Expanded Functions Dental Assisting
Expanded Functions Dental Assisting
Demand for paraprofessionals - like EFDAs - grew tremendously in recent years. EFDAs work as part of the dental team, teaming with dentists in restorative dental procedures, providing both timely and exacting care to patients.
*Certificate option available – see information here: Manor College EFDA Certificate Program
Why Study Expanded Functions Dental Assisting?
EFDAs can perform all the duties of a dental assistant and more. EFDAs can apply sealants, take impressions, perform coronal polishing and more. Students seeking to become EFDAs must be skilled multitaskers because they are responsible for many duties.
Demand for dental professionals has grown tremendously in recent years. As part of the dental team, EFDAs work directly with dentists in restorative dental procedures, providing both timely and quality care to patients. EFDAs perform reversible dental procedures as set by guidelines of the Pennsylvania State Board of Dentistry, under the direct supervision of a dentist.
Why You Should Choose Manor
Manor College has been the leader in educating and training Dental Assistants since 1976. At its inception, Manor’s Expanded Functions Dental Assisting program was the first in the state of Pennsylvania.
The Manor College EFDA program is unique in that it offers direct patient care experience right on campus. EFDA students work under the supervision of licensed dentists and EFDAs who serve as clinical instructors in the Dental Health Center. The EFDA program is accredited by the American Dental Association Commission on Dental Accreditation.
Students will earn to be an integral and valued member of a dental team. We offer direct patient care experience right on campus; this is unique compared to any other EFDA program. In this program, you will work under the direct supervision of licensed dentists and EFDAs who serve as clinical instructors in the Dental Health Center starting in your second semester! This facility is equipped with the latest technologies and serves more than 2,000 patients from the community. The clinical facility has five dental operatories, a sterilization area, and staff hygienist. The educational facility has both a classroom and state of the art dental lab. The Manor College EFDA program is accredited by the American Dental Association Commission on Dental Accreditation (CODA).
EFDA Duties
EFDAs perform reversible dental procedures set by the Pennsylvania State Board of Dentistry under the direct supervision of a dentist. These duties include:
- Direct patient care
- Taking radiographs (X-rays)
- Performing laboratory and digital procedures
- Fabricating temporary crowns and bridges
- Dental Dam placement and removal
- Matrix systems placement and removal
- Placing, carving, and finishing amalgam (silver) and composite (white) restorations (fillings)
- Cosmetic dentistry
- Placement of dental sealants
- Coronal Polishing
- Orthodontic procedures/ Invisalign
- Other functions considered to be primary patient care
About the Dental Health Center
Manor College’s Dental Health Center, located on campus, is equipped with the latest technology and serves more than 2,000 patients from the local community. The facility has five dental operatories and a staff hygienist. The educational facility functions both as a classroom and state-of-the-art dental lab.
Accreditation
The Manor College EFDA program is accredited by the American Dental Association Commission on Dental Accreditation and has been granted the accreditation status of “approval without reporting requirements”. The Commission is a specialized accrediting body recognized by the United States Department of Education. The Commission on Dental Accreditation can be contacted at (312) 440-4653 or at 211 East Chicago Avenue, Chicago, IL 60611. The Commissions web address is http://www.ada.org/en/coda.
Note about Program Policies:
Each applicant may view the EFDA Program Policies on Blood Borne and Infectious Diseases upon request. These policies are available in the EFDA Clinical Coordinators Office and in the Program Clinic Manual. The EFDA faculty will be available to discuss or answer any questions an applicant may have concerning these policies.
Certification/Licensure that students are prepared for during the program or upon graduation:
- CPR Certification- (First semester in the program)/li>
- Preparation for Radiation Health and Safety Exam (RHS DANB Exam) to become xray certified in PA (1st year in the program)
- Preparation for PA EFDA Board Exam to apply and take PA EFDA Board Exam for Licensure after competition of the program
*A criminal history may prevent certification/licensure as an Expanded Functions Dental Assistant in Pennsylvania. Please contact the Pennsylvania State Board of Dentistry (SBOD) for further information.
Career Opportunities
Employment in and around Philadelphia is rich with opportunity, including work in:
- Private Practice
- Clinical Settings
- Educational Settings
- Military Settings
- Office management
- Insurance Companies
- Government Health Facilities
- Dental and Pharmaceutical sales
Manor College Alumni Are Employed At:
Alumni Spotlight
Argylle Kelly ‘23
Argylle Kelly ‘23 knew from a young age that she wanted to work in the dental field. She fell in love with EFDA because each day is different – working with restorative procedures to filling cavities. “Knowing that I’m helping people, making them feel better, makes you feel accomplished.”
“I’d recommend Manor to someone because it’s easy to be involved and be yourself. It’s much easier to get help compared to a larger school where you’re just a number.”
The curriculum for Manor’s EFDA two-year program includes a combination of sciences, lectures, labs and direct involvement with patient care at the on-site dental clinic.
Expanded Functions Dental Assisting News From Manor