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Dawson dental needs too important to leave to market

Having read Maura Forrest’s article (Feb. 8) regarding Dawson’s petition to have a dental treatment room reinstated I have something to add.

Having read Maura Forrest’s article (Feb. 8) regarding Dawson’s petition to have a dental treatment room reinstated I have something to add.

The number of signatures supporting this initiative is well over 200 at this point, taking into account both the online and paper petitions.

Also, I must take issue with Pat Living’s view that government shouldn’t compete with a private dental practice. Dawson cannot support a full time dentist given our small population base. Yes, someone like Dr. Labine might show up in retirement and provide intermittent dental care while pursuing other things like mining or what have you. Or in a very rare case someone like Dr. Schoener will set up a practice with the knowledge that his income will be a small fraction of what he earned in Germany. His reasons for moving here were varied, but certainly not to make millions practicing dentistry. It’s not realistic.

Dawsonites shouldn’t be beholden to the whims of who or what will show up in town and under what circumstances. Government needs to do the right thing and provide a reliable space to be used as a dental examination room and schedule visiting oral health care providers in a predictable fashion.

John Steins,

Dawson City