An Arviat man, who snowmobiled seven hours to Rankin Inlet to have an infected tooth removed after his local dentist was unable to provide treatment, is hoping his story will shine light on the limited access to basic services across Nunavut.

SA国际影视传媒淲e sometimes face challenges with unbearable pain that can be treated,SA国际影视传媒� said Daniel Alagalak. SA国际影视传媒淚SA国际影视传媒檓 hoping that other people in authority will learn where weSA国际影视传媒檙e at right now for our territory.

Speaking to Kivalliq News in Rankin Inlet, Alagalak explained his saga started three weeks ago, when he began feeling extreme pain due to a badly infected tooth.

He went to the heath centre in Arviat, who told him the only dentist in town works at the school.

SA国际影视传媒淭hey told me to go the dentist at the elementary school. I went to him and he said he couldnSA国际影视传媒檛 take my tooth out because he didnSA国际影视传媒檛 have the necessary tools to perform (the operation),SA国际影视传媒� said Alagalak. SA国际影视传媒淭he best he could do was give me some pills to help with the infection.SA国际影视传媒�

The pills ran out after a week. When he went to get a new prescription Alagalak learned the dentist was now on vacation.

SA国际影视传媒淲hen the dentist gave me pills I wasnSA国际影视传媒檛 as swollen. But when the pills ran out the pain came back. It became unbearable.SA国际影视传媒�

He then asked the health centre if he could be sent to another community for treatment but was told the government wouldnSA国际影视传媒檛 cover the cost of his travel.

As a last resort he called the dentist in Rankin to see when they would be coming to Arviat next. When he found out it wouldnSA国际影视传媒檛 be until June 20, Alagalak decided to take matters into his own hands.

SA国际影视传媒淥nce I got word they couldnSA国际影视传媒檛 cover for my travels I decided to head out by snowmobile,SA国际影视传媒� he said. SA国际影视传媒淎fter waiting 3 weeks with my infected tooth. ISA国际影视传媒檇 had enough, I couldnSA国际影视传媒檛 take it any longer.SA国际影视传媒�

Alagalak took the week off work and left first thing on the morning of May 13. It took almost eight hours for him to arrive in Rankin due to partial white out conditions. By the next day he was able to see the dentist, who was able to remove the tooth within 10 minutes.

SA国际影视传媒淚 gave her a big hug. I was really happy after all that journey,SA国际影视传媒� said Alagalak .

Alagalak originally considered flying to Rankin but ended up going by sled because it would only cost him a few hundred dollars in gas. Considering how much pain he was in before the tooth was removed, Alagalak said the trip was worth it for him.

SA国际影视传媒淚SA国际影视传媒檓 hoping that things will improve so that other people wonSA国际影视传媒檛 have to go what I had to go through.SA国际影视传媒�