Here are seven facts:
1. A new California law authorizes dental hygienists to treat cavities without a dentist on site.
2. The dental hygienists will be providing low-cost, temporary fillings.
3. A dozen of dental hygienists and dentists participated in a two-day training program conducted by Northern California-based University of the Pacific.
4. Temporary fillings do not need drilling or anesthetic. The fillings can be completed relatively quickly and are a fraction of the cost of a traditional filling.
5. The new temporary filling procedure is part of a larger initiative to expand dental care by dispatching dental hygienists to preschools, senior centers and other locations to serve children and adults who do not have access to dental care.
6. Paul Glassman, DDS, is leading the movement and has spent years designing a model for low-cost care.
7. After the completion of their training, dental hygienists are expected to teach the procedure to students throughout the region.
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