As winter descends on Délı̨nę, a remote Dene community nestled on the shores of Great Bear Lake, the challenges of accessing basic dental care are becoming increasingly dire. With the first snowfall blanketing the region, residents like Betty Tetso find themselves grappling not just with the harsh Arctic climate but also with the stark absence of dental services. The community, a fly-in settlement below the Arctic Circle, has been without a visiting dentist for over three years, leaving its 570 residents to rely on distant clinics more than 500 kilometres away in Yellowknife.
A Family’s Struggle
In her lilac-painted living room, Tetso cradles her five-year-old grandson, Mason, as she worries about his dental health. With no local dentist in sight, she performs regular inspections on his teeth, anxious about a small cavity that could worsen without attention. Her concerns are rooted in a painful experience with another grandson, who required extensive treatment in Edmonton due to untreated cavities. The lack of immediate care has forced families to undertake long journeys for dental procedures, often at great personal cost.
“We have to be vigilant because if we don’t, the situation will only escalate,” Tetso explains. This sentiment resonates throughout the community, where the absence of dental care has turned oral health into a precarious gamble.
The Growing Dental Care Gap
The dental care landscape in the Northwest Territories (NWT) has deteriorated significantly, particularly since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. Prior to the pandemic, dentists regularly visited remote communities, but these visits have largely ceased. Currently, seven of the 32 communities outside Yellowknife have not seen a dental professional in over six years. The closure of regional clinics further exacerbates the issue, as residents now face exorbitant travel costs to seek care in Yellowknife, with flights costing around £1,610 for a round trip.
Dr. Hassan Adam, a veteran dentist who has witnessed the decline, notes that many local residents are left with no options. “They’re really asking too much out of a dentist,” he states, referring to the inadequate infrastructure and equipment that hinder service delivery. The consequences of this neglect are severe, with many children experiencing rampant decay that could have been prevented with timely care.
A System Under Strain
The federal government’s Indigenous Services Canada (ISC) has reported spending £8.6 million on dental travel for NWT residents in the fiscal year ending in 2025, marking a tenfold increase in just six years. Yet, despite this investment, the lack of infrastructure and inadequate funding for dental services continues to leave communities in limbo. The last agreement for dental services expired over a year ago, leading to disputes between federal and territorial governments over who bears responsibility for funding.
Dr. Julie Grondin, who has worked in both northern Canada and abroad, describes the current state of dental services as akin to the conditions faced during humanitarian missions. “In Canada, we should not be facing these levels of neglect,” she asserts, highlighting the disparity between urban and rural health care access.
Stories of Desperation
Residents of Délı̨nę and nearby Tulita have shared harrowing accounts of their struggles with dental health. One resident, Tim Tutcho, has been living with untreated dental pain for months, unable to take time off work as a father to seek care. His experience is not unique; many in the community report similar challenges, with some resorting to extreme measures, like self-extraction, due to the absence of available services.
Samantha Bayha, Tulita’s senior administrative officer, underscores the community’s plight, stating that untreated dental issues can escalate into severe health problems. “It’s heartbreaking to see the pain people endure while waiting for care,” she laments.
Why It Matters
The crisis in dental care access in the Northwest Territories reflects a broader systemic issue affecting Indigenous communities across Canada. The failure to provide equitable health services not only jeopardises individual well-being but also perpetuates cycles of poverty and health disparities. As communities like Délı̨nę continue to suffer without adequate dental care, the need for immediate action becomes increasingly urgent. The federal and territorial governments must collaborate to ensure that Indigenous peoples receive the essential services they are entitled to, fostering a health system that respects their rights and dignity.
