In celebration of National Dentist Day (March 6, 2025), our correspondent interviewed Dr. Adebayo E. A., one of the leading dentists at the forefront of introducing and mastering innovative dental solutions, as well as providing top-tier dental services in private practice and free dental care in underserved communities across Nigeria.
Medical Mirror (MM) Correspondent: Mary O. Agoyi Awoniyi.
MM: Happy National Dentist Day Sir! Can we meet you?
Thank you! I am Dr. Adebayo Emmanuel Adeolu, the lead dentist and clinical director of POD (PERFECT ODONT DENTAL) clinics, a resourceful dental surgeon (implantologist) with advanced skillset.
MM: Today is about appreciating our dentists. So, we’d like to know, what inspired your choice to become a dentist and what is your motivation to continue in this profession against all odds?
Interestingly, every year I wrote JAMB, I had always filled “Medicine” and “Dentistry” as my 1st and 2nd choice and just switched their position each time I had to write the exam. After taking a detour through my first admission to study Human Anatomy at Ladoke Akintola University of Technology (LAUTECH), I eventually got admission into the prestigious University of Lagos (UNILAG), to study and pursue my career in dentistry. Honestly, I’m glad I chose dentistry because its effects are immediate. Patients feel the transformation almost immediately and it’s lucrative.
My motivation to continue, quite frankly, had always been inherent. Thanks to my parents who instilled the “no quitting” attitude towards any mission in me. Although, the training was very tough, but I was tougher. That upon graduating, I felt like I had significantly suffered to not make the most of the profession. I’m not there yet, but I’m glad to be on the path.
MM: Being a young dental CEO, what inspired you to start your private practice, and how did you go about it?
Young? (laughs). Well, considering the time the profession takes, I could agree with “being young”. The inspiration to start my practice came from the “hunger” and “will” to add more value to the standard of practice we currently have. Dental care isn’t still as accessible as I’d love it to be for Nigerians. We need more dentists, dental healthcare workers and clinics. There’s only so much the government can do to meet these needs, so we have to step up.
MM: Let’s dive into your practice, what’s a typical day in your life as a CEO/MD of your dental clinic?
My life as a CEO is all about balance. I have a lot of workloads, with high demands from patients, the management of clinical, marketing and admin staff, the regulatory bodies for businesses and health facilities, including my family, mentees and those looking up to me. These make me very time conscious, precise, and always finding the balance in managing my professional and personal life. I aim to always attend to as much as I can control without delays, ultimately, God controls all.
MM: How do you measure success in your practice?
Some of the indices I use in measuring our success include: Staff growth (in terms of number and training courses attended for quality), Number of new patients received, Number of returning old patients, Number of referrals, Number of dental treatments done, Number of outreaches and community immersion done, Effectiveness of the social media platforms in educating individuals, and of course, the revenue.
My marketing team and I review these metrics daily, weekly, monthly and yearly, as it must align with the vision and mission of POD clinics.
MM: Can you share a particularly memorable or successful case you’ve worked on and what made it stand out for you?
There are many cases I can’t begin to list them all. I’ve been privileged to witness the positive change in confidence and self-esteem of individuals after treatment. I recall a lady whose husband of 27 years didn’t know she was a denture wearer. After implants, her tears of joy moved me.
I also recall a patient I managed with necrotizing fasciitis of his lower face and neck 6 years ago and till this day, he reaches out to me on his birthdays thanking me and the team for saving his life.
MM: Now to struggles and challenges, what is the most significant challenge you’ve faced in your dental career, and how did you overcome it?
I will highlight some of the challenges and state how we combat them at my practice.
- Limited access to dental care. At POD clinics, we do a minimum of one community immersion for free at areas that do not have access to dental care
- Relatively high cost of treatment. We also made our prices fair and accessible to Nigerians, some patients have questioned our prices to be low, considering our size and location, but our mission is to make dental care accessible to all.
- Shortage of dentists. This is beyond me for now, however all POD staff are well taken care of. The aim is to know the clinic cares for its staff.
- Poor awareness and oral health education. We use our platforms to educate everyone. Although there’s a lot of ground to cover but we’re up to the task.
- Poor integration into general healthcare. Policy makers need to intervene in this regard. We, on our end, also try to set up partnerships with HMOs, retainerships and hospitals to make dental care accessible.
If these are addressed… trust me, it solves 95% of the problems with the profession.
MM: How do you manage stress, burnout, and retention of skilled staff in your practice?
It’s all about balance, even machines are serviced for just doing their jobs. So, as humans we can burnout from just our regular routine.
Personally, I sleep early, work out and take a day off weekly just to play video games and hangout with my wife. Then I take 2 weeks off every quarter to decongest my thoughts and a yearly vacation with my family. Most importantly, I have a positive outlook to life. I believe every experience has to be of value to me.
Regarding retention of skilled staff, it’s important to recognize the distinction between the job offer and the actual job experience. In my practice, we go beyond offering competitive pay by providing opportunities for growth and development. I firmly believe in fostering an environment where staff can grow professionally while working with us, avoiding stagnation. Additionally, we prioritize staff welfare, ensuring they can perform optimally. We invest in their ongoing education, covering licenses, courses, and training in their respective fields. And, of course, we know how to have fun and unwind together when needed.
MM: What do you think is the biggest misconception about being a dentist?
People think dentists only remove teeth. Beyond that, the role of dentists in the community is to make dental care accessible, in a bid of achieving good oral and general health for the population.
MM: What advice would you give to someone considering a career in dentistry?
No path is easy. Studying dentistry in Nigeria isn’t for the weak, most students were best graduating or prefects in secondary schools, at least everyone in class is brilliant. It’s the consistency and tenacity that determines if you’d finish strong. I remember we were 106 in 200 level, and only 32 of us made it to final year. That’s hard… very hard. Just to reiterate, consistency and tenacity are key, because studying dentistry would test every fibre of your being.
MM: How do you stay current with the latest advancements and technologies in dentistry?
This is a lifelong journey, we continue to read, gather newer skills and review already possessed skills. The way the practice is now, is not what it was 20 years ago, and it would only keep changing. That’s why at POD, we train, discuss, gather more skills. Everyone must be hungry for more. To prevent excuses, we pay for trainings for our clinical and admin staff. We also invite specialists to discuss with us at the clinic, from psychologists to life coaches, we continue to do our best.
MM: What do you think is the most important aspect of providing excellent patient care?
The most important aspect is to be able to listen to patients and understand their presenting complaints in a way that feels like they’ve finally met someone who understands them. You must also explain your treatment plan to them, such that they can fact check and explain to anyone else. Other aspects are pain management, infection control and ethics.
MM: What do you think of the state of dentistry (the training and practice) in the nation? Any recommendations?
Dentistry in Nigeria is on the uprise, but there’s still a lot of dentists and dental clinics needed to cater for Nigerians. I’d say currently we are at 10% capacity. There’s growth, but still a lot more to cover. Regarding the training, I’d say it’s of less quality than previous years. There is serious need for immediate intervention by the government in equipping schools for training more dentists.
MM: How do you think dentistry will evolve in the next 5-10 years?
The evolution of dentistry in Nigeria is inevitable. We have more courses and trainings available now than previous years. More clinics are opening everywhere.
There’s advancement of procedures and new techniques are coming up daily. However, we need more personnel to cater to the ever-increasing dental needs of Nigerians.
MM: What do you enjoy most about being a dentist? And if you weren’t a dentist, what would you be doing?
Being a clinician, touching lives and making a difference. Some cry right after a procedure, and it moves me.
MM: If you weren’t a dentist, what would you be doing?
I’d be a dancer (I still am) or a formula 1 car racer (I occasionally participate in some controlled car racing events e.g. BMW club).
MM: Interesting! So, what would you consider your greatest achievement as a dentist?
Greatest achievement? I’d say I haven’t achieved it yet. But so far… opening my clinic and joining the International Team for Implantology (ITI).
MM: What’s the best dental-related joke you’ve heard?
A patient said to me recently, “You put your fingers in my mouth, and I pay you for it”. Laughs.
MM: Finally, what’s your single most important advice for any dentist looking to own a dental practice?
Dear Dentist, the best time to set up was years ago, the second-best time to set up is now. It can be very scary, but it is possible and achievable.
Work within your capacity, start within your means (one chair, 2 chairs or more) and build up from there. Set your goals and have the tenacity to stay true to your vision and mission.
There’d always be challenges, low months, bad days and so on, because it’s not easy running any business at the moment but ultimately, it is rewarding. Most importantly… it’s your path, never compare yours with anyone else’s.
About Dr. Adeolu Emmanuel Adebayo
Dr. Adeolu E. Adebayo is a renowned dentist and implantologist in Nigeria. He earned his Bachelor of Dental Surgery (BDS) degree from the University of Lagos and acquired certifications in Implantology. Dr. Adebayo is a pioneer member of the International Team for Implantology (ITI) in Nigeria and has received local and international recognition for his exceptional skills and dedication to patient care.
He has provided free dental care to underserved communities through numerous medical outreaches. In 2024, Dr. Adebayo founded his state-of-the-art dental clinic in Lekki, Lagos. He is married to Mildred P. Adebayo, the 41st Miss Nigeria, and together they engage in philanthropic activities.
Dr. Adebayo’s career is marked by excellence, compassion, and innovation, redefining oral healthcare in Nigeria and leaving a lasting impact on the lives of those he serves.
