Thank you, Mr. Chairman. There has been quite a bit of media attention to the problem. When the rules changed and prior authorization was required, the length of time it took for turnaround for that authority to come to the dentist, and the time that would lapse, and the speed with which dentists would be paid for these services are problems.

I recently received a package of information from the Northwest Territories Dental Association. It has become more critical lately. The same kinds of challenges we face in recruiting physicians and nurses is now becoming more of a pronounced problem with dentists, partly because of this issue with the federal government over the authorization and payment for dental services.

It is my intention to get together with the Northwest Territories Dental Association and discuss how we might work together to approach the federal government about this and outline the seriousness of this. We will collaborate with any other jurisdiction that is having the same problem to try and get this issue resolved. Thank you.