The Association of Dental Technologists of Nigeria (ADTN) has strongly opposed a proposed amendment to the law regulating dental technologists, warning that it could undermine professional autonomy and weaken the effectiveness of the regulatory framework.
In a press statement signed by National President Eyarefe O. Stephen and General Secretary Comrade Haruna Jethro Joe, the association condemned House Bill No. HB.2704, which seeks to amend the Dental Technologists (Registration, Etc.) Act, Cap. D6, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2004.
- Key Concerns:
- Reduction of practicing dental technologists on the regulatory board to a single member.
- Proposal to include six community interest representatives, outweighing professional members.
- Lack of clear qualification criteria for the board’s part‑time chairman.
- Absence of a sustainable funding structure for the regulatory body.
ADTN argued that effective regulation requires strong professional representation, stressing that “a regulatory board is most effective when those with the requisite technical expertise and firsthand understanding of the profession play a central role in governance.”
The association highlighted the vital role dental technologists play in oral healthcare — from laboratory services and prosthetic rehabilitation to digital dental design and collaboration with dental surgeons. While supporting public participation in governance, ADTN insisted that professional expertise must remain central to oversight in such a specialized healthcare field.
