Smiles have been bigger, cleaner and whiter in Wadeye since Good Teeth - Clean Teeth Week began on September 1.
Activities during the week have included a DVD launch, checks and treatment by the Dental Therapist and Aboriginal Health Workers, discounts on toothbrushes and toothpaste and a Clean Teeth Blitz.
Project Officer Penny Brown says everyone in town will have to smile for the camera throughout the week-long event.
"We're going around the community - to the school, the local store, the takeaway, the clinic, council and ranger's station - taking photo's of smiles and the cleanest teeth win prizes.
"It's not just about kids brushing their teeth - it's about the adults too. We're trying to get the parents to become more aware of oral hygiene so they can look after their children's teeth as soon as the teeth appear at about 6 - 9 months of age.
"If you don't start cleaning teeth and gums at a really early age then by the time children start school the damage has already started," she says.
Ms Brown says the campaign was all made possible thanks to a generous donor from Melbourne - Ms Elizabeth Middleton.
"She wanted to help out the Wadeye community with a donation to go towards aural and oral health programs. Something to raise awareness of the issues and provide treatment for the children.
"The local school has been holding oral health and hygiene education sessions to raise awareness on how smoking causes sick teeth and gums, how to brush regularly and what food and drinks you should have for strong teeth.
"Students have even produced a song 'Brush Brush Brush - it's the only way' for a locally made DVD which will be launched and broadcast to the community this week," she says.
Kids can also trade in their old toothbrush for a new one when they visit the dental therapist and demonstrate how they brush their teeth.
The 'Toothbrush trade-in scheme' and drop-in visits to the school will continue well after Good Teeth - Clean Teeth Week concludes on September 5.
Media Contact: Cameron Jackson, DHF Media Liaison Officer 0401 116 144
Release date: 4 September 2008
