By Andrew de Souza

Dental Therapy bracing for closure

Jun 1, 2011 | 6:55 AM

The Prince Albert based National School of Dental Therapy is set to close its doors June 30 as funding has yet to materialize.

On Monday, city councillor Charlene Miller called for the city to once again lend its support to the school. She asked that yet another letter be written to elected officials in support of keeping the school open.

In 2009, the federal government announced it would cut the school’s funding after two years. That deadline happens on June 30.

“This is a very important project for the students that work there and the kids of up north and for their health and for our community,” she said.

Miller said it was especially important to fight for the school since its students provide free dental to care to local community schools.

GST Holiday

Federal government's two-month GST holiday begins

5h ago

Imminent need

Council set to discuss possible location for homeless shelter on 15th Street

10h ago

International Spotlight

P.A.'s Howe one of 4 Sask. born players named to Canada's World Junior roster

Dec 13, 2024

“If it’s lost, I believe it could be a really bad impact on our community.”

It’s a fight that’s been taken to the provincial legislature several times and has produced a 3,000 person petition, but yet to produce a final answer.

According to the school, about $2 million is needed each year is needed to keep the school open. At full strength, the school has 19 staff and graduates around 20 students each year.

Associate director Sheila Ahenakew said they’re hoping for the best but preparing for the worst.

She said since the funding cut was announced the school has had to stop its intake, despite having around 90 applications at the time and requests to study for an amount of time even if it meant never graduating.

“We have students calling and emailing us weekly to see what the situation is,” she said. “We’ve got lots of students we could notify and stay school will start on September 1 and they would be here.”

Keeping hope

Ahenakew said there are still some options left for the school. There’s a chance of receiving emergency funding from the federal government or the possibility of other benefactors.

In the meantime, the staff, many of whom share a close personal connection with the profession and the school, are all holding fast.

“If the school closes each one of us is without a job,” she said. “But every single person has committed to staying here not one has accepted a job elsewhere based on the fact of hoping the school will receive last minute funding.”

While they’re keeping their spirits up, there’s still no word from any level of government.

That’s anything, but good news for the thousands of students, young adults, seniors, people without insurance and emergency patients who are helped each year.

Ahenakew said if there’s a silver lining, it’s that at least one last group will graduate before time is up.

“I’m very, very happy with them because all the students came here with that goal and aspiration to become a dental therapist and have achieved that goal.”

adesouza@panow.com