In 2009, several collaborators embarked on updating the courses and delivery of the EFDA program through a $250,000, 3-year grant from the Missouri Foundation for Health, in their program area of ‘Oral Health Promotion and Access.’ The University of Missouri-Kansas City School of Dentistry faculty and staff, and Missouri Dental Association member dentists and staff, as well as Missouri’s assistant educators are working collaboratively to achieve the goals and objectives of the grant:

  • Updating the Curriculum – Review of the current instructional manuals, make the appropriate additions, deletions and modifications and place curriculum in an online learning structure; collaboratively, the online delivery of the Basic Skills review/Exam
  • Train-the-Trainer Workshops – Increase number and location of courses to train more doctors to teach the clinical portions of the curriculum
  • Expanding the Number of Clinical Training Venues – Recruit more geographically-dispersed venues (private dental offices, FQHC/CHCs, assistant education facilities)
  • Expanding the Number of EFDA Trainees – Overall goal of the program is to train 500 additional EFDAs practicing in the MFH service area
  • Course Rebates – Of the grant funds, $75,000 is for course rebates for assistants to take the EFDA courses (500, $150 rebates) over the grant period
  • Communicating & Marketing – Including ads, stories and brochures distributed in print, via email and online to dentists and dental auxiliaries

 

Why the Need for Updates?
Since the program’s inception, its estimated 1,800 EFDAs have been trained by MDA and its trainers. According to research, each of these EFDAs, on average, expands the productivity of the dental team by 10% to 15%, which equates to having added the equivalent in dental productivity of 180 to 270 full-time dentists. According to the Missouri Dental Board, EFDAs currently only constitute approximately 25% to 30% of the state’s 6,000 dental assistants. As part of a comprehensive solution to the state’s oral health work force needs, EFDAs may be the most significant component (short-term) to the problems of rural areas.