Fawaz Bello
Not less than 1396 patients have benefitted from a free dental treatment and awareness program that took place recently in all the 10 local governments of oke-ogun area, Oyo north senatorial district of Oyo state. This rare fit was the initiative of Cleft and Facial Deformity Foundation (CFDF), in association with Oyo state government and the 10 local government areas of Oke-ogun as well as well-meaning donors like Senator Buhari. CFDF is an Abuja based non-governmental organization (NGO) that has been in existence for about 10 years, operating mainly in north central region of Nigeria and is headed by an Ago Are, Oke-ogun born dentist and maxillofacial surgeon, Dr Seidu A. Bello. The first batch of the program that took place in March 2019 traversed Kishi, Ago-Amodu, Otu, Okeho, Iwere-ile and Ago-are, which are headquarters of Irepo, Saki east, Itesiwaju, Kajola, Iwajowa and Atisbo south local government areas respectively. The second phase took place in Nov 2019 and covered Igboho, Tede, Saki, Ilero, Iseyin and Ipapo.
In a brief closing ceremony at the palace of his royal highness, Oba Yekini Ademola Abioye, Eleyinpo of Ipapo land, the director of the foundation Dr Seidu A. Bello stated ‘’It is appalling and grossly unacceptable that Oke ogun with a population of 1.6 million and 10 local governments can only boast of dental services in only two towns of Iseyin and Saki and more importantly, these 2 centres are poorly equipped and grossly under patronised’’ According to him, the need to create awareness about dental diseases and management among the people of Oke ogun is the main motive behind the program and more importantly there is a need to assist the less privileged as a way of alleviating their sufferings.
The commonest dental problems encountered among the people included poor oral hygiene, periodontitis (Gum disease) characterized by various degree of teeth mobility, dental caries (tooth decay) and mouth odour. All these diseases could be traced to a singular factor of long time neglect of the oral health. The treatment included dental extractions, teeth cleaning (scaling and polishing), teeth fillings and general counselling. The treatment were carried out by a team of 33 Nigerian based volunteer professionals including dental surgeons, dental therapist, dental surgery assistant and administrative officers. ‘’We are very grateful for the free dental service rendered, the professionals were friendly and carried on with passion and incredibly the treatment was free’’ Mr Layo Kehinde, the publicity secretary of Iseyin Development Union (IDU) that accessed his treatment at Iseyin stated. According to him, he hopes this exercise would continue periodically.