From Students to Stewards of Smiles — Dental Therapists Registration Board of Nigeria in conjunction with FUAHSE Inducts New Generation of Dental Therapists

The Federal University of Allied Health Sciences Enugu (FUAHSE), Faculty of Dental Health, Department of Dental Therapy, with the Dental Therapists Registration Board of Nigeria on Tuesday, 24th February 2026, formally Inducted its Dental Therapy Graduands in a colourful and glamorous ceremony  that marked the  transition from Students to Certified Professionals.

The Induction and Oath-taking ceremony drew members of the University Management, Regulatory Bodies, Professional Associations, Families, and well-wishers who gathered to witness the historic milestone in the lives of the new Dental Therapists.

Representing the Vice Chancellor, Prof. John Emaimo, the University Registrar, Barr. Dr. Chris Igbokwe, delivered a stirring address congratulating the Inductees for reaching a defining moment in their Professional careers.

“You are no longer just students,” he declared. “You are now entrusted as members of a respected Dental Family as Dental Therapists. You are entering a field that requires more than just intellectual capability,  Dental Therapy is a calling that demands empathy, unwavering integrity, and relentless dedication.”

He reminded them that the journey ahead would be demanding, filled with stress and the pressures of the evolving Healthcare Environment. However, he urged them to see challenges as vital experiences rather than obstacles.

The Vice Chancellor reaffirms his confidence in quality training and high Standards the Institution is known for are the impetus for Career success. 

“Your journey towards obtaining your licence to practise is a privilege, not a right,” he emphasized, charging them to uphold the highest ethical standards in their Professional conduct.

 The Head of Department of Dental Therapy, FUAHSE, Dr. Justina N. Ngwu, in her address , described the ceremony as more than a celebration, stating that , “Today, we are not just celebrating the completion of your Curriculum,”  “We are celebrating your transition from Students of Science to Practitioners of Art".

 

You have survived the rigours of the phantom head Lab, the pressure of Clinical quotas, Community outreaches, and the intensity of Professional examinations.”

In her heartfelt charge to the Inductees, she reminded them that Professional integrity must be constant in you.

She left the graduates with three key mandates: to never stop learning, to protect the reputation of the Profession and the University, and to prioritise underserved Communities.

“The day you think you know everything about oral pathology or dental materials is the day you become a dangerous practitioner,” she cautioned.

The National President of the Nigerian Dental Therapists' Association (NDTA), Comrade Fashim Amaya Zetan, described the event as the climax of years of sacrifice and disciplined training.

“Today marks the crest of the culmination of years of rigorous academic training, late-night study sessions, and the development of clinical skills that have prepared you for this noble profession,” he stated.

He informed the inductees that the NDTA is now their professional association and an affiliate union of the Nigerian Union of Allied Health Professionals (NUAHP), assuring them of the Association’s continued support and guidance.

Also speaking at the ceremony, the Registrar/CEO of the Dental Therapists' Registration Board of Nigeria (DTRBN), Dr. Dele Anisere, explained that the Board was established by Law to Regulate the Training, Registration, Licensing, and Professional Practice of Dental Therapists, Dental Surgery Technologists, and Dental Surgery Technicians in Nigeria.

“Your induction today signifies that you have met the minimum standards required by Law and are now being formally Admitted into the Professional Family,” he affirmed.

The ceremony also featured a thought-provoking lecture by the Guest Speaker, Mrs. Ezema Scholastica, who spoke on the theme, “Ethics and Jurisprudence in Dental Practice,” emphasizing the Legal and moral responsibilities that accompany Professional practice.

Among other dignitaries present were the University Bursar, Mrs. Felicia Egbeh; the University Librarian, Dr. Ifeanyi Jonas Ezema; the Director of Academic Planning, Rev. Sr. Dr. Henrietta Uzoeto; and the Ag. Dean, Faculty of Dental Health, Dr. Peter C. Okorie.

The highlight of the ceremony was the Administration of the Professional Oath, sealing the Graduands’ commitment to ethical practice, lifelong learning, and compassionate Service.

As the newly inducted Dental Therapists recited the oath in unison, it was clear that a new chapter had begun — one defined not only by Professional competence, but by conscience, courage, and commitment to improving Oral Health outcomes across Nigeria and beyond.

Public Relations Unit,

FUAHSE.