The Expanded Functions Dental Assistant program is a vocational training course specializing in dental assisting. This certificate program is designed to prepare you for immediate employment after graduation. Speak with a representative at your local dental college or visit the EFDA website to learn more about the program.
An EFDA certification is a credential that recognizes an individual’s training and skills in a number of critical areas of the dental profession. The EFDA certifications can be issued in two formats: one for those who have completed a formal training program and one for those who have gained knowledge through work experience.
The EFDA certification provides standards for dental assistants to meet to ensure that their skills are up to date with the current state of dentistry. It also serves as a way for schools and employers to identify individuals who have been appropriately trained.
How to get an Expanded Functions Dental Assistant Certification?
The EFDA certification is a certification that is awarded to dental assistants who have completed the required training and coursework. The EFDA certification lasts for six months, after which it must be renewed. To renew the certification, an individual must earn at least 40 hours of continuing education credits in order to qualify for renewal. This means that the EFDA certification must be renewed at least every six months.
The first step to getting an EFDA certification is by taking a qualifying course. There are a number of courses available, but they typically involve completing one or more courses of study with a minimum of 100 hours of work.
The Expanded Functions Dental Assistant certification is voluntary for dental assistants who want to demonstrate knowledge of expanded functions. It has no formal requirements but does require that the candidate complete a short self-paced course consisting of approximately 10 hours of study. The course covers expanded functions such as taking radiographs, administering local anesthesia and IV sedation, handling emergencies, and assisting in surgical procedures.
The best way to get the EFDA certification is to take the self-paced course. It’s a fast, inexpensive, and easy way to gain this credential.
Who Get The Expanded Functions Dental Assistant Certification?
The EFDA is a certification for dental assistants who have completed course requirements and that have demonstrated competency in the following areas:
- Patient Care
- Communication Skills
- Health Assessment
- Dental Hygiene
- Oral Cancer Screening
- Preventive Dental Care
- Oral Health Counseling
- Anatomy & Physiology of the Head and Neck Region
- Medical Terminology
- Administration of Anesthesia
- Basic Dental Laboratory Technology Principles and Materials
- Digital Radiography Principles and
- Nerve Root Anatomy for Oral Surgery
The EFDA certification process is a three-pronged program. The first step is to pass the exam. Once you have successfully passed the exam, you then need to complete your hours of instruction. Lastly, in order to be eligible for certification, you need to apply to sit for the exam and become licensed.
To qualify for the exam, you must have an associate’s degree or higher in dental assisting, two years of experience in practicing dental assisting, and one year of experience providing expanded functions dental care.
What are EFDA programs required to get an Expanded Functions dental assistant Certification?
The tests required for an EFDA certification are three different exams: the American Dental Association’s Dental Study Guide, the Subject Test in Dental Assisting, and the written examination.
Anyone who wants to get an EFDA certification must first complete a 2-year dental assisting program or have a two-year degree in an allied health field. They also need to take and pass the written and practical exams.
The dental assisting program prepares students for the real-world experience of daily tasks expected of dental assistants, including administrative tasks like patient scheduling and insurance verification and clinical tasks like preparing patients for examination.
The instructional staff includes practicing dental assistants and dentists, who share their knowledge and skills with students on a one-to-one basis.
Hope this article helps you learn all you need to know about EFDA certification.
