Dental equipment replacement and visiting services supported through new agreements
Press Release
June 3, 2026
The Government of the Northwest Territories is taking steps to resume dental services in communities by improving the safety and readiness of dental equipment in health centres and confirming contracts for visiting dental service providers in several locations.
A new three-year agreement with Health Canada under the federal Oral Health Access Fund provides over $3 million to assess, repair, and replace aging dental equipment in community health centres across the territory. The agreement took effect on April 1, 2026.
In many communities, dental services are delivered by visiting dentists who rely on equipment located in local health centres. In recent years, outdated or unsafe equipment has contributed to cancelled visits and gaps in service, even when dental providers were available to travel.
The funding supports a phased approach to address these challenges. Initial work this year will focus on assessing dental spaces and equipment, planning upgrades, and developing standardized dental room layouts that meet safety and service requirements. In the following two years, equipment repairs and replacements will be completed across regions, beginning in the Beaufort Delta and Sahtu and expanding to other areas as work progresses.
The Government of the Northwest Territories has also finalized an agreement with Adam Dental Clinic to provide visiting dental services to Fort Simpson, Fort Resolution, Fort Providence and Norman Wells. Dental visits are expected to begin this summer in communities where equipment has been assessed as safe for use.
Together, these steps help by strengthening the systems that support dental service delivery, reducing cancellations caused by equipment issues, and supporting more consistent access to care closer to home.
Quotes
“Many residents, particularly those in small and remote communities, have faced real barriers to accessing dental care due to service disruptions and outdated equipment. Accessing the federal Oral Health Access Fund allows us to take a major step in supporting healthy people and communities by addressing these barriers and restoring care. By improving the safety and readiness of dental spaces and confirming visiting service providers, we can provide more reliable oral health care access across the territory and relieve pressure on the medical travel system.”
– Lesa Semmler, Minister of Health and Social Services
“Everyone in Canada should benefit from access to quality oral health care, no matter where they live. This investment will help strengthen community-based dental services across the Northwest Territories by improving the infrastructure, technology, and supports needed to deliver reliable care in rural and remote communities. By working together, we are helping reduce barriers to care and improving health outcomes for Northern and Indigenous communities.”
– The Honourable Marjorie Michel, Minister of Health
“The funding announced today will help enhance access to oral health services for residents across the Northwest Territories, particularly in rural and remote communities where access to care can be limited. This project will help ensure residents can access dental care closer to home, support community well-being and strengthen access to essential health services throughout the territory.”
– The Honourable Rebecca Alty, Minister of Crown-Indigenous Relations and Member of Parliament for the Northwest Territories
Quick facts
- The Oral Health Access Fund agreement is a three-year federal agreement between the Government of the Northwest Territories and Health Canada.
- The agreement provides just over $3 million to support the assessment, repair, and replacement of aging dental equipment in community health centres.
- Adam Dental Clinic will provide visiting dental services to four communities beginning this Summer
Related links
For media requests, please contact:
Andrew Wind
Manager, Communications
Health and Social Services
Government of the Northwest Territories
HSSmedia@gov.nt.ca
IHT4
