Health and Community Services
December 16, 2014

The following statement was given today in the House of Assembly by the Honourable Steve Kent, Deputy Premier and Minister of Health and Community Services:

Ministerial Statement - Minister Recognizes Continued Success of Operation Tooth

Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to rise today in this Honourable House to speak to the continued success of the Operation Tooth program. Again this year, Operation Tooth is bringing vital dental services to children in rural areas who require specialist dental surgery.

Launched in 2008 by the Department of Health and Community Services, Operation Tooth has brought specialized dental care closer to home for residents in Happy Valley-Goose Bay, Gander and Burin, and has helped a great deal in relieving barriers associated with accessing this care in rural Newfoundland and Labrador.

Mr. Speaker, by bringing the dentist to the patient, the program has helped more than 800 children to date who were waitlisted at the Janeway Children’s Health and Rehabilitation Centre. Since it was created, 17 sessions have taken place in Happy Valley-Goose Bay, four in Gander and seven in Burin.

Mr. Speaker, the success of Operation Tooth depends greatly on the collaborative efforts of a variety of health professionals across the province. It is a team effort amongst regional health authorities and many professionals, including pediatric surgical dentists, resident surgeons, anesthesiologists, nurses and support staff. All exhibit an outstanding level of dedication and professionalism to this initiative and we owe them a great deal of thanks for their contributions.

Mr. Speaker, the Provincial Government is very proud of the success of this program, and we commend the Labrador-Grenfell Regional Health Authority in particular for providing the very first clinic. As well, an especially generous thank you is owed to pediatric dentist Dr. Geoff Smith, who has tirelessly conducted Operation Tooth clinics since its inception in 2008. In fact, it was Dr. Smith himself who coined the phrase “Operation Tooth.”

I ask that all Honourable Members join me in thanking those responsible for the success of Operation Tooth.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

2014 12 16                                        1:50 p.m.