Nunavik is a community of 12,000 people in the Arctic region of Quebec only accessible by plane year around. Health and social services are provided by two health centers, part of the network of health and social services in Quebec and partners in the Regional Board of Health and Social Services Nunavik. There is a high demand for dentists since a third of the population are 15 years old or under. At present only a handful of dentists, hygienists and denturists work in this region and travel to remote villages on rotations. Since the communities are not connected by road networks they have to travel to the communities by air. Cost of living and transportation is provided by the health centre.
Dental Needs in Nunavik
The Nunavik population is very young and facing serious socio- economic problems. Moreover, the presence of dentists in each community is sporadic and random which does not promote continuity and follow-up dental care. The prevalence of early childhood caries seriously affects the population of children aged 1 to 6 years and it should be treated under general anesthesia. The two health centers in Kuujjuaq and Puvirnituq are each equipped with an operating room allowing dentists to make these treatments depending on the availability of some anesthetists who are willing to travel north a few weeks per year.
How to provide your services in Nunavik
A range of services in Nunavik is to reach the health center where you want to work together with a letter of intent of your curriculum vitae (CV) and proof of professional liability insurance ODQ (College of Dentists Quebec). All must be addressed firstly to the attention of the Department of Professional and other services to the attention of the Dental Clinic.