Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I have heard from several residents of the Inuvik region about the lack of dental care in the Inuvik region. Without essential service, children and young adults are going without.
Mr. Speaker, dental care is just as important as health care. Mr. Speaker, the lack of adequate services in the Inuvik region are having to have families and family members pay their own way to Yellowknife at their own expense for their children to deal with braces. They see the oral dentists here in Yellowknife, Mr. Speaker, but, more importantly, they are bearing the costs. Again, they are not being reimbursed by the Department of Health and Social Services.
Mr. Speaker, I believe it is essential that that service be provided. Mr. Speaker, I have heard from one family where they waited for over three years for service. Three years is unacceptable, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the Inuvik region hasn’t had an orthodontist in the region for some time. I think it is critical that that position be filled and it be filled as soon as possible. More importantly, Mr. Speaker, I think the Minister of Health has the responsibility to ensure that families and the residents of the Mackenzie Delta’s children will be taken care of with this important service.
Mr. Speaker, at the appropriate time I will be asking the Minister of Health and Social Services questions on this matter and, more importantly, on the well-being of dental care for the people in the Inuvik region. Thank you.
Thank you, Mr. Krutko. The honourable Member for Hay River South, Mrs. Groenewegen.
