More Than Just Teeth: The Five Pillars of Dentistry
In those early days, the school was run as a single Department of Dentistry under its very first head, Dr. J.O. Daramola. The program quickly proved its high standards, earning full official accreditation from both the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria (MDCN) and the National Universities Commission (NUC) in 1978.
By August 1981, the dental school had grown so much that it was split from a single unit into four distinct departments to help students specialize: Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery (led by Prof. J.O. Daramola), Preventive Dentistry (led by Dr. Morenike O. Noah), Restorative Dentistry (led by Dr. S.P. Luthra), and Oral Pathology (led by Dr. H.A. Ajagbe).
Following further growth and approval by the University Senate, the National Universities Commission formally recognized the school as a full-fledged Faculty of Dentistry in 2002. To keep up with modern global standards, the Department of Preventive Dentistry was divided into two new departments between 2004 and 2005: the Department of Child Oral Health and the Department of Periodontology and Community Dentistry. According to faculty records, this exciting transition was led by a key team of pioneer officers: Dr. J.O. Lawoyin as the first Acting Dean, Professor Gbemisola Oke as the first Sub-Dean for postgraduate studies, and Dr. A.O. Fasola as the first Sub-Dean for undergraduate studies. Today, the Faculty of Dentistry proudly stands on these five essential pillars:
The Department of Periodontology and Community Dentistry
This department focuses on preventing, diagnosing, and treating diseases that affect the gums and supporting structures of the teeth. It also works hard to promote dental health in local communities.
The Department of Restorative Dentistry
Restorative dentistry is all about repairing and replacing damaged or missing teeth to give patients back their smiles and ability to chew comfortably. It is divided into two main units: Conservative Dentistry (fillings and root canals) and Prosthetic Dentistry (crowns, bridges, and dentures).
The Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery
This department specializes in surgical treatments for injuries, diseases, and defects of the mouth, jaws, and face. It teaches oral surgery to dental students, as well as medical and nursing students who need to understand facial trauma and care.
Department of Oral Pathology and Medicine
This department acts as the bridge between basic science and clinical dentistry. It helps clinicians understand the underlying diseases of the mouth through three sub-units: Oral Medicine, Oral Diagnosis and Radiology, and Oral Histopathology.
Department of Child Oral Health
Dedicated entirely to younger patients, this department specializes in the oral health of children from infancy all the way through their teenage years.
This commitment to dental excellence naturally extends far beyond undergraduate training. According to the postgraduate guidelines of the University of Ibadan, the Faculty of Dentistry offers a great selection of higher degrees for dentists looking to specialize. Run in partnership with the Postgraduate College, dentists can pursue a Master of Dental Surgery (MDS), Master of Science (MSc), Master of Philosophy (MPhil), and even Postgraduate Diplomas in Forensic Odontology (using dental records to help identify individuals in legal cases).
Ultimately, dentistry as practiced at the University of Ibadan and around the world is about so much more than just pulling aching teeth or filling cavities. It is a medical field that proves daily how closely oral health is tied to our overall body health.
The future of dentistry promises even closer ties with technology and medicine. Incredible innovations like Artificial Intelligence (AI) to help read X-rays and diagnose issues early, 3D-printed teeth and dental parts, and regenerative therapies (using the body's own cells to regrow dental tissues) are rapidly changing how we care for patients.
As the famous medical saying goes, “The mouth is the mirror of the body, and dentistry is the art of reading its reflection.” The Faculty of Dentistry remains dedicated to a future where oral health is recognized as an essential part of daily health, well-being, and human dignity.
Chiamaka Nwandu
Post a Comment