Expanded Dental Functions - Graduate

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, and removal of provisional restorations; Applying cavity liners and bases, desensitizing agents, and bonding systems, to include the placement of orthodontic brackets, following the determination of location by the supervising dentist; Taking final impressions; Removal of adhesives using nonmotorized hand instrumentation; Placement of Class 1 temporary filling materials; and Recementation of provisional restorations. 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. To become designated as a Certified Level 1 Provider, you must have successfully completed the training for all eleven of the listed Level 1 procedures. 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.  There will be on-line quizzes and a final test 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.