Expanded Dental Functions - Non-Graduate (online)

Expanded functions may be performed by registered dental assistants who have completed Iowa Dental Board-approved training. The coursework in this approved EFDA course meets the training guidelines required by the Iowa Dental Board for Expanded Functions Dental Assistants. Coursework is completed through directed text readings along with evaluation measures and completion of clinical skills within the student's dental office. The applicant must be currently employed in a dental office to participate in this course.
Procedures available in this course include: Taking occlusal registrations; Placement and removal of gingival retraction material; Fabrication, temporary cementation, temporary re-cementation, and removal of provisional restorations; Applying cavity liners and bases and desensitizing agents; applying bonding systems, which may include the placement of the attachments used in clear aligner systems, following review of the fit and function by the supervising dentist; placement, bonding, and removal of orthodontic brackets and bands or provisional orthodontic appliances pursuant to subrules 23.4(5) and 23.5(7); Taking final impressions; Removal of adhesives using non-motorized hand instrumentation; Placement of temporary restorative materials following preparation of the tooth by the dentist; Extraoral adjustment to acrylic dentures without making any adjustments to the prosthetic teeth; tissue conditioning (soft reline only).
All procedures, plus Monitoring of Nitrous Oxide Inhalation Analgesia (offered as a separate course for an additional fee), must be successfully completed in order to be an Iowa Dental Board-Certified Level 1 Provider. However, per the Iowa Dental Board, students may choose to train in any one or several of the expanded function duties in order to become a Basic Expanded Function Provider. Upon acceptance into Kirkwood's EFDA program, the student will be emailed information on scheduling a required orientation meeting with an instructor. Once the orientation is complete, the student will be approved to begin the coursework and they will have 6-months to complete the readings, evaluation measures, and clinical documentation sheets. Orientation must be completed within 4 weeks of registration. There will be on-line quizzes and a final test required to complete the course.  Iowa Dental Board-approved Continuing Education Hours (CEHs) will be awarded for each successfully completed function along with a certificate of completion. Tuition assistance may fund up to 100 percent of your registration cost for this program. Fill out our funding referral form at www.kirkwood.edu/cefunding.