5 min read

3 Minutes with Adekemi Adeniyan, Founder of DentalCare Foundation

August 28, 2024

3 Minutes with Adekemi Adeniyan, Founder of DentalCare Foundation

Dr Adekemi Adeniyan is a dentist and the founder of DentalCare Foundation, a non-profit organization which promotes oral health equity in under-served communities, based in Ado Ekiti, Nigeria. Adekemi is passionate about shaping the future of oral health and advancing health equity in under-served communities.

She’s a graduate of Bachelor of Dental Surgery from Ternopil National Medical University, Ukraine. She also hold a Masters degree in Medical Leadership from Lancaster University, United Kingdom. Dr Adekemi is a Senior New Voices Fellow at the Aspen Institute and a Senior Atlantic Fellow for Health Equity at George Washington University.

She is an Alumna of the Young African Leaders Initiative RLC, West Africa. An associate fellow of the Royal Commonwealth Society, United Kingdom. Dr Adekemi is the 2019 winner of the Nigerian Her Network “Woman of the Year” award for Healthcare and was listed among the 2020 Leading Ladies Africa “100 most inspiring women in Nigeria.”.

Dr Adekemi Adeniyan is the author of the first oral health story book in Nigeria “The Girl Who Found Her Smile” and producer of the Oral Health Animation Series “Anita Says”

Before you read, read part one of this interview with Dr. Adekemi, founder of DentalCare.

What’s the African country you love to visit this year and why?

I think the African country I like to visit is Tanzania. I’ve always loved Tanzania and I think it’s because of the whole nature thing that I’ve heard of. There’s a way Tanzania has been presented as a tourist country I really want to and also because I’ve met a few Tanzanians and they have a very lovely spirit and it’s just a country I would love to explore.

What’s the most underrated Nigerian food?

Underrated Nigerian food.I think it is garri. Like in the Southwest, you go to a wedding, you see amala, you see pounded jam. I’m like, where is the garri? Where’s the eba? It’s missing, like it’s so underrated. So I feel it’s underrated and it’s amazing.

How do you look after yourself in your free time?

I love a lot of music. So most times music is a way I do self-care. So I plug my ears, music and of course because of my faith, I’m a Christian and most times I just read Christian books and you know I love to read generally. Children’s book, Christian book. So that’s my own way of you know just taking care of myself. And of course, I’m in a place where my friends are not really located. So if I am where my friends are, I really like to spend time with my friends also.

What has been the most humbling moment in your journey as a non-profit entrepreneur?

I’m trying to look back at it. But I think the moment for me is when I realized there was a time that I had so many volunteers. And should I say that I really didn’t pay attention to the gifts that I had around me in terms of volunteering. And when they began to leave, there was a time that we had a project and we had very few hands. I realized the power of teamwork.

And I was like, you’ve really not been taking care of, what I mean taking care, it doesn’t have to do with money, but realize that you’ve really not been appreciating the effort of people and understanding that this journey is not something I can travel alone. It’s not something I can travel alone. So when I get the time now, I’m always appreciating those that work for me. Like they are the dearest people to my heart because I understand that without them, this work is impossible.

What is your favourite sports?

I used to like basketball because I loved basketball when I was in secondary school. But I don’t play it much now. But I still really really do love basketball. Like I do love basketball. I watch football. But once in a while, I’m not saying I love it. I don’t say I love the thrill of watching football or the excitement of watching what happens with football. But in terms of something that I love to get engaged in, it’s definitely basketball.

Who’s your favourite basketball player?

Sincerely, I just love basketball. I’m not even sure I know names. This question is beginning to make me question whether I love basketball or not.

What’s one thing you would love people to know about you?

One thing I love people to know about me is the fact that I love music. I love to play the guitar. I think really people don’t see that part of me. Most people that meet me, they just see this woman, whatever part of me and everything, but I really love music. I love to play the guitar. I love languages.

I love to learn languages. I’m open to diversity and culture so I’m a very very free person and I think one of the things I want people to just know about me is that I’m very down to earth even though I’m a very introverted person. Most people don’t know that I am a very very introverted person I can stay in my house all week and not step out and I’m not feeling like I’m missing out on anything.