INUVIK - Dentists across the Beaufort Delta have been reporting a disturbing trend.

Instead of seeing children with bright, healthy smiles, they are seeing pre-school children losing their teeth due to poor maintenance.

Shona Barbour was all smiles on May 2, as she helped pack items for the "Destination: Healthy Teeth" program. It will encourage parents to examine their toddlers' teeth, and hopefully curb the alarming rate of pre-school age tooth decay. - Philippe Morin/NNSL photo

It's a serious problem, said Shona Barbour, who is an early childhood consultant with the department of Education, Culture and Employment and co-chair of a Beaufort Delta preschool dental health initiative.

"What we've found is that pre-school dental care is very poor in this region," she said.

On May 2, Barbour was packing boxes filled with toothbrushes, books, and small hourglass-type devices called "dental timers" in Inuvik, intended for communities across the Beaufort Delta.

It was all part of a program called "Destination: healthy Teeth," which will encourage parents to monitor their toddlers' teeth and avoid junk foods like soda.

Barbour said the main issue for parents is to remember to examine their children's teeth and brush them.

According to the program literature, more than 300 infants require surgery to remove rotten teeth every year in the NWT.

Barbour said this number could hopefully be reduced, because most cases are completely preventable.

"There are instructions for parents, and it's also about making kids not be scared of the dentist," she said.

The "Destination: Healthy Teeth" program is scheduled to last from May 1 to June 15.

At that time, Barbour said, organizers will determine if it's worth funding for five years.

Sponsors include Beaufort Delta Health and Social Services, the GNWT Department of Education, Culture and Employment, the Gwich'in Tribal Council, the Inuvialuit Regional Corporation and the NWT Prenatal Nutrition Program.