Dental therapy instructors Rhonda Krienke and Amy Laliberte (both centre) are seen in one of the dental therapy suites. (Derek Cornet/larongeNOW Staff)

By Derek Cornet

oral health

Northlands celebrate new dental therapy program in La Ronge

Feb 27, 2024 | 5:58 PM

Community members, special guests, staff and students came together at the Northlands College Canoe Campus in La Ronge on Tuesday to celebrate the opening of its dental therapy lab.

The celebration began with an inauguration ceremony in the morning, followed by a special presentation in the afternoon featuring speeches from guests and a tour of the facility.

The dental therapy lab includes the latest in X-ray and dental examination technology, enabling students and staff to offer a comprehensive range of services such as fillings, checkups and more.

“It is the only true northern facility of its kind in Canada. It’s certainly an honour for La Ronge and northern Saskatchewan,” said Northlands President and CEO Karsten Henriksen.

“We started the dental therapy program in September of 2023 and we started with seven first-year students and seven second-year students, so students who already have a background in oral health have an opportunity to move directly into second year. We will be graduating our first students with a Bachelor of Science in Dental Therapy this June. We hope those learners are going to go out and serve northern communities, not only in northern Saskatchewan, but coast to coast to coast.”

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In addition to providing essential dental services to the community, the development of the lab presents an opportunity for learners to grow their skills and expertise within their curriculum. As learners engage in hands-on practice within the lab, they will not only enhance their academic knowledge, but also gain valuable experience that will help them transition into their professional careers in dental therapy.

“The best way to get information about our services is to check us out online or to give us a call, and I myself have been in the dental therapy chair twice, including yesterday I had a number of fillings and I will be back in on Monday morning and I am going to have some additional fillings done,” Henriksen said.

The open house on Tuesday had a number of special guests. (Derek Cornet/larongeNOW Staff)

“The benefit is being a patient is not only to you get fantastic care, but you also have the opportunity to support the education of our learners and have a lasting impact themselves on the oral health or the North.”

The celebration on Tuesday also marked the opening of the Northlands College Café. Henriksen explained the café is run by students and it gives them the chance to build customer service and cash management skills to support the hospitality sector across northern Saskatchewan.

Those interested in X-rays, fillings, referrals and more, at a heavily subsidized price, can book an appointment by calling 1-306-425-4666.

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derek.cornet@pattisonmedia.com