Expanded Ortho Assistant Laws: What's New And What's Next?

Expanded duty dental assistants (EDDA) are dental assistants who have undergone additional training to perform more advanced duties than regular dental assistants. EDDA certification is the next step for dental assistants who want to expand their capabilities and take on more responsibilities in a dental office. This certification is provided by specific boards and academies, and the availability of these courses varies by state. The training enables EDDA professionals to perform duties such as taking impressions, adjusting and cementing permanent indirect restorations, and placing fillings under the supervision of a dentist.

Expanded Duty Dental Assistant (EDDA) certification

The Expanded Duty Dental Assistant (EDDA) certification is for dental assistants who want to expand their capabilities and perform more advanced duties. The specific duties that an EDDA can perform vary by state, but some common examples include applying sealants, taking impressions, performing coronal polishing, applying topical anaesthetic, and applying topical fluoride.

To become an EDDA, you must complete an expanded duty dental assisting program approved by your state's dental board. For example, in Louisiana, the Expanded Duty Dental Assisting (EDDA) certificate is offered at Louisiana State University (LSU) School of Dentistry, the University of Louisiana at Monroe (ULM), and Southern University at Shreveport. The program prepares dental assistants to perform chair-side assisting, expose and process radiographs, perform basic business-office procedures, manage asepsis, infection, and hazard-control protocols, perform laboratory procedures, assist in emergency management, provide oral health instruction, and function as a member of the dental team.

In addition to completing an approved program, there may be other requirements to become an EDDA, such as holding a current BLS certification and applying to the state dental board for confirmation of EDDA certification. Some states may also require passing an exam, such as the DANB CDA certification, to perform expanded duties. It is important to check the specific requirements for the state in which you plan to practice.

The path to becoming an EDDA typically involves first gaining experience as a dental assistant, which can provide a foundation in the basics of dental practice and help individuals decide if they are interested in pursuing the expanded duty role. EFDAs often have a few years of experience and may have taken additional coursework or exams to qualify for the position. They are skilled multitaskers who are familiar with dental instruments, infection control, and health and safety regulations, and they excel in patient interactions and communication.

Prerequisites for expanded duty training

To be eligible for training in expanded functions, registered dental assistants must meet certain prerequisites. These prerequisites ensure that individuals possess the necessary qualifications and experience to undertake the responsibilities associated with expanded duty training. Here are the key prerequisites for aspiring expanded duty dental assistants:

Education and Accreditation:

• Graduation from an ADA-accredited dental assistant program: Completion of an accredited program provides a solid foundation in dental assisting knowledge and skills. This ensures that the candidate has received a quality education that meets industry standards.
• Certification by the Dental Assisting National Board (DANB): Obtaining certification from DANB demonstrates a comprehensive understanding of the field. It validates the assistant's competence and professionalism in dental assisting.

Clinical Experience:

• Clinical Practice as a Registered Dental Assistant: Candidates must have accrued at least three months of clinical practice experience as a registered dental assistant. This hands-on experience allows them to apply their knowledge in a real-world setting and develop their skills in patient care.
• Clinical Practice in a Non-Registration State: Alternatively, individuals can meet the clinical experience requirement by having at least three months of clinical practice as a dental assistant in a state that does not mandate registration. This option accommodates those who have gained valuable clinical knowledge and skills outside of the registered environment.

Additional Requirements:

• Board-Approved Training: Aspiring expanded duty dental assistants must complete training from a Board-approved expanded function training provider. This ensures that the curriculum and instruction meet the standards and requirements established by the relevant dental authorities.
• Certificate of Completion: Upon successful completion of the expanded function training, individuals must obtain a certificate of completion or equivalent documentation. This certificate serves as proof of their qualification and is required to be kept on file in each office where they provide expanded function services.
• Licensure and Registration: Depending on the state, specific licensure and registration requirements may apply. For instance, in Florida, expanded duty training may include obtaining a dental radiographer certification or adhering to the regulations outlined in Rule 64B5-16.005 of the Florida Administrative Code.

It is important to note that the prerequisites may vary slightly depending on the state and the specific expanded duty training program. Therefore, it is advisable to consult with the relevant dental board or regulatory body to confirm the exact requirements for the desired training program and location.

Expanded duty training providers

The Expanded Functions Dental Assistants Association (EFDAA) is one of the first approved providers of courses and programs mandated by the Dental Board for the Dental Assisting Profession. They offer courses for dental assistants looking to expand their duties, including:

• An 8-hour infection control course
• A course in radiation safety
• Orthodontic Assistant Course (OA)
• Coronal Polishing
• Sealants (pending)

The EFDAA offers courses in both Northern and Southern California. The Northern California course includes an 8-hour infection control course, coronal polishing, radiation safety, and sealants (pending). The Southern California course includes the same, with the addition of an orthodontic assistant course.

In Louisiana, dental assistants can pursue the Expanded Duty Dental Assistant (EDDA) certification to expand their capabilities and perform expanded duty dental assisting functions as specified by Louisiana law. The course is self-paced and takes approximately 12 hours to complete. It includes hands-on exercises performed in a laboratory to reinforce the material presented in the lectures, which can be attended online or in person.

In Florida, dental assistants are not required to obtain a dental radiographer certification if they completed a board-approved program as part of their expanded duty training.

Expanded duty responsibilities

An expanded duty dental assistant (EDFA) has more responsibilities than a registered dental assistant (RDA) and can perform additional functions in a dental office. EFDAs can perform all the duties of an RDA but have additional responsibilities that they can carry out under a dentist's supervision.

Some of the duties that an EFDA can perform include taking final impressions for permanent indirect restorations, adjusting and cementing permanent indirect restorations, and placing and contouring fillings after the dentist has prepared the tooth. While an EFDA is not certified to prepare a tooth for a filling, they can assist once the dentist has prepared the tooth to be filled. Once the dentist has prepared the tooth for the filling, the EFDA uses restorative materials to place, sculpt, and polish the filling.

EFDAs are intensely utilized in dental practice for various reasons. The dentist cannot help multiple patients simultaneously, which is where an EFDA becomes necessary. The EFDAs can complete a filling for a dentist so the dentist can begin treatment for another patient, allowing patients’ appointments to be on time.

To become an EFDA, you must be a certified RDA first. This involves completing an EFDA course that is approved by the relevant board, such as the California board-approved course offered by Howard Healthcare Academy. In addition, specific states may have their own requirements for expanded duty training. For example, in Florida, you may obtain dental radiographer certification by completing three months of on-the-job training through assisting in the positioning and exposing of dental radiographic film under the direct supervision of a Florida-licensed dentist.

Expanded duty pay

The Expanded Functions Dental Assistants Association (EFDAA) offers courses and programs mandated by the Dental Board for the Dental Assisting Profession. These include:

• An 8-hour infection control course
• Current certification in basic life support (BLS/CPR)
• Orthodontic Assistant Course (OA)
• Radiation Safety
• Coronal Polishing
• Sealants

The University of Florida also offers a 20-hour certification course in Expanded Functions for dental auxiliaries in Florida and Georgia. The course includes self-study and one weekend of in-person instruction. To be eligible, students must be at least 18 years old and have a minimum of 3 months of continuous on-the-job chairside training. The total tuition payment for this type of course is around $3,550.

In Oregon, to perform expanded orthodontic functions under the supervision of a licensed dentist, a dental assistant must earn status as an Expanded Function Orthodontic Dental Assistant (EFODA). This can be achieved by completing a course of instruction in a CODA-accredited dental assisting program and applying for Oregon EFODA certification. Additionally, they must pass the national DANB Certified Dental Assistant (CDA) exam or Certified Orthodontic Assistant (COA) exam and provide an endorsement from an Oregon-licensed dentist stating that they have completed the clinical requirements.

In Florida, there is no requirement to obtain a dental radiographer certification if expanded duty training includes a board-approved program. However, to obtain the certification, one must complete three months of on-the-job training under the supervision of a Florida-licensed dentist and provide documentation of successful completion of a Board-approved course. The fee for the certification is $35.

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