Dental clinic cuts waiting time

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A trip to the dentist recently became a lot easier for the 500 First Nations people in Skidegate, Haida Gwaii. With a newly built two-chair dental clinic, residents are no longer required to commute long distances to the dentist.

The partnering of the University of British Columbia's faculty of dentistry and Health Canada has not only brought dental care closer to home, but will help train dental residents. The clinic is the first of its kind in the province, and one of only a handful in Canada.

Dr. Jim Rogers, Health Canada's dental officer for the Pacific region, said, "There was a concern about First Nations people getting dental service in that area and there was investigation into how the service could be provided."

He said that in March of 2000, Health Canada approached the university about developing a service in the Queen Charlotte Islands because of the problems obtaining dental services in the area.

Less than two years later, the clinic was built onto the Skidegate Health Centre and patients started coming in. Rogers said, "It's a very modern facility-it has anything you would find in any highly populated urban area in B.C."

Kerry Dixon is the clinic's dental assistant. "Actually I'm the only one who is here all the time, so I'm the office manager, receptionist and dental hygienist," said Dixon. "It's going really well. We're extremely booked up already-until the end of June."

She explained that since the opening of the clinic on Feb. 25, residents have been coming for longer periods of time. "Right now we have a dentist here about two weeks every month. As of July or August it will be three weeks each month."

There is more than just dental treatment offered at the new clinic. Funded in part through Health Canada's Non-insured Health Benefits program, the UBC residents and staff offer preventive education and health promotion in addition to regular dental services.

Maryam Kazemi, one of the four residents, said, "You feel like you're part of a community."

She completed her first week-long rotation in March and will head back to the Skidegate clinic in June.

"It's quite isolated compared to city life, but it's just beautiful. On the drive to work the scenery is incredible. I counted four or five eagles on one day alone-it's very serene."

On her rotation, Kazemi remembered someone coming through the office with incense as part of a cleansing ritual. "The whole building had this nice, relaxing scent. It's great to be a part of these different customs," she said, adding, "It expands your worldliness."

Kazemi said she felt a warm welcome from everybody in the community. "I think you can tell both sides are appreciative."

Ron Williams is a Skidegate band council member and holds the health and education portfolio.

"It began as a pilot project for our remote location," said Williams, "and people are really happy with it." He pointed to the hard work of all those involved in the project. "I give a lot of credit to the staff at the clinic and UBC," he said. "My kids have been there and they're quite happy with what's going on."

If you would like to book an appointment at the Skidegate dental clinic, call 250-559-7799.