Gillam is a small community with a population of approximately 1200, located 600 miles north of Winnipeg on the Nelson River between Thompson and Churchill. This is where the hydro electric power for Manitoba, Winnipeg and the Midwestern USA is generated.
A chance meeting at a 1969 cocktail party between Dr. Walker Shortill, a founding partner of ADG, and John Knight, the chief administrator of the local government district (LGD) of Gillam, led to the establishment of a health service delivery program of which we are very proud. It was agreed that the citizens of Gillam would provide office space and bare bones dental equipment, and ADG would provide the dentists and staff to this northern isolated community three or four times each year. John Knight organized a dedicated group of Gillam citizens into the Gillam Dental Committee. The foundation of the continuing relationship between Gillam and ADG has been provided by this organization.Through the 30 years, well over 100 citizens of Gillam have volunteered their time to this committee to ensure that complete dental treatment can be provided in their community. Gillam was initially a railroad town on the line to Churchill. In the late sixties the provincial government decided to develop the generation of hydro electric power through the construction of the Kettle Dam and hydro electric generation plant. Through the 70's and 80's two more project (Longspruce and Limestone) on the Nelson River were completed.
Manitoba Hydro employees make up a significant portion of the population of Gillam. Hydro is committed to supplying the citizens a broad spectrum of services and has been very supportive of ADG's involvement in Gillam. The 32 years has seen the evolution of the Gillam Dental Clinic from its Spartan beginnings to a modern dental office. Initially the dental team consisted of one dentist, one dental assistant, and one dental hygienist. This crew transported not only consumable supplies and dental instruments but also compressors and vacuum equipment to Gillam and back. Through the efforts of the dental committee, Manitoba Hydro, and the citizens of Gillam, the office has evolved into a modern five-chair dental clinic with all the conveniences of our home office. We now travel to Gillam in the spring and fall. Teams of two dentists, two dental assistants, and two dental hygienists arrive for eight day stays, one to two weeks apart. This allows the delivery of all restorative and preventive dental services to the community. Working extended hours, the four visits provide approximately the equivalent of 80-100 days of dental service to Gillam annually. For a remote northern community to receive comprehensive dental treatment from the same dental office for 32 years is a rare achievement. We would like to express our appreciation to our staff who disengage from the comforts of home to contribute to our efforts in Gillam. Hats off as well to all the Gillam residents who have helped us over these very rewarding 32 years.
For a look at our northern practice and some photos of the community of Gillam visit our facebook gallery page here
