During the 2nd Annual Scientific Congress of the International Association for Dental Research (Nigeria Section) on Sept. 3, 2003, in Benin City, an inaugural meeting was held for the women in dentistry in Nigeria. Issues concerning dental practice and women in Nigeria were discussed.
The need to have a working group to address these issues became urgent. It was unanimously decided that women in dentistry in Nigeria should be a working group with the IADR Nigeria Section until the constitution is written and adopted.
In attendance at the meeting were 20 women dentists from all over Nigeria. They represented different specialties including dental health education and dental nurses.
Women were encouraged to hold regular meetings in their various centers to facilitate national coordination of the body. They are currently working on the constitution. A copy of the AAWD bylaws was sent to Dr. Alice Umweni of the University of Benin to assist in the development of the Nigerian women dentists' constitution. We encourage and congratulate our colleagues in Nigeria and cheer them on as they form their own necessary and awaited, formal women in dentistry group.
