More and more kids are showing up at Showboat Cinemas in Polson with cavity-free teeth and free tickets to a movie. The youngsters are members of Tribal Health’s No Cavity Club – an incentive program that rewards good dental hygiene and cavity-free checkups with movie tickets.

David Burke, the pediatric dentist at Tribal Health, says the program aims to “make kids feel very proud of themselves and promote oral health in the community.”

It appears to be working. Up to 60 smiling faces are pictured each month on the No Cavity Club bulletin board. Burke says that’s 10 times the number that adorned the board when he first arrived in the Mission Valley in 2021.

Kids are excited about seeing their pictures on the bulletin board, and their parents are enthusiastic too. “We’re getting whole families where all five kids’ pictures are on the board,” Burke said. Now, they have another reason to feel good about visiting the dentist.

When the club was started by his predecessor, Samantha Clark, one movie ticket was donated by the Showboat each month and awarded via random drawings to cavity-free kids. As of July 1, every member of the club receives a ticket, thanks to a collaboration between the CSKT Tribal Council and Showboat owners Becky and Gary Dupuis.

The Tribal Council noticed more positive checkups and fewer difficult procedures, “and offered to chip in to really reward these families and kids for putting in the work,” said Burke. The Showboat supplied discounted tickets and a free bag of popcorn.

“It’s a good way to support a local business that’s supported Tribal Health for many years, and get families to go out to the movies,” Burke said. “The kids enjoy it, but it’s a good family time too.”

Just a month into the program, Burke has noticed "a great response from both the kids and parents to the new incentive. I think it’s really going to be a great motivator!"

And getting families on the same team when it comes to dental hygiene is crucial.

Burke sees between 300 and 400 pediatric patients a month at clinics in St. Ignatius and Polson. Kids must be eligible for Tribal Health and from six months to 17 years old.

According to Burke, there’s a large disparity between the general population and American Indian and Indigenous people when it comes to dental health. “In general, there’s a higher incidence of cavities and oral disease on reservations,” he says, which he attributes to a variety of socioeconomic and cultural factors.

To offset those statistics, Tribal Health offers pediatric dental screenings three times a year at the Flathead Reservation’s nine Head Start centers, and also visits elementary schools, where they screen for cavities and hand out free toothbrushes.

During dental appointments, parents are typically sitting in the room with their child, “so there’s a three-way conversation.” Burke uses that as an opportunity to educate both patients and parents.

Among his key tips for promoting healthier teeth:

• Brush two times every day with fluoridated toothpaste. “My advice is as soon as they get out of bed, to brush their teeth. They’re washing out all the bacteria that’s been growing in their mouth for the 8 to 12 hours since they last brushed.”

If it’s hard to get a child to brush, he recommends pairing the experience with something they enjoy – like music. “Put on a song they really like and let them listen while they’re brushing their teeth,” he suggests. “When the song is over they’re done.”

• Cut out sugary drinks and snacks. Burke emphasizes the importance of reducing sugar in the diet and eliminating soda. “Water is the best, most healthy drink for your body – especially while you’re growing,” he said. Even juice can contribute to cavities, oral disease and diabetes.

“It’s a battle,” said Burke, who has four kids ages 4 to 13. “I understand and sympathize with parents who have busy schedules and are trying to eliminate sugar out of the diet.” His advice is to focus on what you can control.

• Visit your dentist regularly. Burke believes it’s important for children to develop a positive relationship with their dentist.

“One of my big treatment strategies is lots of positive reinforcement and creating an enjoyable experience,” he says. “Even if we have to do something that is difficult, we’re helping the kid cope and feel really proud of the accomplishment.”

Burke tries to stave off “dental fear” by replacing the word “shot” with “sleepy juice” and reminding parents not to use a dental appointment as a threat or punishment. The operatory at Tribal Health in Polson has a playful mural on the wall of sea plants and creatures, with lots of entertainment options available to help distract young patients from syringes and tools that might scare them.

“A big part of pediatric dentist training is managing kids fears, managing their behavior and setting them up for positive experiences,” he says. “It’s a whole science, but it’s an art as well.”