The Northwest Territories (NWT) Children's Oral Health Programs provide dental care services to children up to grade 12.
The Northwest Territories Health and Social Services Authority offers oral health care programs for children from birth to grade 12. These programs focus on preventive dental services to reduce the need for future complex care.
The Early Childhood Oral Health Program provides care for infants and children from birth to age four. Parents can schedule dental care appointments for their children by contacting their local health centre in the NWT.
The services offered by this program include:
- Oral health assessment
- Oral health risk screening
- Oral health education
- Fluoride varnish application
- Referral to an oral health professional
The School-Based Oral Health Program offers dental care for children in kindergarten through to the end of grade 12. Dental hygienists and dental therapists will visit the child’s school to educate them on oral health and provide treatment.
The services offered by this program include:
- Oral health education as part of the NWT health education curriculum
- The NWT School Daily Brushing Program
- Fluoride varnish application
- Hosting oral health professional appointments, including:
- Complete oral examinations
- Specialized oral health preventive and therapeutic treatments
- Oral health education
- Referral to a dentist
Dental care under these programs is available at no cost to all children who reside in the NWT.
There are dental therapists or dental hygienists who provide dental services in the communities of Fort Smith, Fort Simpson, Inuvik, Fort McPherson and Norman Wells. These dental hygienists or therapists also travel to the surrounding communities in their regions to provide services.
For children up to age four receiving dental care at a local health clinic, parents should arrive 15 to 20 minutes before their scheduled appointment and bring their healthcare card and a piece of photo identification.
If the child is receiving dental care as part of the School-Based Oral Health Program, they will only need to bring the parental consent forms for dental examination and treatment services, as well as the fluoride varnish consent form if applicable.
References
- NWT, Early Childhood Oral Health Program
- NWT, School-Based Oral Health Program
- NWT Health and Social Services Contacts
- NWT, Health and Social Services Authority
*The content provided in this article, including text, graphics, and referenced material, is intended for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional dental advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult with your dentist or another qualified oral health professional for questions regarding your dental condition. Never disregard professional dental advice or delay seeking it based on information from this article. If you believe you have a dental emergency, contact your dentist, or seek immediate assistance from an oral healthcare professional.