The closure of the only dental clinic in Inuvik has seriously affected the oral health of residents. Since April this year, many Inuvik residents have had to fly to Yellowknife for dental treatment, resulting in a sharp increase in appointment pressure for at least four local clinics.
For a long time, Western Arctic Dental Group has been the only dental clinic in Inuvik, and occasionally dentists from the south come to support. But now, residents report that the town has no dentist for longer and longer periods of time, and Western Arctic Dental Group has not responded to the closure of the clinic.
Inuvik Twin Lakes MP Lesa Semler said in the Northwest Territories Legislature that dental preventive services in the Northwest Territories were insufficient before the COVID-19 pandemic, and after the outbreak, many communities were in a dilemma of no dental services. She stressed that the government must take more effective measures, especially to protect dental services for children and adolescents.
Matthew Gooch, a spokesman for the Canadian Department of Indigenous Services, confirmed that the temporary closure of the Western Arctic Dental Group had been notified in April, resulting in Inuvik currently having no dental clinic. The Department of Indigenous Services therefore bears the cost of transportation for patients to the nearest medical point (mainly Yellowknife).
However, due to the influx of patients from Inuvik, Yellowknife’s dental clinics have been fully booked until July and August. Junna Gesmundo, office manager of Frame Lake Family Dental, said that although they are willing to help, it is difficult to ensure timely treatment for patients in the face of long waiting times.
Julie Green, Minister of Health of the Northwest Territories, also admitted that it is difficult to recruit dentists and dental hygienists. She revealed that the recruitment proposal issued in March did not receive a response, resulting in a serious shortage of dental services. Green admitted that although relying on medical travel affects preventive care, there is no choice in the case of insufficient staff.
In addition, Gesmundo pointed out that the problem is not only the lack of dentists, but also the poor communication between the health department and the clinic has exacerbated the difficulties. Referral information often lacks key treaty numbers or contact information, which leads to obstacles in arranging appointments and further delays in patient treatment.
The experience of Inuvik resident Mabel Laney reflects the plight of local dental services. Her two children suffered from severe toothache and tooth decay infection, but multiple attempts to make an appointment at the Inuvik clinic failed, and they finally had to fly to Yellowknife for treatment. Although the emergency department found her son’s condition was serious, treatment was delayed for weeks.
Lenny said dental care in the North is particularly important for residents, as healthy eating is difficult due to the high cost of living and limited food choices. Her son could only eat soft food due to toothache, and even considered whether to continue living in Inuvik.
She said helplessly: “It’s really heartbreaking to see the children in pain but can’t do anything. We can only wait, and no one knows how long this situation will last.”