Council supports dental therapy school

paNOW Staff

City council has thrown its full support behind keeping the National School of Dental Therapy open in Prince Albert.

On Monday, representatives from the school came before council to ask for official support.

“My request this evening … is that you give your support to NSDT’s continued existence as a viable educational institution and part of the economy of Prince Albert,” said instructor John Steel.

The school trains dental therapists, important players in overall oral care, especially in remote places where full services are lacking.

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Graduates from the school have traditionally ended up being the primary dental care provider to much of the north for the past 30 years.

It was funded by Health Canada, but upon a review of policies, it was education funding should be the mandate of provincial governments, and a deadline for funding was set.

For years, the school had been administered by the First Nations University of Saskatchewan, and even when the funding cut was announced, the school was unable to lobby for itself.

However, after experiencing financial difficulties, the university gave the school permission to lobby for its own survival.

Currently, a deal is being hammered out with SIAST and the Ministry of Advanced Education, Employment and Immigration. But in order for it to go through, the school needs to demonstrate community support.

“Support for the program from city officials in Prince Albert is required for negotiations to be successful,” said Steel.

Councillors voiced their support for the program.

Coun. Ted Zurakowski said in his teaching career the NDST had provided free care to some of his students. He said he would gladly support the school, but that his only regret was that the city hadn’t done it sooner.

“We’re all quite disturbed by the situation, it’s too bad we’re pushed into a reactionary mode,” he said.
Coun. Greg Dionne made the motion for the city to support to school, adding that he wanted the Mayor to do whatever it took.

“If that means that you have to travel to Regina to get our point across, you do that,” said Dionne.
Council voted in favour of producing a letter of support for the school.

Whether or not it will be successful will be determined in the coming weeks.

adesouza@rawlco.com