A SURVEY is being carried out to see how effective government measures to improve dental health in East Lancashire youngsters has been.

Since summer 2000 more than 100 pre-schools in the region have pushed the Smile for Life project which raises awareness of nutritional and dental issues for carers of under fives.

The project, which is funded by the Department of Health, promotes snacks which are considered safe for teeth and are sugar free as well as pushing milk and water as better drinks than fizzy, sugar-laden varieties.

A study by the British Dental Association last year revealed the extent of the problem in East Lancashire, prompted by poor diet and social deprivation.

Darwen and Rossendale was the joint worst constituency in the country with an average of three decayed, missing or filled teeth (DMFT) in five-year-olds -- and the rest of East Lancashire figured in the top 30 in the BDA league table.

All other constituencies came in the red danger category as on average children in Blackburn, Burnley, Pendle, Hyndburn and even the more affluent Ribble Valley had 2.54 DMFT at the age of five.

Sharon Young, oral health promotion manager for East Lancashire, said: "Tooth decay is a significant problem as it can lead to all sorts of long-term difficulties so prevention is the key."

Problems, she said, can include unnecessary pain, disfigurement and eating difficulties.

She said: "Since Smile for Life was brought in, the practices in nurseries and schools have improved significantly. It is important to establish good eating habits from an early age."

Every four years a full survey is carried out into all five year-olds which looks at the number of missing, filled or decayed teeth.

Sharon said: "We are hoping this year to see a reduction particularly in schools where the youngsters have moved up from the preschools promoting Smile for Life."

If good habits could be established in children and maintained, the dental crisis in East Lancashire might not exist says Gary Whittle, public dental health consultant.

"We know that tooth decay is a sort of disease that results from eating too many sweet things," he said.

"If there was less decay then our dentists would be able to see more patients -- it's obvious mathematics.

"If we can do things that would reduce the amount of decay we would have less of a problem with NHS dentistry."