While the keynote speaker, Prof. Carlos Flores- MIR presented a virtual lecture on dental health, the Chief Medical Director, Lagos University Teaching Hospital, Prof. Wasiu Adeyemo examined major clinical progress the country has experienced while appraising the pioneer of the association, MC Izikwe, and emphasizing the need to continue training the younger generations of orthodontists to understand the relevance of practicing in the country rather than abroad and sustaining interests for practitioners through the pull factors.

Meanwhile the President of the association, Chief Medical Director, University of Benin Teaching Hospital, Prof. Idia Ize-Iyamu, examined the relevance of the theme to giving a more comprehensive and complete structure to ethical practices and professionalism amongst orthodontists in Nigeria.

Dr. Iyamu noted that 360 degrees depicts a holistic approach to experience, ethics and excellence. She pointed that as appliances have changed, Techniques also have changed as well as products, looking from 20years ago when the association was founded. Hence, the President explained that the association also train students, middle and high-level manpower for assistance.

“In addition to the orthodontist, we also have the nurses that work with us. We have the lab people, we have the therapists that work with us. And we just want to appreciate them because while we are evolving, they also have to evolve with us. We cannot evolve alone, and that is why when we are doing these conferences, we carry all of them along” she stated.

Past President of the association, Professor of Orthodontist, College of Medicine, University of Lagos, Prof. Oluwatosin Sanu retrospected on history of Orthodontist practices which started in Nigeria in the year 1985 while the association was founded in 2006. She noted that the watch-ward of Orthodontists have been towards excellence from inception.

Therefore in view of combatting quackery in Orthodontist practices in Nigeria, Prof Sanu emphasized that the regulatory bodies present at the event such as the medical and dental council, the Nigeria Dental Association and others will be doing justice to strategies on getting a better system.

“Particularly, even us as Orthordontists, we need to begin to combat ways, and this can only be possible through awareness, programs to schools, and groups where we know that this kind of training will be required” she added.