More dentists needed in PA and the North

Orb said the College does try to inform their students of the need in the North and other communities like Hudson’s Bay, Nipawin and Meadow Lake, which are also in the same boat.

“We do have a bit of a relationship with the students through a mentorship program that we’ve started, this is the past, like, four years and I think that’s part of the reason why we are seeing a higher retention rate in Saskatchewan in general. We do always promote under-serviced areas like Prince Albert or even La Ronge for instance,” Orb said.

“I think it’s more on us too, to do a better job of promoting that.”

One thing they try to do is reach out to communities. “We’ve invited a lot of the town councils to present to students at the college of dentistry through the program, but it’s just most are going to Regina and Saskatoon.”

Orb said one reason graduates stay in Saskatoon could be because a lot of them have been in the community so long while in school they don’t want to leave.

“We recognize the need to have in underserviced communities and we’ve spoken to the government about it; with the minister of health and the minister of advanced education,” he said, suggesting the government offer an incentive program similar to the one physicians get, to attract more dentists.

He highlights the culture, lifestyle and a good amount of business flowing as assets communities like Prince Albert offer.

Currently, there are 30 dentists in the city and as it grows it could definitely use more, he said.

Crystal Krasilowez has seen that demand firsthand.

Krasilowez graduated three years ago and has been working in Prince Albert as a dentist. She will be opening her own practice, West Hill Dental, Sept. 1.

“I found opening my own practice will allow me to accept the patients I want to accept and be able to be open to people who need a new dentist as opposed to having them to drive to Saskatoon or being stuck without a dentist,” she said.

Krasilowez was born in Prince Albert and moved away for a time. She said likes the city and its size “and I know there’s definitely a need for dentists here, so I thought it would be a good place to spend the rest of my career.”

Her practice will be located behind Pizza Hut on 32nd Street West and include a hygienist who is also is a therapist, alongside an assistant and secretary.

“I know right now the clinic I was at it was just so overwhelming, we had to turn people away. It’s kind of sad that there’s such a shortage in Prince Albert,” she said.

“We’re going to work some different hours, maybe stay open days that other clinics aren’t open just to, kind of, fill the need that we know there is in Prince Albert.”

She said Prince Albert might not be attractive to other dentists because of the size, or amenities, but she feels the city has everything a person needs with more coming all the time.

“People don’t realize how nice of a city Prince Albert is and I’m excited to be working here and have no problem being here for the rest of my career for sure and I think that it’s really looked down upon, but I think that’s starting to change with the new things we’re getting,” she said, adding the hospital is also opening up more time for dental procedures.

“We’re really trying to work, you know, as a community, as a profession to try to promote people to stay here to do their dental work.”

sstone@panow.com

On Twitter: @sarahstone84

by Sarah Stone

More dentists needed in PA and the North

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