The EFDA program is designed to prepare Certified Dental Assistants or Licensed Dental Hygienists to apply for the Expanded Functions Dental Auxiliary (EFDA) board examination administered by the Commission on Dental Testing or the Commission on Dental Competency Assessments in Ohio. Experiences are provided for quality, knowledgeable patient care as an entry level EFDA. This course includes 200 hours of instruction, progressing from pre-clinical laboratory activities to faculty supervised clinical experience. The EFDA Program is a rigorous and challenging course. Students must be very familiar with restorative procedures, have the ability to use both direct and indirect mirror vision to complete and evaluate restorations, and the necessary dexterity to perfect fine motor skills to enable the accurate and safe application of dental hand-pieces and instruments.
Upon completion of the EFDA program, the graduate will be able to:
- Demonstrate the skill to place and finish all metallic and non-metallic restorations in a patient’s dentition.
- Demonstrate the skills to perform other clinical procedures approved by the Ohio and Pennsylvania Dental Boards.
- Meet requirements for placement of metallic and non-metallic restorations.
Requirements for EFDA Program acceptance include the following:
- Certified Dental Assistant (CDA) or Certified Ohio Dental Assistant (CODA) or Registered Dental Hygienist (RDH) or a graduate of an unaccredited dental college located outside the United States
- BCI/FBI background check documentation.
- Proof of at least Two (2) Years Work Experience as a general dentistry Chairside Dental Assistant; with experience occurring within the last 5 years, as of the date of application. or as a Registered Dental Hygienist.
- Two (2) letters of professional recommendation.
- Personal Statement
- Employer Recommendation Form.
- Signed acknowledgement of Program Performance Requirements.
The EFDA program is designed for the part-time student. In spring semester, the student will be required to complete additional time on campus in the college’s dental clinic. The time in the college’s dental clinic and the satellite program completed in the student’s assigned dental office will fulfil a student’s clinical requirements. Upon successful completion of the EFDA restorative courses, the student qualifies to sit for the state of Ohio and Pennsylvania EFDA Examination. If successful, the graduate is permitted to use the EFDA initials following their name.