Dental Technologists Reject Proposed Amendment to Regulatory Law, Seek Halt of Bill

The Association of Dental Technologists of Nigeria (ADTN) has kicked against a proposed amendment to the law establishing the Dental Technologists Registration Board of Nigeria (DTRBN), calling on the National Assembly to halt further legislative action on the bill.

In a statement jointly signed by its National President, Eyarefe O. Stephen, and General Secretary, Comrade Haruna Jethro Joe, the association described House Bill No. HB.2704 as a threat to the profession’s regulatory independence and effectiveness.

The bill seeks to amend the Dental Technologists (Registration, Etc.) Act, Cap. D6, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2004, with particular changes to the composition of the DTRBN governing board.

The ADTN warned that certain provisions, if passed, could weaken professional standards and institutional credibility. According to the association, dental technologists are key players in oral healthcare, responsible for laboratory services, prosthetic rehabilitation, digital dental design, and collaboration with dental surgeons in patient care.

While global best practices advocate for a balance between professional input and public accountability in regulatory institutions, the association argued that the proposed amendment threatens this equilibrium.

A key point of contention is the proposal to reduce the number of practicing dental technologists on the board to just one. The ADTN said this would undermine effective oversight and technical decision-making.

“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 group stated.

The association also faulted a provision in the bill that seeks to include six community interest representatives on the board more than the number of professional members. While it supported public involvement in regulation, the ADTN insisted such representation should not outweigh professional expertise in a specialised field.

Concerns were also raised about the absence of clear qualification criteria for the board’s part-time chairman. The association maintained that the leadership of a technical regulatory body should possess demonstrable knowledge of dental technology, health regulation, or related governance.

On funding, the ADTN stressed the need for a clearly defined and sustainable financial structure, suggesting that the board should be funded through government statutory allocations and professional fees, including registration and licence renewals. Adequate funding, it noted, would enable the board to effectively carry out its duties, including accreditation and enforcement of professional standards.

The association further called for a comprehensive restructuring of the regulatory framework to reflect current realities in dental technology practice. It proposed that the board should include at least ten practicing professionals and be chaired by a Dental Technology Officer or Clinical Dental Technology Officer with proven experience. It also recommended reducing community representation to no more than two members to preserve technical competence in decision-making.

Additionally, the ADTN demanded formal representation on the board through its National President and National Secretary, describing this as consistent with international governance practices in professional regulation.

The group firmly rejected any inclusion of dental surgeons on the board, noting that dental technologists are not represented in the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria, which regulates dental surgeons and medical practitioners.

“We therefore categorically reject the representation of any dental surgeon in the Dental Technologists Registration Board of Nigeria,” the statement read.

The association also proposed renaming the board to the Nigerian Council of Dental Technology Professionals (NCDTP), arguing that the current name no longer reflects the expanded scope of the profession. The field now includes Clinical Dental Technology Officers, Dental Technology Officers, Dental Laboratory Technicians, Dental Radiographic Technicians, and Dental Surgery Technicians.

According to the ADTN, a broader regulatory framework would ensure uniform standards, improved training coordination, and stronger oversight across all cadres in the profession.

It urged the National Assembly to suspend the bill’s passage and organise structured consultations with stakeholders before proceeding to a third reading.

“The Association of Dental Technologists of Nigeria remains committed to constructive dialogue and collaboration with the National Assembly and the Federal Ministry of Health in advancing a regulatory framework that strengthens Nigeria’s oral healthcare system,” the statement added.

It warned that any reform must strengthen not weaken the integrity and autonomy of institutions responsible for protecting public health and professional standards.