What is an Expanded Function Dental Auxiliary?

Did you notice that Cleveland Smile Center has Expanded Function Dental Auxiliary (EFDA) members on our team? Perhaps you’ve heard the term before but don’t quite understand what it means. We thought we would talk a bit about the role of EFDA’s in your dental care. So sit back, grab your favorite toothbrush, and let’s get started!

One of the most important members of the dental team is the Dental Assistant. They provide supportive dental care for patients such as taking dental x-rays and assisting the dentist with procedures. They will also be in the room while the dentist performs procedures such as fillings and crowns.

However, the role of the dental assistant has evolved into more responsibilities than in the past. The EFDA plays a vital role in ensuring top-notch oral health for patients. In Ohio, an Expanded Functions Dental Auxiliary (EFDA) is a certified dental assistant (CDA) or registered dental hygienist (RDH) who has completed additional education and training. This allows them to get certified to perform some procedures that you might usually associate with ones that your dentist used to do.

Because of their specialized training, EFDAs can perform the following additional procedures such as:

Place Fillings: An EFDA can place and contour fillings after the dentist has prepared the tooth. Once the dentist has prepared the tooth, the EFDA uses restorative materials to place, sculpt and polish the filling, check the bite, and make sure that the area flosses well.

The dentist will do a final filling check before a procedure is completed.

Polishing Teeth: There are two different procedures for polishing

1. Polishing that is done after dental hygienists have finished with scaling. That is when they remove harmful deposits, bacteria, and stain during the dental cleaning.

2. The other type is called coronal polishing, which is often done after a dental or filling to create a smooth tooth surface.

Apply Fluoride Treatments: EFDAs can apply fluoride treatments which are usually given to pediatric patients. These fluoride treatments help to prevent tooth decay by strengthening tooth structure.

Place tooth sealants: EFDAs can place sealants, which is a preventative procedure to seal deep grooves in back teeth that are most vulnerable to decay.

Why Do Dentists Use an Expanded Function Dental Auxiliary?

Having an EFDA on the dental team serves many benefits including supporting the dentist and allows patients to get more timely, efficient appointments.

A modern dental practice involves a team approach to providing you the full-service patient experience. At Cleveland Smile Center, we rely on their entire dental team to help support patients and provide a high-quality, compassionate dental experience.

EFDAs are valued team members who have a strong sense of professional pride because they can use their additional skills to improve patients’ oral health. Cleveland Smile Center has several EFDAs who are passionate about their career and helping our patients have a smile they love!

Meet Our EFDAs at Cleveland Smile Center

Have a question? Reach out to us!

Aurora  330-954-1000 | Cuyahoga Falls  330-633-6420 | Bedford / Oakwood Village  440.735.1600 | Westlake  440.777.5757