Reserves Dental Care
Health Canada recognizes that poor dental hygiene and dental health is rampant among native Canadians. Fully $194-million was spent on dental services in 2009-2010, a need that is growing. Despite which, only 36% of eligible First Nations people bothered with making a dental appointment during that period of time.
Health Canada pays for health services for aboriginal people under the Non-insured Health Benefits program. That program includes dental care, prescription drugs and eye care. A Canadian Paedriatic Society report in 2011 zeroed in on the poor dental health among First Nations people. The report outlined the fact that nine in ten young children have cavities in their baby teeth.
Some children have so many cavities that dentists must attend to on an emergency basis that surgery must be performed under a general anesthetic. Clearly, there is something gravely amiss in these statistics. Indicating a lack of proper diet and nutrition, and an overabundant reliance on sugary treats inimical to anyone's health, let alone the state of their teeth.
When representatives from the Assembly of First Nations and aboriginal health groups were called upon to address the issue with some manner of response, none were available for comment. Like most other topics relating to questions about the health and well-being of those for whom they are responsible, anything that might require an introspective look is not well regarded.
Statistics have also revealed that dentists serving First Nations communities earn far more income than those in private practise in the general Canadian community. Figures released under the Access to Information Act reveal that the cost of dental care for aboriginals who suffer from imposingly high rates of dental decay, continues to increase at a steep rate.
The high billings are explicable. First Nations people may state a preference and determination to live in isolated communities where the costs associated with housing, food, medical attention, education is picked up by the federal government, but health professionals from other communities are not always enthused about having to visit those isolated areas of the country.
Leaving a limited number of health professionals to perform a lot of work. Twelve-hour working days are not uncommon for dentists often responding to urgent or emergency needs, according to authorities. Several dentists operate multiple clinics on different reserves, providing specialized, more costly services.
Earning between $200,000 to $640,000 annually as opposed to the average full-time dentist making $143,000; parsing the details, it all becomes fairly understandable.
Health Canada pays for health services for aboriginal people under the Non-insured Health Benefits program. That program includes dental care, prescription drugs and eye care. A Canadian Paedriatic Society report in 2011 zeroed in on the poor dental health among First Nations people. The report outlined the fact that nine in ten young children have cavities in their baby teeth.
Some children have so many cavities that dentists must attend to on an emergency basis that surgery must be performed under a general anesthetic. Clearly, there is something gravely amiss in these statistics. Indicating a lack of proper diet and nutrition, and an overabundant reliance on sugary treats inimical to anyone's health, let alone the state of their teeth.
When representatives from the Assembly of First Nations and aboriginal health groups were called upon to address the issue with some manner of response, none were available for comment. Like most other topics relating to questions about the health and well-being of those for whom they are responsible, anything that might require an introspective look is not well regarded.
Statistics have also revealed that dentists serving First Nations communities earn far more income than those in private practise in the general Canadian community. Figures released under the Access to Information Act reveal that the cost of dental care for aboriginals who suffer from imposingly high rates of dental decay, continues to increase at a steep rate.
The high billings are explicable. First Nations people may state a preference and determination to live in isolated communities where the costs associated with housing, food, medical attention, education is picked up by the federal government, but health professionals from other communities are not always enthused about having to visit those isolated areas of the country.
Leaving a limited number of health professionals to perform a lot of work. Twelve-hour working days are not uncommon for dentists often responding to urgent or emergency needs, according to authorities. Several dentists operate multiple clinics on different reserves, providing specialized, more costly services.
Earning between $200,000 to $640,000 annually as opposed to the average full-time dentist making $143,000; parsing the details, it all becomes fairly understandable.
Labels: Aboriginal populations, Canada, Economy, Health
posted by Pieface | 3:04 PM
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