Dentists inaugurate state executive, decry existence of quacks in Abia

The Nigerian Dental Association, Abia State branch says for every four core practicing dentist in the state, there are twenty others out there as quacks.

Patron of the association, HRM Eze (Dr.) Eugene Ndimele, revealed this during the inaugural ceremony of the association’s chapter held in Umuahia recently, stating that this represents an average of 80 percent quacks in the industry in the state.

Speaking with newsmen after the occasion, Eze (Dr.) Ndimele, who is also a retired dentist, attributed the existence of quacks in the state to government who is supposed to checkmate the practice of dentistry through relevant agencies at their disposals.

Eze Ndimele regretted that the association has no constitutional powers to put an end to this dangerous practice, stating that only Medical and Dentist Council of Nigeria can, through proper enlightenment programme, eliminate the ugly trend.

Speaking earlier while inaugurating the state chapter, the National President, Nigerian Dental Association, Dr. Bode Ijarogbe, noted activities of quacks in the profession as worrisome and called for urgent measures to stem the tide as quickly as possible.

Dr. Ijarogbe while congratulating the pioneer executive of the body in the state, charged them to be united and be vigilant in order to fish out quacks and those portraying dental profession in bad light.

He reminded them that their inauguration was not a ceremonial exercise but to general well-being of the society and for a solution to prevent other health related cases.

He appreciated their commitment to ensure that the profession does not go into extinct in the state despite non-existence of executives for the body during the period under review.

In his remarks shortly after his inauguration, the state chairman, Dr. Innocent Iwegbu, noted that since 1998, efforts to establish the state chapter could not come to fruition until the occasion.

He also decried the flourishing of quackery in dental practice in the state and vowed to expose quacks among their midst, assuring the National president that the era of quacks in Abia State was over. He promised to collaborate with relevant authorities to achieve the desired goals.

Dr. Iwegbu also said he will be looking forward to partnering with the State government through Ministry of Health in stamping out the activities of charlatans in dental practice and deliver Abians from the menace. He appreciated the national president, Eze Ndimele; M/D, FMC Umuahia, Dr. Abali Chuku and others for making their dream come to reality.

The association used the occasion to honour some dignitaries, including the current state Chairman of University of Ife (Obafemi Awolowo University), Ile-ife Alumni Association and the Deputy Chairman, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Abia State, Chief P.C. Onyegbu, who expressed his delight that the era of dental quacks was over in Abia State.

In his speech later, the OAU Alumni chairman said it was time State Government partnered with Dental Association in Abia State considering the fact that the association has established its Executive for the first time, assuring that the association has come to stay like its other counterparts such for Doctors and Nurses and enjoined them to be focused and committed.