DENTAL ENTREPRENEURIAL EDUCATION IN NIGERIA

Abstract

Entrepreneurship has become an essential component of university education in Nigeria, aimed at addressing the high rates of unemployment and under-employment among graduates. In dentistry, entrepreneurial education is particularly relevant due to the expanding global dental industry, estimated to reach $65 billion by 2029, and the increasing need for innovative solutions in oral health care delivery. This paper highlights the integration of entrepreneurship into the undergraduate dental curriculum at Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, with four structured modules: the dental industry, value chains in dentistry, entrepreneurial competencies, and the dental business.

The paper emphasizes the vast opportunities within the Nigerian dental industry, including private practice, research, social media campaigns, and community outreach, while acknowledging the challenges of limited awareness, poor insurance coverage, and workforce migration. Central to this approach is the development of entrepreneurial competencies such as creativity, self-efficacy, proactivity, resilience, and leadership, which are necessary for building sustainable dental businesses and fostering innovation. By equipping dental students with these skills, the program seeks to produce employment-generating graduates who can contribute to economic growth, expand access to oral health care, and strengthen the resilience of the dental profession in Nigeria.