4th Biennial Lecture: Experts in LASUCOM set Agenda for dentistry
…say AI future of Dentistry*
By Akinyemi Precious
Experts at the Lagos State University College of Medicine (LASUCOM), Faculty of Dentistry have probed into the future of dentistry profession in Nigeria, saying Artificial Intelligence (AI) is the way forward.
This was the subject of discourse during the 4th Biennial Faculty Day Lecture held on Thursday at the College, in Ikeja Lagos.
The lecture themed “Artificial Intelligence: Current Application and Future Use in Dentistry” saw experts dissecting the diversified approaches toward AI in the Dentistry profession.
The keynote speaker, Coordinator, New HIV Vaccine and Microbiade Advocacy Society and Executive Director of the Central Office of Research, Obafemi Awolowo University, Professor Morenike Oluwatoyin Folayan expounded on AI and it’s components in relation to the profession in Nigeria.
Harping that “this is the dawn of a new era, driven by AI advancements”, she expounded the potentials of AI, emphasising the benefits it will bring to current application and future use in Dentistry.
According to her, AI will enhance diagnostic capacity, make personalised treatment possible, make virtual simulation and training possible.
She added that with AI’s predictive analysis using databases of patients, care will be more personalised.
“AI gives instant feedbacks, aims to improve professional’s competence, adapt educational curriculum and do so much more.
“AI is the future, it’s where we are going,” she said, stating it is a game changer for students, teachers and patients alike.
She submitted offer of B.Sc programmes driven by the proposed AI architecture.
Folayan, however, noted that AI is wired in the American and European thinking and is not involving African Philosophies.
The don mentioned that robots can also be created by Africans and African cultures and values instilled in them as well.
She encouraged that Nigeria should not lag behind in its use as it is already in use in other countries.
Also at the symposium, experts treated cogent topics addressing issues including the impact of outward migration of dental professionals on dental education and dental profession in Nigeria with a lecture delivered by Professor and Head of Department, Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery Department, College of Medicine, University of Lagos, Professor Olalekan Gbotolorun.
Professor Gbotolorun in his lecture made known the reasons for the migration of dentists in Nigeria to other countries.
He segregated them into macro reasons which include insecurity, crisis in the educational sector, underfunding of the health system, global salary structure among others; meso reasons such as renumeration, career prospects, job satisfaction among others; and micro reasons such as family ties, better quality of life, advancing age, among others.
He explained that the most important drivers of migration for health workers were mostly on meso level.
“These have caused losses and the health sector is bearing the consequences,” he said.
He implored that renumeration must be addressed, there should be minimisation of medical tourism by government officials in particular and the country at large, appropriate pricing of medical education and provision of scholarship for those willing to receive same with certain caveat including making them sign a bond to stay for some years after studies.
Also treated was “Can dentistry survive in Nigeria in view of migration? by the Chairman, Schubbs Dental Clinics Limited, Dr Olabode Karunwi.
Dr Bode Karunwi in his lecture said that indeed Dentistry can survive in Nigeria despite migration of Dentists.
He said this only can be made possible when the emigration push factors are addressed.
He made it known that in early 2022, over 100 medical consultants departed from 17 Nigerian tertiary institutions.
“Over the preceeding two years, more Nigerian dentists are migrating abroad compared to non-Nigerians coming in,” he said.
He mentioned that lack of honesty and transparency in the Nigerian Health System has contributed to its setback.
He encouraged the Government to address the underlying reasons that drive dentists to leave the Country.
He added that organised structure, universal health coverage, implementation of health insurance policies, access to loans, affordable housing, proper statistics and data, among others, will encourage health practitioners to remain in the Country.
Other dons in attendance were the Vice Chancellor, Lagos State University, Professor Ibiyemi Olatunji-Bello represented by the Vice Chancellor Administration, Professor Adenike Boyo; the Special Guest, Chief Medical Director, LASUTH, Ikeja, Professor Adetokunbo O. Fabamwo represented by Dr Bamidele Ayodele; the Chief Host was Provost, LASUCOM, Professor Abiodun Adewuya; the Host, Dean, Faculty of Dentistry, LASUCOM, Professor Kehinde Adebiyi and Deputy Provost, Professor O.E Idowu among other dentists, professors and health practitioners.
