The Whitehorse Correctional Centre lost its dentist.
“We don’t have a dentist on contract,” said one of the jail guards, who asked to remain anonymous.
“We have guys with teeth falling out and rotting.
“They are in so much pain, and then they act out on us.”
Jeff Bone has been held at the correctional centre for two months.
When he first arrived, Bone asked to see a dentist.
“I have my own money and told them I’d pay for it,” he said.
His name was added to a growing list on the chalkboard.
Bone learned there’d been no dentist at the jail for quite a while.
The nurse told him he’d be able to see a dentist at the end of June.
But, so far, no luck.
At first, Bone was told the dentist on contract moved away.
But after again asking for an appointment, he was told the dentist quit the contract because he wasn’t paid for his last appointments.
To ease the pain, Bone is given a ration of Tylenol 500s and “something else for the swelling,” he said.
“But I’m not interested in taking pills,” said Bone.
“For one thing, I’m an addict.
“I was locked up because of drugs and now all they want to do is feed me pills.”
Bone has a rotting wisdom tooth.
“It’s floating back and forth,” he said.
“And now all my other teeth on that top side are starting to float too, because I’m getting gum disease.”
Bone contacted the ombudsman.
“They were supposed to meet me here yesterday,” he said.
No one showed up.
“The list of people up here who need to see a dentist is unbelievable,” said Bone.
“And it’s mostly the same thing, they need a tooth pulled.”