Expanded Function Dental Auxiliary (EFDA) Winter 2026
About This Event
The College of Dental Medicine’s EFDA CE program is designed for Dental Assistants, Dental Hygienists, and foreign trained dentists who would like to expand their role in patient care under the supervision of MWU College of Dental Medicine (CDMA) Faculty who are also Arizona licensed dentists. This extensive program is modular in design with a total of 106 hours of instruction that prepare participants for the Dental Assisting National Board (DANB) exams required to obtain the Arizona State Board approved EFDA certification. Included in the 106 hours are 72 hours of hands-on simulation instruction. Equipment, including high and low speed handpieces, hands-on dental supplies and educational materials are included in the Course Fee. Mock exams to prepare for the DANB examinations will be included as part of the curriculum. All participants are loaned their own typodonts to take back to their dental offices for additional practice. Hands-on modular sections will consist of 50+ exercises, including placement of amalgam, composites and stainless steel crowns. The participant to faculty ratio of 6:1 will emphasize individual attention and success.
Learning Objectives
- Demonstrate understanding of infection control and clinical safety related to restorative and preventive dental assisting procedures
- Mix and manipulate alginate impression material and perform coronal polishing, sealant, and varnish application under supervision
- Demonstrate the procedure for suture removal in accordance with state dental board regulations and professional scope of practice
- Fabricate a single-unit provisional restoration using approved materials and techniques
- Explain and demonstrate the placement and removal of dental dams for isolation during restorative procedures
- Describe the indications, materials, and techniques for amalgam restorations, including Class I, II, and V restorations, and demonstrate supervised placement using appropriate matrices, retainers, and wedges
- Understand bonding principles and the properties of composite materials, and demonstrate supervised placement, finishing, and polishing of Class I, II, III, IV, and V composite restorations using appropriate systems (e.g., Garrison Rings/Wedges, Mylar strips)
- Demonstrate procedures for selecting, trimming, fitting, and cementing prefabricated crowns for pediatric teeth under supervision
- Apply the sequence and coordination required for performing quadrant restorative dentistry on maxillary and mandibular arches within supervised clinical settings
- Review and apply knowledge in preparation for the Dental Assisting National Board (DANB) Examinations in Anatomy, Morphology and Physiology (AMP), Temporaries (TMP), and Restorative Functions (RF)
- Perform restorative and preventive procedures permitted by the Arizona State Board of Dental Examiners (ASBDE) under the supervision of a licensed dentist, demonstrating adherence to professional and legal standards of dental assisting practice.