**
As winter blankets the Northwest Territories, remote communities like Délı̨nę are grappling with a stark reality: a growing dental care crisis that has left residents without essential services for years. Located on the shores of Great Bear Lake, Délı̨nę’s isolation is compounded by its lack of dental professionals, forcing families to travel hundreds of kilometres for treatment, often with no guarantee of timely care. As the community struggles to cope with this profound deficiency, the implications for health and well-being are profound.
A Community in Need
In the comfort of her home, Betty Tetso cradles her five-year-old grandson, Mason, as the first snowfall of the season drifts outside. With a view of the expansive lake, Tetso’s nurturing extends beyond playtime; she is Mason’s primary caregiver, responsible for his meals, education, and health—especially his dental health. Unfortunately, Délı̨nę lacks a dentist, with the nearest clinic situated over 500 kilometres away in Yellowknife.
The absence of dental professionals has plagued the community for more than three years, creating alarming health risks. Tetso recalls the painful ordeal of taking another grandson to Edmonton for dental treatment after his cavities worsened. Now, with Mason exhibiting early signs of decay, the urgency of dental care weighs heavily on her. “He has to be checked because the cavity’s going to get bigger,” she expresses, a sentiment echoed by many concerned guardians across the region.
A Broken System
The situation in Délı̨nę reflects a broader crisis affecting Indigenous communities throughout the Northwest Territories. While Canadians in urban centres can easily access dental care, this is not the case for those in remote areas. The COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated the issue, halting regular dental visits and leaving seven communities without a dentist for six years or more.
Historically, residents could rely on winter roads to access dental services, but the closure of regional clinics has left them with few options. Residents frequently endure lengthy travel times and complex approval processes for federal funding to seek care. The burden of long-distance travel falls disproportionately on vulnerable populations, including elders and single parents, who may lack the resources or time to make such journeys.
The Invisible Toll of Neglect
A recent investigation highlighted the desperate situations faced by individuals in the Northwest Territories. In a heart-wrenching account, a man from Tuktoyaktuk resorted to extracting his tooth with a multitool due to inaccessibility, while in Tulita, a mother was forced to make three trips to Yellowknife for her ailing daughter’s dental abscess. The narrative of neglect extends beyond mere inconvenience; it encompasses the deterioration of oral health and the ripple effects on overall well-being.
Dr. Hassan Adam, a veteran dentist in Yellowknife, has witnessed the escalating oral health crisis first-hand. He notes that prior to colonisation, Indigenous communities exhibited strong oral health. However, contemporary diets and systemic neglect have led to alarming rates of dental disease among children. “Kids – young kids – had no teeth, or teeth with lots of cavities,” he laments, attributing this deterioration to a failure of the federal government to uphold its health care obligations as stipulated in Treaty rights.
A Call to Action
Recent statistics reveal that Indigenous Services Canada allocated $11.1 million for dental travel in the Northwest Territories during the 2024 fiscal year, an astonishing increase from previous years. Yet, the challenges remain overwhelming. The non-insured health benefits (NIHB) programme, designed to assist Indigenous peoples in accessing health care, has faced criticism for its bureaucratic barriers and insufficient funding.
The current funding agreement for dental care expired a year ago, leaving many communities without essential services. Meanwhile, the NWT government is grappling with the fallout. Local leaders express frustration, with Michael Miltenberger, a resident of Délı̨nę, stating, “We are dental orphans.” The lack of infrastructure and ongoing underfunding puts dental care further out of reach for those who need it most.
Why it Matters
The dental care crisis in the Northwest Territories is not merely a logistical issue; it poses serious implications for health equity and the well-being of Indigenous populations. The absence of adequate dental care can lead to devastating health outcomes, including chronic pain, systemic health issues, and mental health challenges. As communities like Délı̨nę continue to grapple with these challenges, it is essential for both federal and territorial governments to prioritise the restoration of dental services and address the systemic barriers that have led to this crisis. Only through concerted action can the cycle of neglect be broken, ensuring that all Canadians, regardless of where they live, have access to the health care they deserve.
