There are only 687 dentists in the Northern part of Nigeria in 2022

Key takeaways:

  • There are 3,112 dentists in Nigeria as of 2022, highlighting the limited availability of dental professionals in a population of over 200 million.
  • The Southwest geopolitical zone has the highest number of dentists, totaling 1,176 (37.8%), indicating a concentration of dental services in this region.
  • Collectively, the North (Northwest, North Central, and Northeast) has only 687 dentists, which is approximately 22% of the total, showcasing significant regional disparities in healthcare access.
  • The Southeast zone has the fewest dentists, with only 141 (4.5%), underlining a shortage of dental professionals in this region.
  • The concentration of dentists in zones like the Southwest likely reflects urbanization trends, leaving rural areas in other regions underserved.

Nigeria had 3,112 dentists in 2022, but the distribution across the country is heavily skewed. The South West accounted for the highest share, hosting 1,176 dentists (37.8%), while the Northern regions collectively had only 687 dentists — just 22% of the total. This significant imbalance highlights the disparities in access to dental care, with underserved populations in the North.

Additionally, 21.8% of the dentists' locations were unspecified, pointing to potential gaps in data reporting and planning.

Source:

Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria

Period:

2022
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