I'm Matt Thompson and you're listening to Drugs and the Dentist on the BBC World Service.

Americans pride themselves on their teeth.

Pearly white and standing tall, a dazzling American smile advertises glowing health and success.

But like so much in this contradictory country, it may have the best of teeth, but it also has the worst.

And nowhere is that more true than in states like North Carolina.

Here dentists are very thin on the ground.

Out of the 50 states, North Carolina comes 47th for dentists per capita.

At the time I saw him, he had six quote unquote teeth left they were all bombed out how old was he was

the older he's 23 yeah 23 and he has well now he has no teeth left.

I've come to the sleepy town of Greenville, North Carolina,

to spend one week at the East Carolina University School of Dental Medicine,

at a clinic where they train newly qualified dentists in general and emergency work.

Here they treat some of the most desperate patients in the state.

Many of those who walk through the doors are addicted to the drugs of choice around these parts,

opioids and crystal methamphetamine.

See a lot of people in that meth these days, especially a lot of young folks.

I'm telling me I ain't never seen so many young folks strung out on the drug so bad. I see people that holes in their skin and walking around looking

like zombies. That's a terrible drug.

Dr Robert Carter is a general. That's a terrible drug.

Dr Robert Carter is a general dentist and is director of the clinic. He told me why drugs like meth are so bad for the teeth.

Methamphetamine is a really bad drug. so bad

teeth. methamphetamine is a really bad drug with respect to how it dries the mouth out almost

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