Future of rural Yukon dental service uncertain

Dental service for rural Yukoners is up in the air after a contract between the Yukon government and an N.W.T. dental clinic runs out in March.

Dentist Jim Tennant said Thursdayhis Hay River Dental Clinic is considered whether it will renew the 2005 contract to provide dental care in 10 Yukon communities.

Hisclinic's three dentists are already stretchedthin serving N.W.T. communities, he said.

Asked whether rural Yukoners are being well-served, Tennant responded: "I would say no and it's not just because our office just isn't doing it."

He said it's alsobecause the contract limits the amount of time the dentists can spend in the communities.

Better incentives needed, Yukon dentist says

Yukon Dental Association president Dick Smith said the government needs to provide better incentivesif they want dentists to visit the smaller communities.

Although the contract coverstravel and accommodation, the dentists often have to work under less than ideal conditions, he said.

"Some of the facilities are pretty difficult to work in and some of the circumstances working in the communities are not always the easiest, " Smith said.

"So you're basically giving up a practice in Whitehorse to go out to a questionable practice in the communities."

As of the end of January there will be 13 dentists in Whitehorse but the territory could use more, he said.