W.Va. gets 'C' grade in tooth decay study - WVVA TV Bluefield Beckley WV News, Weather and Sports

W.Va. gets 'C' grade in tooth decay study

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CHARLESTON, W.Va. (AP) -- A nonprofit group gives West Virginia a "C" grade for its strategy to prevent tooth decay in children.

The Washington, D.C.-based Pew Center on the States issued the report Tuesday. It graded every state on efforts to improve access to dental sealants for low-income children.

The study noted West Virginia fell short of a goal to provide the clear plastic sealants in most school-based programs and had some restrictions on dental hygienists' abilities to apply sealants in schools.

The center says sealants can protect healthy teeth while preventing a cavity from forming when applied during the early stages of tooth decay. Typically, sealants are first applied to children's molars shortly after their permanent teeth appear.

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