As the first snow blankets the Dene village of Délı̨nę, nestled along the shores of Great Bear Lake, the community grapples with a pressing issue: the lack of accessible dental care. Situated just below the Arctic Circle, Délı̨nę is the sole settlement on one of the largest lakes globally, yet its residents are forced to navigate a daunting landscape of dental neglect, exacerbated by the fallout from the COVID-19 pandemic. With the nearest dental clinic over 500 kilometres away in Yellowknife, the struggle for oral health has reached a critical point for many families, including that of Betty Tetso, who bears the burden of care for her young grandson, Mason.
A Community in Need
In her lilac-painted living room, Tetso cradles her five-year-old grandson, who is perched on her lap, his damp gloves draped beside the warmth of the woodstove. As his primary caregiver, Tetso ensures Mason attends kindergarten, prepares his meals, and tucks him in at night. Yet, a grim reality looms over her household: there has been no dentist in Délı̨nę for more than three years, forcing Tetso to become vigilant about Mason’s dental health. She recalls the painful experience of having to take her older grandson to Edmonton for dental treatment due to severe cavities—a trek that no family should have to endure.
“If he doesn’t get checked, that small cavity will only get bigger,” Tetso worries, highlighting the desperate need for regular dental care in their remote community. The absence of dental professionals has left families at the mercy of a broken system.
A Broken System
The plight of Délı̨nę is not unique; it mirrors the struggles faced by numerous Indigenous communities across the Northwest Territories. For decades, access to dental services has been sporadic, but the situation has significantly deteriorated since the onset of the pandemic. Prior to COVID-19, dental teams occasionally visited these communities, but the cessation of these visits has left many without essential care.
An investigation into the dental care system in the Northwest Territories revealed alarming statistics: seven communities outside Yellowknife have not seen a dentist in over six years. With only one regional clinic still operational, many residents face an arduous journey of hundreds of kilometres for treatment, often waiting for federal travel funding approval. This bureaucratic hurdle is insurmountable for many, particularly for elders and single parents who cannot afford the time or resources to travel.
Health Consequences
The ramifications of this dental crisis extend beyond immediate discomfort. Oral health is intrinsically linked to overall health; untreated dental issues can lead to severe health complications, including diabetes, heart disease, and respiratory infections. Dr. Hasnain R. Dewji, a paediatric dentist from British Columbia, emphasises the dire consequences of delayed treatment. During his visits to Yellowknife, he has witnessed firsthand the toll that lack of access takes on children’s health, noting that what once could have been a simple filling often escalates into nerve treatments and extractions.
“Decay spreads,” he explains, lamenting that cases that could have been preventable are now resulting in significant loss of teeth. The situation is particularly distressing for children, whose ability to learn and thrive is hindered by untreated oral health issues.
Government Inaction
Despite the federal government’s commitment to improving oral health services for Indigenous populations, progress remains stagnant. The last funding agreement aimed at providing dental care to First Nations and Inuit in the Northwest Territories expired over a year ago, leaving communities in limbo as negotiations between territorial and federal governments drag on. Indigenous Services Canada reported a staggering increase in spending on dental travel, with costs reaching $11.1 million for the 2024-25 fiscal year—up nearly tenfold from six years ago.
The failure to address these gaps has led to a crisis of access. In Délı̨nę, residents report going years without regular check-ups, which has profound implications for their health. Community leader Michael Miltenberger encapsulates the sentiment felt by many: “We are dental orphans.”
Why it Matters
The dental crisis in the Northwest Territories serves as a stark reminder of the systemic inequalities faced by Indigenous communities in Canada. Access to basic health care, particularly dental services, should not be a privilege reserved for those who live in urban centres. The failure to provide adequate care not only exacerbates health disparities but also perpetuates cycles of poverty and suffering within these communities. As conversations continue between governments regarding funding and resources, the urgency for a sustainable solution grows. Until then, the residents of Délı̨nę and similar communities are left grappling with the painful consequences of neglect, highlighting a pressing need for genuine commitment to equitable health care for all Canadians.
