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A new surgical center opens in Santa Maria aimed at helping children undergo extensive dental work.

The center specializes in treating patients, ages 2-12, who require general anesthesia.

The costs will be significantly lower than in a hospital setting.

The $820,000 facility is part of the not-for-profit Community Health Centers, which expects to serve 2,000, primarily low income, kids a year at the center.

"This will benefit the community of Santa Maria by serving the children who are not getting dental care or who have not been able to be cared for in a traditional hospital setting or a traditional dental setting," said Administrator Cheryl Miller.

The Santa Maria Shepard Surgical Center was a gift to CHC from Dr. Dennis and Franziska Shepard.