Suffering Yukon dentist forced to drill his own tooth

A dentist who visits Yukon communities to provide service was recently forced to use hisdrill on himself.

According to another dentistHelmut Schoener, who lives in Dawson Cityit's because bureaucratic rules prevented himfrom stepping in to help the ailing doctor.

Schoener saidDr. Chris Wisniewskihad a toothache while working in Dawson a few weeks ago.Schoener is retired, but still has a licence to practice and some 40 years of professionalexperience.

"[Wisniewski] said, 'I'm developing a toothache and it's getting worse hopefully I can make it,'" recalledSchoener."I said, 'look, there's no problem I'll gladly help you out."

Schoener said Wisniewskiaccepted his offer, and he called the territorial health department in Whitehorse to get permission for Schoener to use the dental facility in the Dawson community hospital.

But theanswer did not leave him smiling.

Schoener said the Department of Health and Social Services denied him access.

"This is an ironic twist most of the people in town know that I provided dental services for the last 40 years."

Meanwhile, Wisniewskicontinued on his community roundsto Old Crow. His toothache got worse, according to Schoener.

"So he decided, with help from his wife and assistant, to drill his own tooth and put a filling in there. Poor guy," said Schoener.

Wisniewskideclined an interview with CBC.

Not a new issue, Schoenersays

Schoener saidhe has asked the government in the pastfor permission to do emergency dental work, but it won't allow him.

"The argument was it would be unfair to other Yukon communities if Dawson received dental emergency services by me," he said.

"And on top of it, I would provide the service at no extra expenses for [the Yukon government]. It would be a free service, no obligations financially."

Schoener saidhe can't understand the government's reasoning.

"I am puzzled and surprised ...in my opinion, it does not make any sense," he said.

"The argument that it would be unfair to other communities, I find truly absurd and nobody can comprehend it. By the same token, I could say, 'Well, they should close the indoor swimming pool down in Dawson because there isn't one in Carmacks or Pelly Crossing.'"

Schoener said he's spoken with Klondike MLA, Premier Sandy Silver, about the issue.

"Unfortunately and surprisingly [he] seemed to support the decision by the department ...I'm truly puzzled," Schoenersaid.

Calls from CBC to the Yukon's health department, and toSilver, have not been returned.