EFDA Program

Our EFDA Continuing Education program begins in January. Read the information below regarding course details and the application process.

The EFDA CE program is designed to prepare qualified candidates* to apply for the Expanded Functions for the Dental Auxiliary (EFDA) board examination administered by the Commission on Dental Testing in Ohio (CODT) or the Commission on Dental Competency Assessments (CDCA), and to provide experiences for quality, knowledgeable patient care as an entry level EFDA. This course includes 180 hours, progressing from pre-clinical laboratory activities to clinical experience.

*Qualified candidates for EFDA course application include:

  • Licensed Dental Hygienists
  • ​Certified Dental Assistants (CODA or DANB), or American Medical Technologist Registered Dental Assistant
  • Unlicensed Dentists (with proof of graduation from an accredited dental school)
  • Dental students enrolled at an accredited dental college (restrictions apply)
  • Graduates of an unaccredited dental college located outside the U.S. (with translated certificate and transcripts)

All applicants must have a minimum of two years chairside experience when your application is submitted.

(Note to Dental Assistants - Your two years of experience doesn't have to be as a CDA or AMT RDA but you must have the credential when you submit your application.)  

The application deadline for the 2024 EFDA program has expired. (Candidates will be notified in mid-September.)

Information on our 2025 EFDA program will be available in spring.


Admission

Class size is limited and admission is competitive. Acceptance into the course is based on the quality of application along with scores from the prerequisite Tooth Anatomy course.

Prerequisites:

  1. Qualified candidate as defined above
  2. Minimum two years chair-side patient treatment experience
  3. Successful completion of Ohio State CE course "Tooth Anatomy for the Dental Auxiliary"
  4. Application – includes personal statement, employer assessment and employer recommendation 

    Timeline

    June/July

    Complete the "Tooth Anatomy for Dental Auxiliary" prerequisite CE course. (This is a 4 hour CE course offered in June/July.)
    Your scores from this course will become part of your application. 

    July

    Complete and Submit Application 

    September

    In early-mid September applicants will be notified of acceptance into the EFDA Program

    January

    EFDA Program Begins

    Curriculum Overview (subject to change)

    Preclinical (January – April)

    • Friday's (8 a.m. - 5 p.m.)
    • The preclinical laboratory time will primarily be spent reviewing and applying dental anatomy concepts, restorative terminology, and dental materials principles to the restoration of typodont teeth with amalgam, composite and glass ionomer restorative materials.
    • Placement of bases and liners, placement of rubber dam, and the finishing and polishing of each type of direct restorations.
    • Each student will complete approximately 100 restorations in typodont teeth during the pre-clinical session of the course.

    Clinical (May – July)

    • Students are required to complete a minimum of 80 clinical hours. (To be completed at your office, under supervision of your employer-dentist.)

    EFDA Board Review (early August)

    • This 2-day session is a required component of the OSU EFDA program. Written and typodont-based mock board examinations will be included to prepare students for the Ohio EFDA Board examination.
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    Dental Emergency Care Clinic

    Monday-Thursday
    7:30 a.m.-12 p.m.

    Friday
    7:30 a.m.-10:30 a.m.

    Student Dental Clinics

    Monday-Friday
    8:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m.

    Ohio State Dental Faculty Practice

    Monday-Friday
    7:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m.

    Upper Arlington Dental Clinic

    Monday
    7:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m.

    Tuesday-Thursday
    7:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m.

    Friday
    7:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.