Graduate/Professional

Dual Degrees

Expanded Function Dental Auxiliary (EFDA)

The School of Dental Medicine offers a non-degree certificate course in expanded dental functions to dental auxiliaries with requisite training and experience. This continuing education program prepares the student to take an examination administered by the Ohio Commission on Dental Testing or the Commission on Dental Competency Assessments, for Expanded Function Dental Auxiliaries.

The Expanded Function Dental Auxiliary course is less than a part-time program and includes didactic, pre-clinical laboratory, and clinical training. It is affiliated with several hospitals and health agencies in the Cleveland metropolitan area, where a portion of the clinical training takes place. The majority of clinical experience occurs in the student’s place of employment. Students are selected for admission on the basis of their performance on an entrance examination administered by the program faculty.

Upon successful completion of this accredited program, an auxiliary is eligible to sit for the state certifying examination provided by the Commission on Dental Testing in Ohio or the Commission on Dental Competency Assessments.

Admission

Information about admission to the EFDA program can be found on the School of Dental Medicine website.

Program of Study

Students begin the program by learning tooth anatomy, contour, and contact using wax. Then students gradually advance through one, two, three, and complex surface restorations of amalgam and composite on the typodont. Rubber dam placement, gingival retraction cord placement, and sealant placement are also learned.

Part of the responsibility for being in the program will be for the employer dentist to allow the EFDA trainee to perform intra-oral procedures (restorations) in the office once the student has successfully passed semester one amalgam, composite, and sealant competencies.

Clinical/patient experience occurs during the second semester in the office in which the student is employed. Limited availability at MetroHealth Hospital/clinics, or St. Elizabeth Hospital Dental Clinic in Youngstown, Ohio, for students who cannot complete clinical hours in their place of employment.

Mock board exams are given during the second semester, simulating the testing atmosphere of the actual state examination.

After successful completion of the course, the student will be eligible to sit for the state board examination administered by the Commission on Dental Testing in Ohio or by the Commission on Dental Competency Assessments.  Examination candidates will be expected to bring their own instruments and materials (not school-owned) for the exam.

According to various sections of the Ohio Law and Regulations for Certification and Licensure Boards, persons convicted of any felony or misdemeanor may not be able to take the licensure or certification examinations; may be refused acceptance of placement by the clinical/practicum sites; or may have restrictions placed on their ability to practice. For more information, contact the Dean of Student Services and the applicable licensure/certification board.

• Lecture and lab during the first semester
• All day lab/clinic second semester
• An optional state board review course is offered at the end of the second semester, after completion of the EFDA Program in May for an additional fee

Lectures and labs

• Nomenclature
• Caries classification
• Cavity preparation
• Oral anatomy
• Dental morphology
• Periodontium
• Histology
• Basics of occlusion
• Ergonomics
• Instrumentation
• Pulp protection
• Dental materials
• Matrix and wedge techniques
• Temporization
• Amalgam placement and carving
• Polishing amalgams
• Composite placement
• Composite finishing and polishing
• Posterior composites
• Pit and fissure sealant placement
• Rubber dam placement
• Gingival retraction methods