Frequently Asked Questions

Does the permit need to be visibly displayed in the office or does it only need to be shown if asked? If it does need to be displayed, and I work in two different locations, can I simply make a copy of it for each location or am I required to have additional originals on display?

The board-issued expanded functions permit must be displayed in plain view in any facility where the dental assistant will be providing expanded functions prior to delegation of expanded functions to that dental assistant.

If you need the permit displayed in more than one location, you can simply make a copy of it for display. However, if you wish to have an official duplicate, you may contact the Dental Board to request. The Board will provide up to two duplicate permits; after this limit there is a $5/duplicate permit. You may contact the Missouri Dental Board at 573-751-0040.

Individuals who took an MDA-sponsored EFDA course may request duplicate certificates if originals have been lost/destroyed or if a name change has occurred. Please note that your certification will always be on record under the name with which you registered for the course at that time, but you may request a new certificate with a name change due to marriage, divorce, etc. Please complete the Request for Duplicate Certificate and return to the MDA with the appropriate fee.

Note! If you took a course previously through Nichols Career Center, Ozarks Technical Community College or another CODA-accredited dental assisting program, you will need to contact that program directly to request your certificate.

• State Technical College (formerly Nichols), 573-897-5348
• Ozarks Technical Community College, 417-447-8832

To register for an expanded functions course, you must have done one of the following: 

• Completed and passed the Missouri Dental Assisting Skills (MDAS) exam through DANB.
• Completed and passed the Certified Dental Assistant (CDA) or Certified Orthodontic Assistant (COA) (for Ortho EFDA only) exam through DANB.
• For the Restorative II Course, the MDA requires assistants to have a Restorative I Permit, issued by the Missouri Dental Board, to register. 

Read more about the MDAS and CDA/COA here.

Some assistants are fearful of classroom testing and of failure. Many have not been in a study environment for years and feel intimidated by written tests and by having their work judged 'pass' or 'fail'. The best advice for someone taking an EFDA course is PREPARE, PREPARE, PREPARE! The courses are rigorous, but we give you everything you need to ensure you will do well. If you don't study and prepare, then expect that you may struggle throughout the process. Those who are committed to the program and take preparation seriously will succeed in getting certified as an EFDA.

What can you expect from an EFDA course?

There are two components to all EFDA courses:

• Required pre-work completed through online modules
• Hands-on competency testing at the clinical session

Online coursework includes:

Clinical sessions include:

• Overview of instruments and materials
• Step-by-step instruction of each function, with coaching from trainers
• Competency testing on the expanded function procedures

The MDA schedules courses on a regular basis. Click here to view available dates.

Prior to January 2024, EFDA courses were scheduled at dental offices around the state before the MDA opened its Clinical Training Center at the MDA Executive office in Jefferson City. Now, all MDA EFDA courses are hosted at this location. The key to finding a course is looking ahead of time (all courses suggest at least a 6 week study period) and registering early, before the course fills up. Courses are listed one date at a time. As the specific course fills up or registration deadline passes, the next course date will be listed. 

Each student who registers for the EFDA Restorative II course is required to use a new Columbia Dentoform M-PVR-1560 typodont. This cost is included in the total amount of the course registration.

The MDA will also provide, as a part of the course fee, one set of prepped teeth to practice 10 different restorations. Students may have their doctors drill out preps and then refill the prepped teeth included, or students may purchase an additional set of prepped teeth from the MDA. Click for a form to purchase additional preps.

Purchase of the Modern Dental Assisting eBook is not required but is highly encouraged as the official text recommended by the MDA EFDA Program for all courses offered. 

We recommend assistants own a personal copy or have a dental office copy they can access for additional information related to topics discussed and procedures shown. Where applicable throughout the curriculum, the Modern Dental Assisting reference will be noted.

To facilitate assistants/supervising dentists owning this text, the MDA offers Modern Dental Assisting as a Pageburst eBook for a reduced price. This has been negotiated with the book publisher, Elsevier, so that we may provide EFDA students with this excellent resource to assist in study for the course preparation, but also to accompany their life-long learning in the dental profession.

Click for an order form to purchase the Modern Dental Assisting eBook from the MDA.

A Certified Dental Assistant (CDA) is a national certification designated by the Dental Assisting National Board (DANB). To become a CDA, you must meet the education and/or experience prerequisites, which currently are:

• Graduate of a Commission on Dental Accreditation (CODA)-accredited dental assisting or hygiene program OR hold a Registered Dental Hygienist (RDH) license … OR
• High school graduation or equivalent, minimum 3,500 hours dental assisting work experience accrued over a period of at least two to four years; must be verified by a licensed dentist … AND
• Pass the Radiation Health and Safety (RHS), Infection Control (ICE) and General Chairside Assisting (GC) exams within a five-year period. The exams may be taken together or separately  … AND
• Be CPR certified.

There are many dental assisting programs around the state, but not all are created equal. Many dental assistants enroll in a non-CODA accredited program with the belief that upon completion, additional duties (expanded functions) could be delegated.

The reality is that a dental assistant who has completed a non-CODA accredited program cannot perform any other duties than can be performed by a dental assistant who has had no formal training (on the job only).

Only CODA-accredited programs are allowed to teach expanded functions as a part of the dental assisting curriculum. That said, while all CODA-accredited programs are allowed to teach expanded functions, not all do. Make sure to research the available options and look closely into each program, its coursework and certifications/diplomas.