More than 180 dental offices in a nine-county area were affected by the chemical spill into Elk River, WV, when state authorities issued an advisory not to use the water to individuals and businesses, according to an ADA News article.
Richard Stevens, executive director of the West Virginia Dental Association, told ADA News that these practices were "essentially shut down," and only dental office with self-contained water systems were providing services.
In an e-news communication with West Virginia dentists on January 11, Stevens noted that officials recommend dentists not open their offices until the water company had flushed all of its supply lines. After this, the offices would be instructed on how to flush their own water lines, according to the article.
"Relief from contaminated water in sight for dentists: flushing by dental offices begins after company flush," Mr. Stevens said in a January 13 e-news update. "The first region to be flushed is the east end of Charleston where about 50 dental offices are located, along with four hospitals."
The association's 2014 semiannual session also was also as it was moved from Charleston to a resort 90 miles north of the city because the host hotel needed three days to flush its system, Stevens told ADA News.
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