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    Expanded Function Dental Auxiliary (EFDA) Certificate Program

    Expanded Function Dental Auxiliary Certificate Program Description

    EFDA-program-editedThe Hocking College Expanded Function Dental Auxiliary certificate program is designed to train Registered/Certified Dental Assistants and Licensed Dental Hygienists in the skills of restorative dentistry. The six-month certificate program provides over 180 hours of educational experience and prepares the graduate to sit for the Ohio EFDA board exam, administered through the Commission on Dental Testing in Ohio (CODT) or the Commission on Dental Competency Assessments (CDCA-WERB). 


    Students will develop self-evaluation skills, an understanding of the Ohio State Dental Board Rules and Laws as they pertain to EFDAs, as well as professionalism and critical thinking in dentistry. January through April students will complete over 100 hours of face-to-face pre-clinical didactic/laboratory instruction on either Monday’s or Thursdays. Emphasis is placed on sealants, amalgam restorations, composite restorations and temporary restorations. May through July students will complete 80 hours of clinical requirements under the supervision of their employer(s)-licensed dentist(s). Pre-clinical proficiency must be obtained prior to proceeding to patient treatment. Proficiency is deemed by passing pre-clinical weekly competencies, final competency examination, and instructor recommendation. 


    The Hocking College EFDA Certificate program uses a selective admissions process. Applications will be available August 15, 2024 and the deadline to complete the application process is October 31, 2024.

    Hocking College offers all-inclusive pricing and works with students to assure they have complete college funding, including financial aid, before they start classes. Please reference the course curriculum tab for program costs.
    All-inclusive pricing includes the following:

    PER SEMESTER
    $300......Learning Fee
    $20........Health Center Services
    $75........Career Center Services

    Not included in the All inclusive pricing
    $53......Parking

    Pricing for housing and meal plans can be found here.

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    EFDA Course Sequence and Descriptions

    Semester & Term Course No Course Title Online / In Person Class Hours Lab Hours Credits
    Autumn
    1st 8 wks    		 EFCA-1100 Dental Terminology Online 1   1
    Autumn
    1st 8 wks    		 EFDA-1101 Tooth Morphology for the Dental Assistant Online 1   1
    Applications Accepted During Autumn Semester
    Selection of Candidates in November
    Spring
    1st 8 wks    		 EFDA-1200 Expanded Function Dental Auxiliary Assistant I In person 3 6 6
    Spring
    2nd 8 wks    		 EFDS-1300 Expanded Function Dental Auxiliary Assistant II In person 3 6 6
    Summer EFDA-2100 Directed Clinical Practice for Expanded Function Dental Auxiliary Online 1 0 1
    Hocking College EFDA certification program consists of 15 credit hours for completion.

     

    NOTE: “C” or higher in the following prerequisite course is a requirement for the EFDA Certificate program application process:
     

    PREREQUISITE COURSES (Autumn Semester 1st Eight Weeks Only)

    EFDA-1100 Dental Terminology: This 8-week online course develops the principles of building a basic dental vocabulary that are practiced with an emphasis on prefixes, suffixes, and roots. Basic spelling and pronunciation rules are covered. Anatomical, physiological, and pathological terminology pertaining to selected body systems and oral anatomy are explored. Selected clinical procedures, laboratory tests and abbreviations are discussed.  

    EFDA-1101 Tooth Morphology for the Dental Assistant: This 8-week online course is designed to introduce the EFDA program applicant to specific morphology associated with reproducing proper dental anatomy and function during restorative dental procedures on the primary and permanent dentitions.  Includes identification of all anatomical tooth structures, eruption schedule, and occlusion.

    Acceptance into the EFDA certificate program is required for the following courses:

    PRE-CLINICAL (Spring Semester)

    EFDA-1200 Expanded Function Dental Auxiliary Assistant I: This 8-week course is delivered in person through 3 lecture/6 laboratory hours. Designed to teach more extensively the concepts of dental materials and their use in restorative techniques, with particular focus on isolation, amalgam, bases, and liners.                                        

    EFDA-1300 Expanded Function Dental Auxiliary Assistant II: This 8-week course is delivered in person through 3 lecture/6 laboratory hours. Designed to teach more extensively the concepts of dental materials and their use in restorative techniques, with particular focus on glass ionomers and composite materials.

    Proficiency must be proven in the above courses prior to enrolling in the following course:

    CLINICAL (Summer Semester)

    EFDA-2100 Directed Clinical Practice for Expanded Function Dental Auxiliary Assistant: This 12-week course is delivered through one-hour of online lecture, in conjunction with 80 hours of clinical experience (conducted under the direct supervision of the student’s employer(s)).  Under their employer(s) supervision, the student will provide restorative patient care as allowed by the State of Ohio. The one-hour lecture will have a particular focus on the ethical and legal responsibilities of the Ohio EFDA, along with review for the EFDA board examination. 

    The EFDA Profession offers opportunities with an excellent income and flexible schedules. EFDAs work in general dental practices as well as pediatric practices, orthodontic practices and corporate dental practices. Opportunities also are available in public health departments, community programs and clinics. 

    Qualified Candidates

    • Certified Dental Assistants (CODA, DANB) and/or Registered Dental Assistants (American Medical Technologists, AMT)
    • Licensed Dental Hygienist
    • Unlicensed Dentists (with proof of graduation from an accredited dental school)
    • Graduates of an unaccredited dental college located outside the U.S. (with translated certificate and transcripts)

    ** CDA and RDA applicants must have a minimum of 1000 documented hours of chairside dental assisting experience within the last 2 years

    Selective Admission

    Prior to application submission

    • Candidates must have completed the two preclinical courses offered in the first 8 weeks of Autumn Semester
      1. EFDA 1100 Dental Terminology
      2. EFDA 1101 Tooth Morphology for the Dental Assistant
    • Each Candidate will complete the application process available on the website

    APPLICATION PROCESS

    Prior to August 15, 2024:
    1. Apply to Hocking College for acceptance into the college
    2. Register for Pre-requisite courses:

    Dental Terminology (EFDA-1100) and Tooth Morphology for the Dental Assistant (EFDA-1101) Both courses are offered online, in the Autumn semester during the first 8-weeks. A grade of ‘C’ or higher must be achieved in both courses for application acceptance into the EFDA Certification Program.

    August 15th - November 10th:
    1. Complete application, which MUST INCLUDE ALL the following:
      • Copy of RDH License or CDA/AMT RDA Certification
      • Current Resume
      • Two letters of Professional Recommendation
      • Background Check (must be completed by Hocking College Campus Safety)
      • 1000 hours (within last 2 years) Work Experience Verification Form
      • Personal Statement
      • Employer Recommendation
      • Employer Commitment Form
      • Acknowledgement of Performance Requirements

    Admission is competitive and based on scores from the prerequisite courses and quality of application (including personal statement and letters of recommendation)

    All students accepted to the Hocking College Expanded Functions Dental Auxiliary Program must be able to meet the following requirements:

    1. Students must be familiar with dental restorative procedures.
    2. Students should be able to use both direct vision and indirect vision (dental mirror) to properly evaluate dental restorations. Ownership of optical loupes is REQUIRED.
    3. Student’s eyesight must be able to view fine detail, have depth perception (either naturally or through corrective lenses)
    4. Students should have fine motor skills to enable accurate and safe application of dental handpieces and instruments.
    5. Students must be familiar with basic dental terms and nomenclature.
    6. Students must be able to function effectively under the time constraints of the program and display flexibility in the event of changing lab and class times.
    7. Students must be able to apply didactic learning to clinical situations.
    8. Students must be able to communicate effectively.
    9. Students must follow directions and act in a professional manner in class and when providing patient care.
    10. Students must be free of illegal drug use or alcohol use.
    11. Students must show competent and timely progress with all pre-clinical experiences prior to providing care to patients.

    CRIMINAL BACKGROUND CHECK 

    The applicant must complete a criminal background check at Nelsonville Campus-Hocking College Campus Safety, 3301 Hocking Parkway, Nelsonville, OH 45764 and have the department send the results to:
    Attn: Misti Malfe Hocking College Perry Campus 5454 OH 37 New Lexington, OH 43764
     
    **ONLY background checks completed through the Nelsonville Campus Police Department will be accepted.
     
    The applicant is responsible for the cost of the background check. Depending on the nature of a positive result, licensure, registry, or certification examination may be prohibited.
     
    Hocking College Campus Safety can be contacted at 740-753-6598 or hcpd@hocking.edu.

    1. Demonstrates ethical conduct in restorative care and the decision-making process
    2. Demonstrates the ability to comply with the rules and laws in accordance with the Ohio State Dental Board Practice Act pertaining to permissible tasks delegated to EFDAs in the delivery of restorative dental care.
    3. Demonstrates knowledge and skills to perform placement of amalgam and composite restoration in primary and permanent dentitions.
    4. Demonstrate knowledge and skills to perform other clinical procedures within the scope of practice of Ohio Revised Code for EFDAs.
    5. Maintain professionalism with faculty, dentist, dental team members, and patients.

    Application available beginning August 15, 2024; Deadline October 31, 2024.

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