The city of Temiscaming couldn’t find a dentist for Dr. Find André Valiquette, who retired at the end of March after 39 years of service.

The doctor himself tried unsuccessfully to find a dentist for his approximately 1,500 patients.

For Mayor Pierre Gingras, it is unfortunate that citizens are being forced to seek treatment far from home.

” It will be difficult for the people of Temiscaming because we are without a dentist. People need to start looking for a dentist in North Bay or Ville-Marie. People will have to move. It is sad. »

The mayor says the community doesn’t want to give up, but has no solution to offer in the short term. We are disappointed […]. Citizens have to move. Not everyone has a car and elderly people also need a dentist, but unfortunately they have to look for a means of transport for long distances. So yes, we find it very unfortunateinsists the mayor, who also has to find a clinic to get dental treatment.

Concerned about the situation, the ACDQ is challenging the opposition parties

The president of the Association of Dental Surgeons of Quebec says he’s concerned because it’s an issue that affects multiple regions.

This makes us very, very concerned about the future because we see this is a problem that is spreading in remote regions where it is very difficult to attract both dentists and dental hygienists.starts dr Carl Tremblay, who recalls that the communes of Lebel-sur-Quévillon and Matagami have not had a dental clinic for several years.

dr Carl Tremblay also regrets the poor geographic distribution of staff, which is putting pressure on the existing clinics in these regions. This is worrying for both children and adults. Then it puts a lot of stress on the rest of the clinics because they get a lot of calls, they’re very, very busymentions the doctor, who insists Dental care is a basic health care.

His organization is trying to find solutions, for example by offering internship grants in the regions for prospective dentists. We subsidize internships in Abitibi-Témiscamingue, on the north coast and in Gaspésie, the regions most affected by this shortage, because we are very aware that a village that does not have a dental clinic, It is difficult to attract young families therethe doctor recognizes.

I’ACDQ also unsuccessfully urged the Quebec Minister of Finance to implement financial measures to encourage prospective dentists to establish themselves in the regions.

She now intends to address members of the opposition to challenge the government on this very problematic issue.