Residents in La Loche and Clearwater River Dene Nation were all smiles recently after getting free dental work done on their pearly-whites.
Dental students from Saskatchewan Polytechnic were in those two communities last week, assisting dental professionals in providing oral exams, restorations, routine extractions, hygiene care and education. Nurses and students provided health screenings, education and mental health support.
“According to the Saskatchewan Dental Health Screening Program Report, the La Loche region has the highest decay rates in all of Saskatchewan,” said Dean Lefebvre, an instructor in the Dental Hygiene program. “There is limited access to dental care in the La Loche region. Northern Health and Wellness Days provide important dental and healthcare services to these communities and allows our students the opportunity to put into practice what they learn on campus.”
99 people were treated over the two-day clinic, which was sponsored by Cameco.
The professionals and dental students also visited the local elementary and high schools to educated students there on proper oral hygiene.
All the medical supplies were donated.
(Photo: Volunteers provide free dental treatment. Courtesy of Saskatchewan Polytechnic.)