Each new EFDA expands the capacity of dental practices and the Missouri workforce to meet public dental needs. It’s estimated that on average, each EFDA expands the productivity of the dental team by 10% to 15%. As a new rung on the dental career ladder, the EFDA certification raises the professionalism of dental assistants and increases productivity so that earnings growth is a possibility for each EFDA.
As a best practice, the MDA recommends assistants considering EFDA have at least
one to two years on-the-job training. EFDA training begins with understanding the
terminology of the dental profession. Words are the key to how effectively we relate to
one another professionally, and the best preparation and coaching involves bringing the
EFDA candidates (and new EFDA graduates) fully into the conversation of the ideals of
the delegated procedures and how these either meet or fall short of those.
Dentists who sponsor their assistants (and hygienists) into the coursework should begin
their participation at or before enrolling the staff member into the EFDA program. As a
best practice, the MDA suggests that dentists familiarize themselves with the EFDA
course materials and potentially consider becoming a trainer in the EFDA program.
- Review the course syllabus (available on individual course pages) and the skills
that are taught. Have your assistant observe these procedures in practice and
ask questions. - Review the Skills Standards Evaluation (available on individual course pages)
for the course modules. These are the skills assistants will be evaluated on in
the EFDA clinical course. We encourage doctors and assistants to discuss
these skills to ensure both feel confident about the assistant’s readiness for the
EFDA didactic and clinical.
Expanded function dental assistant training is designed to bring participants to
pre-clinical competence in performing dental procedures. Through the courses,
assistants will be practicing skills on models, with their performance evaluated
accordingly.
Upon completion of the training, assistants will not be clinically competent in
performing expanded function skills until they have successfully performed procedures
on patients under the supervision of their dentist.
EFDA training gives assistants the “basics” of the procedures that they will be
performing. A doctor shouldn't expect that the assistant will come back ready for full
speed the first day. Doctors must realize that the main part of the EFDA training will
be in their offices after the course. Take your time; explain to your assistants why
they do each step that they are doing. A good idea for the first several patients for each procedure, is to actually act as an assistant to the “new” EFDA.
Be a ‘positive’ coach during the learning process. Speak your vision for the future
team functioning and indicate your confidence in the skills of your new EFDA assistants/hygienists—positive coaching that enrolls the team and patients in
welcoming the advancement in provision of care.
The MDA conducts a “Train the Trainers” course which acquaints new trainers and
dentist employers in the principles of learning. These principles of learning focus
upon assuring that each EFDA has knowledge of the desired results and knowledge
of the steps needed to achieve those results.
For more information on how to become a trainer, go to the trainer page.
As a doctor, there are various ways you can participate in the process of expanded functions:
- Encourage your team members to continue their education by becoming an EFDA
- Engage in the online learning process and coach your assistants as they go through the courses
- Serve as an EFDA Trainer
Having EFDA capabilities in my practice has lightened my clinical load while increasing productivity and morale.
– Dr. Ed Kendrick
I believe my investment to have my assistants go through the EFDA courses are well worth the cost. Return on investment can be measured in several ways, from a purely economic standpoint, I am sure that our office is significantly more productive. – Dr. Mark Zust
Efficiency and productivity are two parameters that can be used to define a successful dental practice. Dental assistants can help maximize efficiency and productivity. Maximizing auxiliaries' skills will allow the dentist to become more efficient, more productive, and even enjoy dentistry more.
Click the link below to read more from a DentistryToday.com article by Dr. Howard Hopenwasser. He discusses a step-by-step approach to increase your efficiency and at the same time reduce your stress level, by delegating to an EFDA.