2026 World Orthodontic Health Day: Beyond Straight Teeth - A Professor's Searchlight

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Emmanuel Olubusayo Ajayi, a Professor, leading Consultant orthodontist and pioneer Nigerian Fellow of the World Federation of Orthodontists (WFO) has raised awareness on the broader impact of orthodontic care, and stated that orthodontic care can influence how people chew, breathe, speak, and smile, while also supporting their oral health, facial balance, confidence and long-term quality of life.

The World Orthodontic Health Day led by the World Federation of Orthodontists provides the perfect opportunity to raise public consciousness and educate the citizens about how Orthodontics, a sub-specialty of Dentistry does more than just the straightening of teeth but also offer other utmost benefits that patients gained from their orthodontic treatment says Ajayi.

This year’s World Orthodontic Health Day (WOHD) theme, “Beyond Straight Teeth” emphasises that orthodontic treatment with fixed appliances which includes braces, removable appliances, aligners and other mechanotherapies is not merely cosmetic but underscores the potential impact of orthodontic treatment when received by patients. 

"Orthodontic problems which are prevalent in our society do constitute a great concern as the inability to chew one’s food without difficulties, breathe normally, communicate orally and pronounce words correctly and smile without pleasing facial appearance will definitely impart productive social interactions, self-esteem, overall health and well-being of individuals."  

Ajayi, therefore advised the populace to embrace the life-changing benefits of orthodontic care and uptake orthodontic care from 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 in Orthodontics at the University Teaching Hospital.

Ajayi further stated that research has shown that a well aligned teethis a determining factor in the overall facial aesthetics of an individual and is linked to an enhanced oral function, and as such orthodontic care when embraced will improve facial appearance and balance, confidence, oral health and quality of life of all Nigerians.

Prof Emmanuel Olubusayo Ajayi is a Professor of Orthodontics at the University of Benin, Benin City and also the Chairman of Professor Emmanuel Olubusayo Ajayi Orthodontics Advancement Foundation. He 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 raise awareness and educate the community on the far-reaching benefits of specialist orthodontic care