Professor of Paediatric Dentistry at the College of Medicine, University of Lagos (CMUL), Prof. Omolola Olubunmi Orenuga has highlighted the powerful link between maternal and foetal oral health.
She illuminated the connection between maternal oral health and development of the unborn child’s teeth and overall well-being, while delivering the 22nd Inaugural Lecture of the 2024/2025 academic session. The Inaugural Lecture titled: The Paediatric Dentist: Building Healthy Smiles from the Womb was held on Wednesday, August 10, 2025 at the Tayo Aderinokun Lecture Theatre, UNILAG.
The event was chaired by the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academics & Research), Professor Bola Oboh and well-attended by the University Management team and other members of the university community as well as the inaugural lecturer’s family, friends, colleagues, students, mentors, and mentees.
Prof. Orenuga disclosed that one of her research works revealed that cariogenic bacteria which are responsible for tooth decay can be transmitted from mother to child within the first six months of life. According to her, the prenatal period is when the groundwork for a child’s future oral health is established.
She further highlighted a concerning gap in maternal knowledge regarding primary teeth and the risk factors for major oral diseases such as dental caries and periodontal disease.
While encouraging pregnant women to take care of their oral health due to its impact on the development of their unborn children’s teeth, the Professor of Paediatric Dentistry underscored the vital role of paediatric dentists in fostering oral health from the earliest stages of life – beginning in pregnancy.
In the course of delivering her lecture, Prof. Orenuga shared a compelling narrative of her over thirty-two (32) year professional journey into Dentistry, with a special focus on Paediatric Dentistry. She showcased the multifaceted role of paediatric dentists in the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of dental issues in children, as well as the depth and compassion required in the field. educating families about proper oral hygiene.
About Professor Omolola Olubunmi Orenuga
Professor Omolola Olubunmi Orenuga (nee Adeniji) was born on May 4, 1959 at Lagos Island, Lagos State. She attended St. Mary’s Private School, Lagos and Queen’s College, Yaba. Therafter, she earned a Bachelor of Dental Surgery from the University of Lagos in 1983, graduating as the Best Student in Restorative Dentistry and receiving the Elijah Henshaw Prize. She did her residency training in Paediatric Dentistry at the Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH) from 1988 to 1993. In 1993, she became a fellow of the National Postgraduate Medical College of Nigeria.
Having a keen interest in Public Health and Clinical Research, she joined the services of the University of Lagos as a Lecturer I in 1994 and rose to become professor in 2020. She is an Honorary Consultant Paediatric Dentist at LUTH, Coordinator of Clinical Dental Services-LUTH, and Paediatric Dentistry Lead of the LUTH Orofacial Cleft Team. Her research interests are in Oral and Dental Anomalies: cleft lip and cleft palate, Dental Caries in Nigerian Children, Dental Education & Research and Paediatric Oral Health Care.
Professor Orenuga is the Co-Chairperson, UNILAG Global Engagement and Internalisation, and immediate past Chairman of Scientific Conferences, Faculty of Dental Sciences, a program she initiated in 2007 to improve faculty research base, internally generated revenue and strengthen alumni engagement in development of the faculty.
She is a member of the Editorial Boards of University of Lagos Journal of Dental Sciences (2017 to date); Journal of Paediatric Dentistry Research and Practice (2019 to date); and Nigerian Dental Journal (2006-2014 and 2022).
Outside the University, the Professor of Paediatric Dentistry has served as reviewer of several reputable journals such as the Nigerian Quarterly Journal of Hospital Medicine, International Journal of Paediatric Dentistry, West African Journal of Medicine to mention a few.
She is the current Vice-Chairman of College of Medicine UNILAG Alumni Association (2016 till date) and a member of international bodies including International Association of Paediatric Dentistry; Federation Dental Internationale (FDI); Association of Clinical Research Professionals, Canada; and The Clinical Research Association of Canada.
She has won several grants and awards including the United States National Institute of Health Grant on Developing Innovative Interdisciplinary Biomedical Engineering Programs in Africa; Government of Netherlands Grant on New Concepts in Dental Education and Public Oral Health; Smile Train Grant Oral Health in Comprehensive Cleft Care: Capacity Building Workshop for the Cleft Team, Stakeholders and Caregivers; Smile Train Grant for Oral Health Promotion and Prevention (STOP) Program; and Transforming Cleft Travel Grant for Cleft Japan.
Professor Orenuga is married to Engineer Yomi Orenuga, and the union is blessed with children and grandchildren.
Author: Ndidi J. Odinikaeze
Editor: Adejoke Alaga-Ibraheem
Photographer: Ayo Oloyede
