Thank you, Mr. Speaker. It is evident that the NWT health department is having trouble recruiting dental services for the residents of the Northwest Territories. In the year 2023, there was a total of 242 patients from the Mackenzie Delta region alone who were referred to Yellowknife to see the dentist. Another 33 were referred to Edmonton.
Mr. Speaker, the cost of these patients to travel from Inuvik to Yellowknife back to Inuvik is a modest $387,200. I say modest because cost factor does not include travel from their respective communities and for accommodations while in Yellowknife.
Mr. Speaker, I think it would be reasonable if the department looked at contracting dental teams to travel to Inuvik for one or two weeks every three months or so. This may cut the expense on the department down to a reasonable number. The residents of the Beaufort Delta region would definitely take advantage of this opportunity with patients not having to travel to Yellowknife and not having to take time off work from their jobs and/or be away from their families for an extended period of time. The Beaufort Delta region requires the services of dentists like the rest of the residents of the Northwest Territories. If not a permanent dental team, then I hope the department can provide an interim solution. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Thank you, Member from Mackenzie Delta. Members' statements. Return to oral questions.
Member from Yellowknife Centre. We'll go back to Members' statements.
