Indigenous leaders in the North press governments to restore, improve dental care access

Open this photo in gallery:Dene National Chief George Mackenzie, shown in 2024, said children in particular face challenges in their education due to dental pain.Spencer Colby/The Canadian PressShareSave for laterPlease log in to bookmark this story.Log InCreate Free AccountLeaders of two prominent Indigenous organizations in the Northwest Territories are urging the federal and territorial governments to restore and bolster dental care, an essential service that has become far less accessible for people in remote communities in recent years. Dene National Chief George Mackenzie said in an interview that many of the people he represents are suffering from untreated dental issues, leading to chronic pain, infection and loss of productivity.“Children in particular face challenges in their education due to dental pain, and overall community health indicators have deteriorated,” said Mr. Mackenzie, who is also the Northwest Territories Regional Chief for the Assembly of First Nations.“We are calling for immediate action from the federal government and the territorial government to improve access to dental care.”His comments follow a Globe and Mail story last month that documented an erosion of dental-care access in the territory. Seven remote communities of the 32 outside of Yellowknife have not had a dentist visit in six years or more. Another seven haven’t had an in-community dental clinic in more than two years. Residents in fly-in communities are having to travel thousands of kilometres for appointments. Others, particularly elders or parents with child-care pressures, can’t travel and have gone for years without access.Dental-care delivery in North needs overhaul, Canadian Dental Association CEO saysBefore the pandemic, most of the 23,000 residents outside of the territory’s capital had some access to care closer to home. In recent years, however, dentists, who used to visit communities on a regular basis, have stopped bidding on contracts. And clinics that once operated in regional hubs – such as in Norman Wells and Inuvik – have closed. Erwin Elias, the leader of an Inuvik-based organization that represents about 7,500 Inuvialuit (the Inuit of the Western Arctic), said the impacts from a lack of access to dental care are affecting people’s overall well-being and trust in the health system. “Access to dental care remains a significant challenge for Inuvialuit, particularly in remote communities where service is not provided and is dependent on independent providers,” Mr. Elias, chair and chief executive officer of the Inuvialuit Regional Corp. (IRC), said in an e-mailed statement. Gaps in local service, he said, can create barriers related to continuity of care and trust.IRC said in a statement that its staff member who helps people navigate the health care system regularly hears concerns from people requiring denture care, “including teeth being removed and dentures fitted during a single medical travel visit, with limited opportunity for healing time or follow‑up adjustments.”Federal funding for tuberculosis fight in the North remains uncertain, Inuit leader saysGovernments have been wrangling over responsibilities in dental care. The federal government, under its non-insured health benefits (NIHB) program, provides dental coverage for eligible First Nations and Inuit clients. This includes paying dental providers for services during community visits, and covering travel costs for those who need treatment. The territory co-ordinates…

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