Avens, Adam Dental create satellite dental clinic at seniors home

Accessibility to dental care problemsfor some of Yellowknife's seniors are a thing of the past, after a unique dental office opened Tuesdayinside the Avensseniors' centre.

The new addition is a satellite office of the Adam Dental Clinic, and is fully equipped to do X-rays, filings, cleanings, and provide complete dental care.

Dr. Hassan Adam, the owner of Adam Dental Clinic, was approached by the board of directors at Avensabout setting up a satellite clinic in order to address the accessibility issues seniors have with getting to the dentist.

Many seniors, especially those in wheelchairs, complained of difficulties accessing a dentist. The family of one Avensresident even filed a complaint to theterritorial minister of health.

"They weren't able to get into the building," saidKathrynYoungblut, who lives at Avens."They weren't able to get out of their chair into the dental chair."

The centre provided the space for the new clinic, whileDr. Adam paid for the construction and equipment.

"A lot of the patients are friends of mine who were my patients years ago," he said."So it's great to come back and help them out."

The new clinic"wouldcertainly make a big difference for [the seniors]," said Adam, who acknowledged the difficulty of having to walk to his downtown office.

Jeff Renaud, the centre's executive director, agrees, saying that the population has a higher degree of cavities and mouth infections that Avens staff are "just not able to care for."

The Canadian Dental Association doesn't know how many long-term health centres have on-site dental clinics, but said that what Avensis doing is fairly unique in Canada.

Dr. Adam, though, isn't concerned withuniqueness just the dental health of his new clientele.

"I think it's great for the community," he said. "Great forAvens."