USA - Poor oral hygiene and mouths full of rotted teeth that couldn’t be saved.

Take a bite out of tooth decay
Local dentists offer free care
Dr. Ashley Patnoe of Charleston consults with Jessica Bird of Hurricane about her dental health. Children who don’t have ready access to dentists can sign up for free examinations today.
By Eric Eyre
Staff writer
When Dr. Ashley Patnoe worked as a pediatric dentist for two years in Michigan, she saw plenty of cavities.
But what she saw after returning to West Virginia to practice in 2003 was startling: young children with rampant decay, poor oral hygiene and mouths full of rotted teeth that couldn’t be saved.
“It was horrific,” Patnoe said. “I had children who I needed to pull out their teeth, and they’re only 4 or 5 years old.”
Today, Patnoe and two dozen fellow dentists will take steps to improve children’s oral health across the Kanawha Valley.

Does Charleston Water System water contain fluoride?
Yes. Charleston Water System adds one milligram per liter (mg/1) or one part per million (ppm) of fluoride to treated water. This is the amount recommended by the American Dental Association to provide maximum protection from tooth decay.