I am thinking about getting my EFDA certification. What do I need to do to plan for this?
While not required, as a best practice, the MDA recommends assistants considering EFDA have at least one to two years on-the-job training. When you decide you are ready to enroll in an EFDA course, the Missouri Dental Board recognizes three pathways (link to assistants page) to become an Expanded Functions Dental Assistant.
If I am certified in another state as an EFDA, can I perform expanded functions in Missouri?
Certification to perform expanded functions in another state does not qualify an assistant to perform or take a Missouri EFDA course. An EFDA certified in another state must follow the same pathway as a non-EFDA in Missouri.
I am a Registered Dental Assistant. Can I take EFDA courses?
Some Missouri programs state that graduating assistants are eligible to sit for a ‘Registered Dental Assistant’ examination; however, an RDA is not recognized by the Missouri Dental Board in that they cannot automatically enroll in expanded functions courses—a CDA certificate or Basic Skills Certificate is required.
Should I feel afraid about taking an EFDA course?
Some EFDA assistants are fearful of classroom testing and of failure. Many have not been in a study environment for years and feel intimidated by written tests and by having their worked judged ‘pass’ or ‘fail’.
Although a bit of trepidation about the rigors of the course can be a motivator to learning, we have seen a handful assistants who have lost sleep or become emotionally so distracted by the fear of failure that the fear becomes self-fulfilling; this is unnecessary.
EFDA assistants should prepare well for taking the courses. The most rigorous part of the course is the didactic portion because EFDAs are expected to be conversant in the terminology of each module. If you don’t study and prepare, then expect that you will likely fail the written dental morphology test. We have set the bar high enough to screen out those who are not serious enough to put in the effort to learn the dental anatomy terminology. Those who are committed to study and who persevere will succeed in getting certified as an EFDA.
Regularly we hear graduates say to us how much they feared the course—and how much more relaxed an environment it was from what they had expected.
Are course rebates ailable for assistants?
Yes...Through the grant, course rebates are available to assistants who work in the MFH service area and who successfully pass EFDA courses. The rebates will be awarded as a reimbursement for course fees once the student has attained their certificate of competency. There is no form to complete, the necessary information will be attained from the registration form for each course. Click here to learn more.
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