Getting teeth straightened is for some people absolutely necessary. But if teeth are to be regulated here in Greenland, it can only happen in the capital, Nuuk. A citizen of Ilulissat is not satisfied with that.
– I want it to be arranged so that all citizens have equal opportunities, regardless of where they live. Right now, orthodontics is only an option for those who live in Nuuk, says Paarnannguaq Mathiassen to Sermitsiaq.
Getting teeth straightened is for some people absolutely necessary. But if teeth are to be regulated here in Greenland, it can only happen in the capital, Nuuk. A citizen of Ilulissat is not satisfied with that.
– I want it to be arranged so that all citizens have equal opportunities, regardless of where they live. Right now, orthodontics is only an option for those who live in Nuuk, says Paarnannguaq Mathiassen to Sermitsiaq.
She has also approached the Department of Health about her wish. The inquiry has also reached Sermitsiaq. Paarnannguaq Mathiassen is also a member of the municipal council in Avannaata Kommunia for Siumut.
In doubt
Paarnannguaq Mathiassen says that she has approached the dental clinic and health service in Ilulissat several times about opportunities for orthodontics. When she approaches, she wants to be referred for orthodontics. She also says that she has been informed that a referral was sent from Ilulissat to Nuuk. But it did not reach its destination.
– They said we were referred to Nuuk, but when I investigated it in Nuuk, I was informed that no referral had been sent.
– There should be a clear explanation of how people who live on the coast and need orthodontics should deal with, who they should turn to, and what they will be covered by if they are referred, when thinking about accommodation, food, accommodation and travel. What do the possibilities look like right now? says Paarnannguaq Mathiassen.
She also wants to know who is responsible.
– When we who live on the coast turn to the dental clinic or the health service, no one will take responsibility. Who is responsible for sending the referral? They point to each other, and then we who live on the coast cannot progress in the system in that process.
Sermitsiaq has contacted the Department of Health about the possibilities for orthodontics. However, they referred to the management of the Health Service. In continuation of the referral, Sermitsiaq contacted the health management. When the article was written, no response had yet come from them.
Call: Political action should be taken
Paarnannguaq Mathiassen wants a political statement on whether orthodontics can again be possible outside of Nuuk.
– There is a need for political clarification. If it becomes necessary, the matter should also be taken up in Inatsisartut, so that citizens on the coast also have the opportunity for orthodontics, she says.
It was decided in 2019 that orthodontics should no longer be an option at the public dental clinics. A lack of specially trained dentists was then one of the reasons. In 2021, offers for orthodontics in the public sector were reopened. However, only in Nuuk, where 40 children could expect to receive an offer for orthodontics. Since then, the lack of opportunities for orthodontics outside Nuuk has been regularly debated. Seven years have almost passed. But to this day it still hasn’t become possible again.
The then naalakkersuisoq for health, Martha Abelsen (S), stated in 2020 that if orthodontics were to become an option again, it would cost the national treasury 20 million kroner a year.
Sermitsiaq is working to get naalakkersuisoq for health, Anna Wangenheim (D), to answer what political initiatives and tasks there are in relation to orthodontics.
