Planning to attend an EFDA Course? Register ASAP!
Courses often fill before the suggested deadline, and capacity is limited to 16 students for all courses (except Restorative II, which is limited to 8 students).

EFDA Course Information

The Missouri Dental Association (MDA) is the original creator of the Expanded Functions Dental Assistant (EFDA) program and training, and continues to steward the program and provide courses.

The MDA EFDA curriculum includes both online and hands-on clinical learning, as well as competency testing, to train dental assistants in the various expanded functions as defined in Missouri Statutes and Rules.

The MDA offers courses in five categories. Click on each to learn more about that specific course.

Missouri rule specifies to be eligible to take Expanded Function courses, assistants must have proof of certification as a Certified Dental Assistant or Certified Orthodontics Assistant, or have successfully passed the Missouri Test of Basic Dental Assisting Skills (MDAS). Click to learn more eligibility requirements.

Once the dental assistant has passed the specific EFDA educational program and received a certificate attesting to competencies, they may apply for a permit issued by the Missouri Dental Board to perform those expanded functions, under the direct supervision of a dentist. Each of the five courses requires its own education component and application for permit. Click to learn more about permits.

What to Expect 

EFDA Course Expectations
EFDA Online Curriculum Overview

Click to get prepared for your online EFDA Course!