You do recall your dentist telling you at your last check-up that, while it's good to use fluoridated toothpaste, your family also benefits from the fluoride treatment in your local water supply. [Fluoride in Clinical Services] You hear your daughter reminding your husband to sign a permission slip because this is the week the fluoride swish begins at school.

Yesterday you took your five-year-old son to register for kindergarten. The school health nurse reviewed his immunization record to be sure that he had all of the shots that protect him from deadly diseases from the "olden days." Your mother has told you that when you were a child, all parents were scared to death that their children would suffer from polio, lockjaw, or whooping cough. Most school children could expect to get measles, mumps, or German measles. [Immunizations in Disease Prevention]

The health nurse tells you that the law requires all children to be immunized against these diseases before they enter West Virginia schools. Your son had his well-child physical at the Health Department last month and received these required immunizations, as well as immunizations against hepatitis B and chicken pox. [Pediatric Clinic in Clinical Services] She told you that tuberculosis is an "old" disease that is making a comeback, and the Health Department provides testing and treatment for tuberculosis. [Tuberculosis in Disease Prevention]

As you think of all the services the local Health Department offers, you remember a time when you sent a friend for free screening for sexually transmitted diseases, including an HIV test. The results were negative, but you know the Health Department would help treat those diseases if necessary. [HIV/AIDS Testing and STD Testing in Disease Prevention] They also furnish you with birth control methods at a reduced cost. [Family Planning Clinic in Clinical Services]

The coffee is finished and you add a little milk before you drink a cup. You know that the milk is safe because public health officials inspect the dairies, conduct laboratory tests of milk samples, and check refrigeration levels of dairy products in grocery stores. [Environmental Health] You use one percent milk because you had your cholesterol and blood pressure checked at the Health Department, and the cholesterol was a little high. The nurse instructed you on some ways to decrease your cholesterol. You still get needed calcium, so you are decreasing the number of cups of coffee you drink each day. You're thankful that your doctor will refer you to the Health Department for further lab testing if it is needed. [Blood Pressure Screening and Laboratory Testing in Clinical Services]

As you drink your coffee, you're proud to see your teen daughter's picture on the front page of the morning newspaper's community section. She and several of her classmates recently won an award for designing a campaign to discourage students from using tobacco. The public health nurse has been working with them to promote community health. They recently made a trip to Charleston to learn more about tobacco prevention and talked with local Legislators about laws that will decrease youth tobacco use.

It's time to leave for work, and before you even start the car you buckle your seatbelt. It's always been a habit for your family, and you're glad that it's now the state law, thanks to public health education messages that show using seatbelts greatly reduces automobile related deaths.

Your sister recently bought an affordable infant car seat for her baby at the Health Department. Free instruction is also given to people on proper installation of car seats for infants and children. Having a car seat is not enough--proper installation is crucial to the life of the child. You also know of a program called Right from the Start at the Health Department that will provide a public health nurse to educate pregnant women about nutrition and health issues to insure they deliver healthy babies.

Work is good, but you look forward to noon. Company managers realize that worksite wellness makes good business sense so they encourage activities like the lunchtime walking program you and several of your co-workers have started. It's even easier these days because the new community walking trail is just across from your office. You like the exercise because you know it increases your aerobic fitness and helps your stress level for the rest of the afternoon. The public health nurse has told you that there is more to wellness than just not being sick, but it's achieving your best physical, mental, and emotional health.

Your business has opted to provide a smoke-free working environment to protect the workers. In fact, you and your husband noticed when you went out to dinner last evening that your restaurant was smoke-free. The Board of Health passed an ordinance to eliminate exposure to second-hand smoke in restaurants. Public health officials have been encouraging people and organizations to give up smoking to improve the overall quality of life.

You were also pleased to see that the Sanitarian awarded 95 out of 100 possible points during his last inspection of the restaurant, ensuring that health standards have been met to eliminate exposure to food borne illnesses. [Environmental Health]

You also heard on the radio that smoking cessation classes are being offered at the Health Department for those interested in a healthier lifestyle. This is just what your neighbor was hoping for to help her quit smoking. You must give her a call today.

As you leave work, you stop by the local Health Department to buy an affordable bike helmet for your son. You tell the Health Department staff member who is assisting you what your son's head measurements are, and she selects one that will fit properly and instructs you on its proper use. As part of an injury prevention project, she asks you if you changed your battery in your smoke alarms when you changed your clock on Saturday. Before you leave, you schedule a well-woman examination for yourself. [Breast and Cervical Cancer Screening Program in Clinical Services]

Thinking back, you are thankful for all the services provided under special grants, like the prostate screening clinic. It helped your husband follow-up on a high PSA screening, and you know your friend's husband was referred for high blood pressure picked up for the first time in that clinic. [Prostate Cancer Screening in Clinical Services]

You know that last year you also were tested for diabetes through a special grant; your neighbor found out she had it and started treatment with her local doctor. The health nurse helped her understand how to follow the diet the doctor prescribed.

As your family goes to sleep, the moon glows high over the valley. Thinking about the day, you realize the Pendleton County Health Department's emphasis on community wellness isn't just a one-day or week-long promotion, but an everyday lifestyle celebration.