The Newfoundland and Labrador Dental Association is welcoming news that the province is doubling two of their dental bursary programs.
Both the Rural Dental Bursary Program and the Specialist Dental Bursary Program will see their amounts increase to $50,000.
Executive Director Amanda Barron says they are “thrilled” with the news, noting that it will really help them with recruitment.
Many sectors are facing recruitment and retention issues, and Barron says dentistry is no different as there are shortages in the province.
She says a national study that was done indicated that there are 2,500 patients per dentist in the province. While they feel confident that everyone can receive the care they need, wait times are a concern they wish to have addressed, especially with the new federal program soon coming into play.