Filling in the Gaps

A certain image comes to mind when you think of Appalachian mountain folk - tattered overalls, bare feet, banjos, and a gap-toothed smile. But thanks to Dr. Jeff Bailey, that image is about to change thanks to his mobile(as in movable, not a city in Alabama ) dental care unit conveniently housed in a silver Airstream trailer.

Due to an excess of sugary foods, tobacky - both fer chawin' and smokin', a lack of flouridated water, and general neglect, Dr. Bailey has his work cut out for him. According to some Centers for Disease Control reports, the Appalachian states are the gummiest of all: 32 percent of Tennessee residents reported losing teeth last year, 38 percent in Kentucky and 43 percent in West Virginia, which holds the distinction of the Most Toothless State.

It is not known how much West Virginian pride was put into this distinction or whether Kentucky - which held this moniker in 2003 - was gearing up to win back the title next year.

Most of the members of the mountain communities assume that losing teeth is just part of getting old and even a rite of passage. But with the help of Dr. Bailey, the ever-echoed cry "Squeal like a piggy!" will no longer whistle with sibilance through missing teeth.

I aint kiddin