Team and HR
Expanded function dental assistant
A dental assistant who has extra training and may perform additional clinical tasks that state rules allow, under a dentist's supervision.
An expanded function dental assistant, or EFDA, is a dental assistant with added training who may do more clinical tasks. A recent JADA study notes that the scope and regulation of EFDAs vary according to state, so the title and duties differ across the country.
The ADA's workforce paper lists variations of the role, such as restorative or orthodontic assistant titles in some states. Missouri has used the term in a pilot project that created the oral preventive assistant role.
The short form is EFDA. The role builds on the base duties of a dental assistant and follows state scope of practice rules. Check the state dental board for what applies. This entry gives a general definition.