Healthsoothe is building a network of registered doctors and dentists who answer patient questions online. If you hold a current MDCN licence and want to advise patients in Nigeria, and Nigerians living abroad, you can apply on this page. The form takes about five minutes.
What you will do as a consulting doctor or dentist
Our readers come to Healthsoothe with real problems: a toothache that will not settle, a swollen gum, a question after an extraction, a medicine they are unsure about, or a bill they cannot make sense of. As a consulting doctor or dentist you will:
- Listen to the patient and ask what you need to know before you advise.
- Give clear, practical guidance in plain language.
- Say plainly when a physical examination, an X-ray or an emergency visit is needed.
- Help patients understand their options and the usual cost of treatment in Nigeria.
- Refer patients to a clinic or hospital when online advice is not enough.
Who can apply
You can apply if you meet all of these:
- You are a doctor or dentist registered with the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria (MDCN) and you hold a current practising licence.
- You can give your MDCN registration number and licence number so we can verify them.
- You have clinical experience you can describe, including your years of practice and your place of work.
- You use WhatsApp and have a reliable internet connection.
- You are willing to follow our standards on safety, accuracy and patient privacy.
Apply to become a consulting doctor or dentist
Fill in the form below. Only your name, email and WhatsApp number are required, but a complete application is easier to review. You do not need to upload any documents now.
Apply to join the Healthsoothe expert network. Fields marked * are required. Everything else is optional, and you can type your answers freely.
Thank you, your application has been received
We will review it and contact you on WhatsApp or by email.
Online consultations in Nigeria: what patients need from doctors and dentists
People in Nigeria already search the internet for answers before they visit a clinic. They type in a symptom, a drug name or the price of a procedure and read whatever comes up. Some of that information is good and much of it is not. A short conversation with a licensed professional gives the patient something a search result cannot: advice that fits their situation, and an honest view on whether they need to be seen in person.
Cost, distance, traffic and long waiting times push many patients to delay care. An online consultation does not replace the clinic, but it helps a patient decide what to do next and how soon.
What an online consultation can do
- Sort out how urgent a problem is and what the patient should do first.
- Explain a diagnosis the patient has already received.
- Guide aftercare following an extraction, filling, root canal or scaling.
- Counsel on medicines within your scope of practice.
- Help the patient understand a treatment plan their own dentist or doctor has proposed.
- Point the patient to the right type of specialist.
What it cannot do
It cannot replace a physical examination, an X-ray, a laboratory test or emergency treatment. Chest pain, swelling that affects breathing or swallowing, heavy bleeding, and a high fever with severe pain all need urgent care in person. A good consulting doctor or dentist says so clearly and early.
Standards we ask you to follow
- Stay within your scope of practice and the rules of your regulator.
- Keep patient information confidential and follow the Nigeria Data Protection Act 2023.
- Do not promise cures or results.
- Disclose any financial interest if you mention a product, brand or clinic.
- Keep a record of the advice you give.
- Send emergencies to the nearest hospital.
Legal guides report that the MDCN Code of Medical Ethics recognises telemedicine as a developing form of medical practice, that Nigeria has no special licensing regime for telemedicine platforms, and that Nigerian practitioners who work on a telemedicine platform must be registered with the MDCN. In practice, your MDCN registration and the Code still govern how you advise patients online. If you practise outside Nigeria, confirm with the MDCN what applies to you before you apply.
Languages and the patients we serve
Most of our readers are in Nigeria, with others in the Nigerian diaspora and elsewhere. If you can consult in Yoruba, Hausa, Igbo or Pidgin as well as English, say so in the form.
Related reading from Healthsoothe
- 77 Best Dental Clinics in Nigeria
- Cost of Dental Braces in Nigeria
- How to Save Money on Your Dental Care
- Tooth Pain After a Filling: 6 Ways to Manage the Pain
- Antibiotics for Toothache: Options and Advice
Frequently asked questions
Do I need to be registered in Nigeria?
Yes. If you advise patients in Nigeria you should hold a current MDCN registration and practising licence. We verify the numbers you give us.
Can I prescribe through Healthsoothe?
Whether consultations include prescriptions depends on the service model and on your regulator's rules. We will agree this with you before you start. Until then, assume you are giving advice and guidance only.
How much will I earn?
We do not publish earnings on this page. How consultations are scheduled and paid for is explained to shortlisted applicants before they commit.
How long does the review take?
We review applications as they arrive and contact shortlisted applicants by WhatsApp or email.
How is my information used?
We use your details only to assess your application and to contact you. Read our Privacy Policy for the full terms.
Sources and how this page was put together
This page draws on our own editorial standards and on a published legal guide to digital health in Nigeria. It is general information and not legal advice. Check the current rules with your regulator before you start.
Looking for another role?
Become a consulting pharmacist or Become a consulting dental nurse.