Continuing Professional Development Needs of Dental Therapists in Oral Surgical Skill Enhancement in Rivers State

Dental therapists play an essential role in Nigeria's dental workforce, particularly in public health settings where dentist-to-population ratios remain critically low. Their scope of practice includes basic surgical dental procedures such as simple extractions, and the quality of these interventions is influenced by their exposure to continuing professional development (CPD) opportunities. This descriptive cross-sectional study identifies the CPD needs and experiences of dental therapists in oral surgical skill enhancement in Rivers State, South South Nigeria. Using a structured self-administered questionnaire, 88 registered dental therapists were surveyed on their current competency levels, types of surgical procedures performed, barriers to CPD participation, and preferred learning modalities. Results indicate that 71% of respondents reported low confidence in managing extraction complications, and only 38% had attended any CPD activity related to oral surgery in the preceding 24 months. Cost, travel distance to training venues, and absence of institutional support were the primary barriers to CPD participation. Preference for practical workshop-based learning and short simulation courses was expressed by the majority. The study reveals significant CPD gaps in surgical skill maintenance among dental therapists in Rivers State and recommends the development of a structured CPD framework for dental therapy professionals in Nigeria, incorporating accessible regional training hubs and online learning components. Keywords: dental therapists, CPD, oral surgery skills, Rivers State, professional development.