BRIEF HISTORY OF THE DEPARTMENT OF CHILD DENTAL HEALTH

The Department of Child Dental Health came into existence on 1st of August, 1980 when the three departments existing in the Division of Dentistry were reorganized into five.

Administrative structure:

The department consists of two units; paedodontics and orthodontics. There is the Head of Department who oversees the affairs and administration of the two units. The current Head Of Department is Professor Elizabeth O. Sote.

There are seven honorary consultants as follows:

Paedodontic Unit:

Prof. Elizabeth O. Sote, Dr. Olubunmi O. Orenuga and Dr. Folakemi A. Oredugba.

Orthodontic Unit:

Prof. Mike C. Isiekwe, Dr. Oluranti o. daCosta, Dr. Oluwatosin o. Sanu and Dr. Ifeoma L. Utomi.

Services rendered:

Oral health care in the specialties ofPaedodontics and Orthodontics is provided to children, adolescents and persons with special health care needs. Research activities are carried out in these areas as well in order to enhance excellent oral health services to the populace. Registrars are trained in both specialties for the award of Fellowship Diplomas of the National Postgraduate Medical College of Nigeria and the West African College of Surgeons.

Dental House Officers also have clinical rotations in both units during the period of internship.

Achievements:

The department was the premier postgraduate training institution for paedodontics and orthodontics in Nigeria. Thus, the department has trained many paedodontists and orthodontists who are now in practice in various parts of Nigeria and overseas. The department has also been engaged in many research activities which are published in both local and international journals.

Strengths and opportunities:

As a foremost training institution, and with an enviable list of manpower the department is capable of turning out more specialists for the Nigerian populace. There is also room for more research and expansion of the department.

Heads of Department since inception include:

Professor E. O. Sote
Professor M. C. Isiekwe
Professor J. O. Adenubi