Photo by Pat Christman
Shannon Freitas and Dr. John Anderson check a girl for any tooth decay. A free dental clinic at Minnesota State University gave dental assistants and hygienists a chance to practice filling teeth.
MANKATO — Minnesota State University became the third state institution to offer a course on placing fillings to professional dental assistants and hygienists this week since a law change allowed them to perform the procedure.
Saturday, the first group to take the 10-day course at MSU practiced their tooth-filling technique at a free clinic in the basement of Morris Hall. The professionals in the course gained needed experience, and dozens who otherwise may not have seen a dentist benefited from the check-up.
Andy Alt of Northfield, who said he had not been to a dentist in 10 years, sat in a crowded hallway waiting to be taken into the large room where nine or more patients were being attended to at once.
Alt was relieved be getting a sensitive tooth looked at, and not too nervous. The tooth-filling in the other room seemed to be going smoothly, he said.
"I don't hear any screaming."
Dental Hygiene Department chairwoman Lynnette Engeswick said a change in state law in May 2004 allows professional dental assistants and hygienists to place fillings after they attend an advanced education program.
Engeswick said tooth decay must still be removed by a dentist. But then the dentist can move on to other patients.
"In a sense, it frees up the dentist's hand to provide more quantity of care," Engeswick said.
Indeed, dental assistant Kayla McCuen said the dentist at her clinic is hiring another assistant because of the law change.
At her job, McCuen has sat chairside for many fillings. She felt confident she could take over when she returns to the office.
McCuen said there were a few tricks to learn, like how much pressure to apply, but the technique was easy to pick up.
"It's a lot less complicated than you would think," she said.
Engeswick said there are a few empty appointment slots when the clinic continues Wednesday and Thursday. Patients are given a full dental exam, including X-rays.
Call 389-1313 to schedule an appointment.
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