Expanded Function Dental Auxiliary (EFDA) Continuing Education Program

PLEASE NOTE: Based on the guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and our public health departments, all visitors coming to Midwestern University are required to complete an online health screening, wear face masks that cover the nose and mouth, and observe and follow social distancing protocols. Midwestern University also recommends getting the COVID-19 vaccination.

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Course Description:
The College of Dental Medicine's EFDA CE program is designed for Dental Assistants, Dental Hygienists, and foreign trained dentists who would like to expand their role in patient care under the supervision of MWU College of Dental Medicine (CDMA) Faculty who are also Arizona licensed dentists. This extensive program is modular in design with a total of 106 hours of instruction that prepare participants for the Dental Assisting National Board (DANB) exams required to obtain the Arizona State Board approved EFDA certification. Included in the 106 hours are 80 hours of hands-on simulation instruction.

Equipment, including high and low speed handpieces, hands-on dental supplies and educational materials are included in the Course Fee.  Mock exams to prepare for the DANB examinations will be included as part of the curriculum.

All participants are loaned their own typodonts to take back to their dental offices for additional practice.  Hands-on modular sections will consist of 50+ exercises, including placement of amalgam, composites and stainless steel crowns. The participant to faculty ratio of 6:1 will emphasize individual attention and success.

Educational Expectations:

The EFDA Program is a very rigorous and challenging course.  Participants are expected to attend ALL lecture, laboratory and clinical sessions.

Participants will be taught by the same faculty instructors who teach the MWU College of Dental Medicine students during the week.   Faculty attention during hands-on exercises will be strengthened by a participant faculty ratio of one instructor for every six (6) participants.  It is important to the MWU faculty that participants comprehend and meet their goals.

Participants must be very familiar with restorative procedures, be able to use both direct vision and indirect mirror vision to complete and evaluate restorations, and will have to perfect fine motor skills to enable the accurate and safe application of dental hand pieces and instruments.

The EFDA Program utilizes digital learning support materials to supplement in-class learning (26 HOURS). Therefore, participants must have access to a computer to utilize the provided thumb-drive. Printed materials are not provided. 

Instruction takes place at Midwestern University College of Dental Medicine's state-of-the-art student Simulation Clinic. Each participant will have their own workstation, handpieces, instruments, materials, typodont, adjustable overhead lamp, and life-like patient simulator to learn skills necessary in the restoration of teeth as described within this document. A typodont will be loaned to participants for additional practice.

It is the responsibility of the employer-dentist to allow the EFDA trainee to perform intra-oral procedures (restorations) in the office once the participant has successfully passed the amalgam, composite, and sealant competencies.

Upon successful completion of the course, the participant will be eligible to sit for the Dental Assistant National Board (DANB) leading to certification as an EFDA in Arizona.

Eligibility:

Applicant must provide all necessary documentation when applying:

• Registered Dental Hygiene diploma (copy)
• Foreign Trained Dentists must submit transcripts from the dental school attended that have been evaluated (U.S. course equivalency) by Educational Course Evaluators  (www.ece.org), and must show proof of TOEFL Examination results (English proficiency must be demonstrated by taking the Test of English as a Foreign Language). The minimum score to be considered for admission, depending on the format of the examination, is 577 (paper-based) or 90 (internet-based).  Applicants are exempt from the TOEFL requirements if they:
  • Speak English as their native language
  • Have a bachelor's degree or higher at a U.S. college or university or a foreign university where instruction was in English
    
    

Program Performance Requirements:

All participants admitted to the Expanded Function Dental Auxiliary (EFDA) Continuing Education Program must be able to meet all of the following requirements:

• Participants must be familiar with restorative procedures.
• Four-handed general dentistry experience is expected.
• Participants must be able to use both direct vision and indirect mirror vision to complete and evaluate restorations, and will have to perfect fine motor skills to enable the accurate and safe application of dental hand pieces and instruments.
• Participants must be familiar with basic dental terms and nomenclature.
• Participants must be able to function effectively under the time constraints of the program and display flexibility in the event of changing lab and clinical situations.
• Participants must be able to apply didactic learning (theory) to clinical situations.
• Participants must be able to hear and communicate effectively, follow directions, and act professionally in class. 
• Participants must be able to read the printed words in EFDA textbooks and supplemental information, observe various dental instrument angulations and apply the concepts appropriately.
• Participants' eyesight must be able to visualize fine detail (either naturally or corrected), have depth perception, and have the ability to visualize three-dimensional objects.
• For everyone's safety, each participant must be physically free of the use of non-prescription drugs, illegal drugs, and alcohol.

An EFDA must have use of both hands, dexterity in the fingers, and tactile sensitivity to manipulate dental instruments, materials, dental hand pieces, and operate dental equipment as well as the ability to manipulate the floor rheostat for hand piece operation, and other adjunct dental equipment. The participant must be able to work from a dental operator stool in order to perform dental procedures. The ability to sit and stand for a duration of time is also necessary.  Other specific requirements include color discrimination (differentiation of various shades of color and gradations from black to white); manual dexterity/motor coordination (discern changes in surface textures by manipulating dental instruments, control exertion of hand/finger pressure); hand-eye coordination (transfer of visual input into motor output); physical communications (hear commands through operator's face mask); visual acuity (identify the working ends of various dental instruments and implements at a two foot distance); form/spatial ability (view in three-dimensional relationships, distinguish subtle changes from one form or shape to another, discriminate intricate measurements); and language development (speak clearly so that patient can understand his/her dental condition). 

Application Process:

• Complete MWU CDMA EFDA CE course application and meet all deadlines.

Deposit does not guarantee acceptance into the program until the Program Application is complete and all documentation has been met. 

Course Schedule:   Typical Class Schedule

Course Content:

Lectures and laboratory skills will cover the following topics divided into three (3) modules:

The three (3) modules will include:

• Nomenclature
• Caries classification
• Cavity preparation
• Oral anatomy
• Dental morphology
• Periodontium
• Histology
• Basics of occlusion
• Ergonomics
• Instrumentation
• Pulp protection
• Dental materials
• Matrix and wedge techniques
• Temporization
• Amalgam placement and carving
• Polishing amalgams
• Composite placement
• Composite finishing and polishing
• Posterior composites
• Pit and fissure sealant placement
• Rubber dam placement
• Mock Examination

Module Descriptions:

Module 1:  
Anatomy, Morphology and Physiology
Preliminary dental charting
Infection control/OSHA
Alginate & Study Casts/Capital Form
Coronal Polish-Stain removal
Topical fluoride/Varnish
Placing and removing periodontal dressing
Suture removal
Application of pit and fissure sealants

Module 2:
Interim therapeutic restorations
Temporaries/Provisional Restorations
Fabricating multiple-unit provisional bridges
Temporary removable prosthesis
Packing and removal of retraction cord
Impressions

Module 3:
Rubber Dam
Matrices Restorative Functions
Cavity liners/bases (purpose, materials, application), cavity classification, amalgam placement (contour, finish, materials-Hg), amalgam polishing tip selection and use, composite, glass ionomer and compomer (etch/bond, place & contour, cure, finish, adjust and polish, materials, physical properties, composition, shade selection.  SS crowns (size, place, fit in primary and permanent dentition), Procedural considerations (moisture, indications/contraindications, home care/pt. education)

DANB prep review: TBA
Dex Competency test: TBA

Additional Resources

Dental Assisting National Board
https://www.danb.org/Meet-State-Requirements/State-Specific-Information/Arizona.aspx

DANB Blue print links (study guides)
https://www.danb.org/Become-Certified/Prepare-for-DANB-Exams/Exam-Blueprints.aspx

Instructors Biography: (in alpha order), Instructors May Change

Cara Copeland, D.M.D. - MWU CDMA Assistant Professor
Dr. Copeland received her D.M.D. from Midwestern University College of Dental Medicine - Arizona.  In 2011, she completed her undergraduate and Master's degree from The Ohio State University.  Dr. Copeland enjoys staying active and spending time with her husband and son.   Dr. Copeland is currently a full time faculty member at MWU CDMA teaching in the pre-clinical Simulation Laboratory.

Aseel Murad, B.D.S., D.M.D. - MWU CDMA Associate Professor
Dr. Aseel Murad received her D.M.D. degree from the University of Pennsylvania, School of Dental Medicine.Currently she is an associate professor at Midwestern University, College of Dental Medicine Arizona. Dr. Murad practiced dentistry in the Phoenix area from 2003 to 2010 before joining Midwestern University as full time faculty. She is a current member of OSAP- Organization for Safety & Asepsis Procedures.

Tatiyana Trowbridge, D.D.S. - MWU CDMA Assistant Professor
Dr. Tatiyana Trowbridge is an Assistant Professor at Midwestern University College of Dental Medicine-Arizona (MWU CDMA).  She graduated from University of Washington School of Dentistry in 2001 and prior to joining the MWU CDMA faculty she owned and operated her private family dental practice in North Scottsdale.  Dr. Trowbridge also served as an adjunct faculty at Phoenix College Dental Hygiene and Dental assisting programs where she helped train future RDH's and DA's.  Dr. Trowbridge believes that an expanded duty assistant is essential for a successful dental practice.

Contact Person:

Martha C. Clements, M. Ed., Continuing Education Specialist
Email: mcleme@midwestern.edu
Office Phone: 623-572-3870

Registration Information

Regular Course Fee
$4,300 ($1,000 deposit, full payment due Wednesday April 14, 2021) ( Register Here)

Paid In Full
$4,300 ( Register Here)

Group  Rate Fee
$3,880 Each - Two or more from the same office ($1,000 deposit per attendee, full payment due Wednesday April 14, 2021) (Register Here)

• Deposit does not guarantee acceptance into the program until the Program Application is complete and all documentation has been met. Contact Ms. Clements at 623-572-3870. If application is not accepted, a $50.00 processing fee will be retained.
• This program has a different Cancellations and Refunds policy compared to our standard lectures and workshops. Please read carefully (see below).
• Contact Ms. Clements for additional payment options.

There are three ways to register for our continuing education programs:

1. Online See Above
2. By mail:   if you want to pay by check, make it out to Midwestern University, click here to fill out the online form, print it out and send it along with your payment to:  Ms. Martha Clements, College of Dental Medicine-AZ Midwestern University,  Office of Continuing Dental Education,  19555 N 59 ^th Avenue, Glendale, AZ 85308
3. By email:  scan completed registration form and email to mcleme@midwestern.edu, providing payment information. Please call 623-572-3870 if you have any questions about course content, directions, registration, etc.  (click to download registration form)
   
   Payment Methods: We accept checks, American Express, Diners Club, Discover, JCB, MasterCard and Visa. All checks should be made payable to:  Midwestern University.

Cancellations and Refunds: 

This program has a different Cancellations and Refunds policy compared to our standard lectures and workshops.  Please read carefully.

Full tuition refunds less $250 are issued if the participant notifies the Dental CE Office in writing (email is acceptable) of their cancellation four weeks in advance of first day of class.

Group Rates:  Group rates are based on two (2) or more participants from the same office/employer.  In the event that the number of participants drops below two (2), the group rate will be null and void and full tuition rate of $4,300 per attendee will be applicable.

However, no refunds will be issued for cancellations received three days prior to the day of the course or in the event of a no-show.   A $50 fee will be assessed for all returned payments. Returned payments include returned checks and dishonored credit or debit card payments.

The Midwestern University College of Dental Medicine-Arizona Continuing Dental Education (MWUCDM-AZ CDE) office reserves the right to end registration when the enrollment limit is reached and to cancel, modify or alter content, faculty or location for any course if circumstances indicate such a change is advisable. If the MWUCDM-AZ CDE finds it necessary to cancel a course, a full refund will be issued. No travel expenses will be refunded to the registrant in the event of course cancellation or cancellation of any registration.

Accreditation:

Midwestern University College of Dental Medicine Arizona is an ADA CERP Recognized Provider.

ADA CERP is a service of the American Dental Association to assist dental professionals in identifying quality providers of continuing dental education. ADA CERP does not approve or endorse individual courses or instructors, nor does it imply acceptance of credit hours by boards of dentistry.

Midwestern University College of Dental Medicine Arizona designates this activity for 106 continuing education credits.