Brace yourself: Labrador mom says cut to orthodontic services means an extra $35K bill

When Bev Thomson went ahead with the decision to get braces for her 17-year-old son this past January, she knew it would be expensive.

But the Happy Valley-Goose Bay mother had no way of knowing it could potentially cost an extra $35,000, because of reduced orthodontic subsidies at Labrador-Grenfell Health in the wake of the cost-cutting provincial budget.

• Jobs, subsidies and more among casualties of Labrador-Grenfell Health cuts

Thomson said the town’s only orthodontist, Dr. Larry Jackman, will be closing his clinic there as of September, meaning her son would need to fly to Jackman’s Corner Brook office monthly for about two years to continue treatment.

She estimated each visit would cost $1,800 in airfare.

Bev Thomson’s son got braces in January, and the family now faces a big financial battle to see treatment through. (Submitted)

“We’re really stuck… he’s only just begun his process, so we can’t really stop treatment now,” she told CBC Radio’s Labrador Morning, adding she’s been told removing the braces would further damage her son’s teeth.

“It’s not reasonable. And I really think it was irresponsible of Labrador-Grenfell Health to have this service, and then just take it away and assume that three months’ notice would be enough time for families like mine to make adjustments.”

Thomson said the bill just for her son’s braces will come to about $10-12,000, and she doesn’t have insurance.

Few options, and no cheap ones

Thomson said Jackman told her he had been laid off by the health authority, and it doesn’t look like he will continue to service Happy Valley-Goose Bay.

Jackman declined to comment to the CBC about the end of his subsidized clinic or Thomson’s situation.

Thomson said she and her son could fly to another orthodontist, or try and drive 530 kilometres to the orthodontist in Labrador City, although she has been told that clinic isn’t accepting new patients.

He’s only just begun his process, so we can’t really stop treatment now.
– Bev Thomson

“I’m hoping Labrador-Grenfell Health and/or Dr. Jackman will come to some kind of arrangement where he can continue providing services here,” she said.

Thomson said she never would have started orthodontic treatments had she had any advance warning, and would’ve waited until her son went on to post-secondary education elsewhere to treat his issues.

She has written to the health authority, her local MHA and the federal Minister of Indigenous and Northern Affairs to pressure them on the issue, and she hopes other families in the same boat will follow suit.

“If more people did that maybe we could reach some resolution,” she said.

“I’m really hopeful and optimistic that something will come out of this.”

In a statement, Labrador-Grenfell Health said it acknowledges the concerns of people receiving orthodontic services, and that it is “reviewing options with a private orthodontist”, and will release more information as it becomes available.