A new Indigenous Dental Degree program has been announced as part of a collaboration between a range of organizations. The degree program is the first of its type, and will take place at three different locations across Saskatchewan. Moreover, there will be a focus on the recruitment of Indigenous students – as part of a wider effort to improve access to healthcare for this vulnerable group. The news has led to widespread support.
A new Indigenous Dental Therapy Degree program has been announced, which will offer new opportunities to indigenous people – a group that has traditionally been vulnerable.
The new program will be a collaboration between the University of Saskatchewan’s College of Dentistry, the Northern Inter-Tribal Health Authority, Northlands College, and the Saskatchewan Polytechnic. It is the first program of its type.
There will also be significant investment by Indigenous Services Canada (ISC). Initial details of the program have been announced. The program should improve healthcare for indigenous people.
Challenges in healthcare for indigenous people
Indigenous people are often seen as a vulnerable group. 1.7million people in Canada identify as being indigenous. This population face many barriers to accessing healthcare, including discrimination [1].
Oral health is particularly an area of concern. For example, statistics show that approximately 87% of indigenous children in Canada have experienced tooth decay by the time they have turned 5 [2].
Due to these concerns, ISC are investing $2.1million to support a new generation of dental therapists in the aim of providing enhanced oral health services to indigenous people [3].
Statistics like the above show that there is a strong demand for oral health services for indigenous people. Therefore, improved training programs are desperately needed.
Moreover, it is also needed nationally. The National School of Dental Therapy of Canada closed in 2011, ending dental therapy education in Canada [3]. As a result, this has deepened access to healthcare issues.
The program
The new dental therapy program is due to launch in March 2023. It is a program that has been almost 5 years in the making – with planning starting many years ago [3].
The program will consist of six terms. The aim is to accept around 21 students onto the course [3]. Furthermore, the enrolees will have the chance to study either at Northlands College, the University of Saskatchewan, or Saskatchewan Polytechnic [3].
The students will be taught essential dental therapist skills. The aim is for them to become qualified dental therapists – with the potential to train to be a dentist in the future.
They will be taught a range of skills, including how to perform restorative dental work like fillings, extractions and other preventive services [3]. There is a high demand for such services.
Students will also have access to six state-of-the-art virtual simulators – which will aid their education and provide them with exposure to life-like situations [3].
Comments
The announcement has generated support from many organisations. Indigenous people are likely to be the group that benefits the most from this new program.
It has led to the Honourable Patty Hadju – Minister of Indigenous Services – to remark that the new program will pave “the way for a new generation of oral health professionals” for indigenous people [4].
Moreover, Doug Brothwell – Dean of the University of Saskatchewan’s College of Dentistry – said that the program will “create the ideal workforce to serve the indigenous peoples and communities” [3].
This is a very positive announcement, and should result in improved oral health services for indigenous people. Improving access to oral health services will also have a great impact on this vulnerable group, which can help to enhance their quality of life.
Thinking points…
1) We mentioned earlier in this article about how some people get tooth decay at a young age. Tooth decay at any age is an issue. But tooth decay isn’t always visible, and you’ll need a professional dentist to give their opinion. Therefore, you should remember to attend regular check-ups when possible, and have excellent oral hygiene. We recommend that you book an appointment soon!
2) Do you know anyone who could benefit from this program? If so, why not share this article with them – they will have a chance to look into the program further, and possibly apply. We can all do our bit to support indigenous people, and this is a good way of helping! Consider sharing this now!
What we offer at Savanna Dental
Savanna Dental is a Calgary Dental Clinic that offers many services, including regular check-ups, cavity fillings and root canals.
We are also pleased to offer some cosmetic services. Here at our Calgary dental clinic, we offer treatments like tooth whitening, Invisalign™ and dental implants.
It is important for oral problems to be addressed early. Any dental problems will be identified at check-ups. This helps to prevent the problem getting worse. If and when further treatment is needed after a check-up, our patients receive a clear treatment plan that is suited to their needs.
The best way of avoiding extra treatment is to have strong oral hygiene. This includes brushing our teeth at least twice a day, flossing regularly, and getting a dental check-up at least twice a year. Avoiding sugary foods and drink and not smoking also helps.
Our Calgary-based dental clinic Savanna Dental also follows the Alberta Dental Fee Guide. This means our prices are competitive, transparent and affordable.
We would love you to visit us here at Savanna Dental soon! You can see more about us by visiting our website https://savannadentalclinic.ca.
References
[1] Nelson, S. E., & Wilson, K. (2018). Understanding barriers to health care access through cultural safety and ethical space: Indigenous people’s experiences in Prince George, Canada. Social Science & Medicine. 218 (1), p21-27. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.socscimed.2018.09.017.
[2] Lawrence, H. P., Romanetz, M., Rutherford, L., Cappel, L., Binguis, D., & Rogers, J. B. (2004). Oral Health of Aboriginal Preschool Children in Northern Ontario. PROBE. 38 (4), p172-190.
[3] Ratzlaff, B. (2022). Indigenous dental training program aims to improve care access in Saskatchewan. Available: https://globalnews.ca/news/8861975/dental-therapy-program-indigenous-saskatchewan/. Last accessed: 22nd May 2022.
[4] Indigenous Services Canada. (2022). Government of Canada supports Indigenous Dental Therapy program launching at University of Saskatchewan. Available: https://www.canada.ca/en/indigenous-services-canada/news/2022/05/government-of-canada-supports-indigenous-dental-therapy-program-launching-at-university-of-saskatchewan.html. Last accessed: 28th May 2022.
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