exploring the association between obstetrics and gynaecology and oral health:

1. "Perception and Acceptability of Integration of Oral Healthcare into Maternal Health Care Services Among Antenatal Healthcare Providers," presented by Dr. A.S. Olagunju.

2. "Oral Health Throughout the Decade: Science, Service and Smiles Among HIV-Positive Women Undergoing Oral and Cervical HPV Screening in Sub-Saharan Africa - A Narrative Scoping Review," presented by Dr. Oyerinde.

Lagos University Teaching Hospital

The Dental Department of Lagos University Teaching Hospital was represented by Dr. Nagalato Haningh, who presented research on "Deep Fungal Infections Of The Orofacial Region; A Series of Cases Managed at The Lagos University Teaching Hospital."

The scientific session ended after Dr. Haningh's presentation, and the crowd dispersed for a tea break before reassembling for a panel session.

Interdisciplinary Collaboration 

‎The second agenda of the day kicked off upon return from the tea break. The moderator called upon three alumni-in-diaspora to make up the panel for a session of questioning, idea trading, suggestions, clarifications, and advice.

‎Dr. Fatusi Kehinde of Oral Surgery and Special Needs Dentistry in the UK, Dr. Adebimpe Ibitayo of Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopaedics in the US, and Dr. Christopher Ogunsalu, a Maxillofacial Surgeon based in Jamaica, were called to the panel to give their insights on “Linking the undergraduate and postgraduate curricula and abridging them with Global Dental practices.”

‎Dr. Ogunsalu opened the discussion, remarking that there has been a significant change in the curriculum since 1985. He opined that there has to be a consideration of sustenance of the dental programme in the changing of the academic curriculum, therefore, the curriculum can not be changed in isolation. ‎He clarified that the curriculum must be changed by emulating and “copying better institutions abroad," regarding the likelihood of Ibadan-trained dentists considering practice abroad.

‎”There should be a review of the curriculum to allow the best students to accomplish bilateral bachelor's and postgraduate degrees upon graduation.” ‎As to these effects, he concluded, there should be a curriculum review committee to allow at least an 8-year validity period for any revised version of the curriculum.

‎Dr. Adebimpe Ibitayo started by highlighting that practicality is lacking in the curriculum. “Theory is overemphasized, resulting in a more robust curriculum and a longer period in dental school. As opposed to the 7/8 years spent in Nigeria, Americans spend an average of 4years in Dental school.”

‎She followed by remarking that the translation of the local transcript abroad is generally unfavourable and advised that other exams be considered to back up the reputation that “Nigerians are hard workers and understated on paper.”

‎Dr. Fatusi Kehinde emphasized outlining the journey and expectations before the first steps. He also spoke on revising the curriculum to compete with or equal the global standards. ‎“There is a need to upgrade the curriculum. The old curriculum was sufficient for my time but now, the world has moved on from where we were.” He also spoke on the need for inculcation of Special Needs Dentistry in the curriculum as a humane and professional attempt to care for the differently abled people. “There is a fault in the training for caring for people with disabilities. In a country with 5-10% of the population living with disabilities, a new specialty called the SPECIAL NEEDS DENTISTRY is necessary. I became an Oral Surgeon by the skills of my hand but became a Special Needs Dentist by the compassion of my heart. Special Needs Dentistry is an emerging specialty and should be introduced to the revised curriculum.”

‎He also spoke on the need to bring the Ibadan Dental School up to date with exposure to modern technology. ‎“Part of what sets us apart in Birmingham is the use of technology. AI medicine and robotics are breaking ground in the field, and it is something Ibadan Dental School must consider.” He then spoke on the foreign student exchange programme and the opportunities available through its addition to the curriculum.  

‎The Question and Answer session was very insightful with students and practitioners engaging the panelists. 

‎Answering a student’s question on the US route for Nigerian-trained dentists, Dr Ibitayo explained that the licensing exam has to be taken in the United States. She said that there is an organization, KAPLAN, registered by the US government to provide aid and accommodation for prospective foreign students taking the NBDE, the licensing exam.

‎There was a particularly enlightening interaction between the professionals, in diaspora and within the nation, on the number of years spent by students in the medical school before the dental school. Dr. Ogunsalu opined that “it is reasonable to allow the dental students to do the junior rotations in medicine and surgery before the dentistry rotations. No knowledge is wasted, and the junior rotations' knowledge will aid immensely when they cross to the dental school.” 

The panelists, in their various words, advised the students on settling for a specialty after the BDS degree. They noted that one's environment or circumstances may influence the specialty eventually chosen as sometimes, students may set aside their preferred choice and pursue whatever opportunity is available. Also, what comes naturally and is enjoyable can serve as a useful guide, because doing what one loves may not even feel like work.

‎The session ended with the departure of the students and guests from the hall and a private moment of reminiscences amongst the Alumni.

Olajide Olamide 

Abdulrahmon Quareeb