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Issue 2
|
2017
|
I
ssues and
P
eople
interpreters. They interpret for medical and dental visits,
so we can have a proper conversation with the patient or
parent. That’s been a huge help for our community-based
clinics. Another barrier may be that newcomers have never
had preventive care before, so they might not understand
the value of dental care. We also see this in some
Indigenous families: they’ve typically relied on emergency
dental care, perhaps not realizing that preventive visits
from early on can keep kids on a healthy path.
What service delivery model could help close
the access to care gap?
I think there’s a balance to be found. Many private
practices are providing great care to low-income
families, sometimes even doing pro bono work. They’re
seeing so many people; without them we couldn’t keep
afloat with the demand. Yet community clinics also
serve a need as private offices are not always the best
option for the most vulnerable: those without dental
insurance, those with a history of not showing up for
appointments, etc. I also think we need to start looking
for affordable options apart from private practice for
rural communities. I know some dentists are doing an
amazing job and are stepping up to the plate. But I also
think some families fall between the cracks because
there are no dentists in the area or they can’t afford care
and have no alternatives.
What do you want to instill in your students
and trainees?
One thing I hope to teach them is to try to always
take a nonjudgmental approach. We sometimes
make parents feel bad that their kids have cavities. We
should be helping them understand the importance
of dental health and good oral hygiene routines—not
shaming them. Similarly, I hope that they’ll have a real
appreciation of the different groups who haven’t been
typically so fortunate in terms of accessing dental care;
that they’ll be aware of the barriers to care that exist and
the oral health conditions of people living
in our own backyard. We sometimes
take for granted that everybody
should have good oral health in
cities like Winnipeg.
I also want them to be aware of
the role they can play in making
improvements for families, and
especially young kids. I try to teach
them that while they might not
feel comfortable seeing young
kids when they graduate, they
have a moral obligation to
connect families with dental
colleagues who will be able to
provide that service.
a
ONTHE
SPOT
withDr. Robert Schroth
What would you be if you weren’t a dentist?
I would probably be a pediatrician… or an
art broker! That being said, I think I’ve been
able to tailor my career to what I enjoy
doing most. I do research, but I’m not solely
a researcher. I’m a clinician scientist, where
I still do clinics with the populations I like
giving back to, and I also do advocacy and
administrative work. I think I truly found
what I was meant to do with my life.
Looking back at your career so far, what are you
the most grateful for?
I think I’ve been blessed. I’ve had great
training opportunities, great mentors. I’m
grateful for the networks and relationships
I’ve been able to develop, and for the
work that collectively we’ve been able to
accomplish. Those are the things that make
me smile when I look back.
What do you hope your legacy to be?
That maybe I’ve been able to train
others—dentists, hygienists, medical
residents, whoever it may be—to continue
to advocate for the oral health of our
younger citizens. And maybe that much
of my research and work clinically and
administratively has led to improvements to
policies or service delivery.
What advice would you give to a new graduate?
Find the things that make you happy. I
hope no one finishes off their career with
regrets. Some of us are gifted in different
ways, some can last their whole career in
a private practice, others have to do other
things. And if you’re given opportunities to
learn, seize them!