*Prof Ajayi
The pioneer Nigerian Fellow of the World Federation of Orthodontists (WFO) has advocated that people should embrace the benefits of straighter, healthy teeth and confident smiles by learning about the life-changing benefits of orthodontic care.
Prof Emmanuel Olubusayo Ajayi, who is also a leading Nigerian Consultant orthodontist and Professor of Orthodontics at the University of Benin, Benin City also on the need to partake in the orthodontic treatment that are being provided by the Consultant Orthodontists in our various Dental facilities throughout the federation.
Prof Ajayi spoke on the occasion of celebration of 2025 World Orthodontic Health Day on Thursday 15th of May with the theme “A World of Smiles.”
According to him, research has shown that the mouth is the most assertive facial feature and the dental appearance is a determining factor in the overall facial aesthetics of an individual.
He further stated that research continues to show that well-aligned teeth are linked to enhanced oral function, improved self-esteem, and a lower risk of developing certain dental or jaw-related problems.
This year’s World Orthodontic Health Day (WOHD) theme, “A World of Smiles” emphasizes how orthodontic treatment can transform not just oral health but also self-esteem and overall health and well-being of individuals.
The World Orthodontic Health Day provides the perfect opportunity to raise awareness about how orthodontics, a sub-specialty of Dentistry, does more than just the straightening of teeth with fixed appliances which includes braces, removable appliances and aligners but also to emphasize the utmost benefits the patients gained from their beautiful and confident smiles says Prof Ajayi.
“Orthodontic problems are of public health importance and do constitute a great concern as the inability to chew one’s food without difficulties, communicate orally and pronounce words correctly, breathe normally and smile without pleasing facial appearance will definitely impart productive social interactions and quality of life of individuals,the said. “It is therefore obvious that one cannot be truly healthy without good oral health and smiles.”
Prof Ajayi emphasized that irregularly arranged teeth, crooked teeth, crowded, misplaced, unerupted or blocked-out teeth, spacing of teeth, protruding teeth, upper or lower jaws that are too far forward or back, upper and lower teeth that do not meet in front or back with gap in-between them or teeth which are abnormally related and oral habits amongst other myriads of occlusal anomalies can be treated by a Specialist / Consultant Orthodontist who are primarily Dental Surgeons but who had undergone at least 3 – 6 years of Post-graduate Master programme and or Residency training at the University Teaching Hospital.
Prof Ajayi further emphasized that a well aligned teeth and beautiful smile will enhance oral function, boost confidence, transform lives, support a positive self-image and contribute to a better quality of life of all Nigerians.
Prof Ajayi, who is also the Chairman of Professor Emmanuel Olubusayo Ajayi Orthodontics Advancement Foundation, is committed to improving the lives of children, teenagers, and adults through state-of-the-art orthodontic treatment and upholds the highest standards of care, and strives to educate the community on the far-reaching benefits of a healthy smile.
