Health
High Cost Of Dental Care Limits Access To Treatment In Nigeria — Dentist
Dr Ridwan Kekere-Ekun, Deputy Medical Director, General Hospital, Apapa, says high costs of dental materials, equipment and hospital operations limit Nigerians’ access to timely dental care.
By Catherine Egwuom
Dr Ridwan Kekere-Ekun, Deputy Medical Director, General Hospital, Apapa, says high costs of dental materials, equipment and hospital operations limit Nigerians’ access to timely dental care.
Kekere-Ekun, Chief Dental Officer at the hospital, made this known in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria on Monday.
Kekere-Ekun identified imported dental equipment and materials, whose prices were affected by the naira’s depreciation, as major factors driving up treatment costs.
He added that high energy costs, including petrol and diesel for generators, increased hospitals’ operational expenses, which were transferred to patients through higher bills.
The dentist also attributed the problem to inadequate government funding of hospitals and limited public trust in health insurance schemes.
He said poor insurance coverage forced many Nigerians to pay out-of-pocket for consultations, X-rays, prescriptions and dental treatments.
According to him, financial constraints often prevent patients from completing investigations and recommended procedures, forcing some to abandon treatment or select only one of several planned interventions.
“Simply put, the consequences are predictable dental complications, unplanned hospital admissions, extended stays in the hospital, extended treatment time, requests for newer or more investigations,” he said.
Kekere-Ekun added that delayed treatment could necessitate referrals and specialist reviews, while increasing morbidity and mortality risks.
He said the problem was common among patients visiting his hospital, noting that feedback from patients regularly highlighted the financial difficulties they encountered.
The dentist said some patients moved between dental facilities in search of cheaper and more affordable treatment.
He urged the government to increase funding for dental units and reduce import duties on dental equipment to make services more affordable.
Kekere-Ekun also called for mandatory enrolment in health insurance schemes, supported by adequate public sensitisation, to reduce patients’ out-of-pocket expenditure.
He recommended greater investment in preventive dental care through public education, community outreach, free scaling and polishing, and public-private partnerships.
The dentist further urged the government to expand dental services and reduce hospitals’ energy costs through electricity and diesel subsidies, generator support and solar installations.(NAN)(www.nannews.ng)
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Edited by Oluwafunke Ishola
