The University of Maine at Augusta Dental Health Programs offers an Expanded Functions Dental Assisting (EFDA) program; this program includes two semester long courses taught by a local dentist with the assistance of an Expanded Functions Dental Assistant. In the Fall preclinical semester of EFDA, the course includes an online lecture with on campus laboratory sessions scheduled on Fridays. During this phase of the program, students complete a variety of expanded function skills on a typodont with direction from the course instructors as well as mentoring from a sponsoring dentist.

uma dental programs efda

Upon successful completion of the Fall semester coursework, students are authorized to perform EFDA skills on a patient under the direct supervision of a sponsoring dentist. The fall semester typically requires approximately 5-10 hours of time in a practice outside of a student’s work schedule to complete the laboratory course requirements. This requirement is in addition to the lecture component, which typically requires 4-8 hours a week.

As a rule, the University states that students should anticipate approximately three hours of commitment outside of scheduled class time for coursework for each credit. The time commitment will vary for each individual. The Spring clinical semester of EFDA requires 100 hours of chairside time in a private practice performing EFDA skills in addition to specific procedural requirements and several on-campus clinical sessions held on Fridays throughout the semester. There is no lecture component in the Spring semester.

Admission Requirements

  • Professional pathway: 1-year full-time work experience with either a CDA and state of Maine radiology license or State of Maine RDH license in good standing
  • Student pathway: Associate of science (AS) dental assisting student with CDA credential or bachelor of science (BS) dental hygiene student with RDH credential
  • Hold current RDH or CDA
  • Completed applications submitted for fall/spring term, reviewed on a rolling basis
  • Dentist(s) sponsoring for EFDA student, who is to attend calibration session and to be responsible for the clinical training after classroom training is complete
  • Non-refundable deposit due within two weeks of applicant receiving program acceptance

Contact Torrie Tardiff at 207-262-7870 or torrie.tardiff@maine.edu to request an EFDA Application.

Curriculum

The sponsoring dentist and student are required to participate in a calibration meeting which will be held early in the fall semester. The sponsoring dentist will receive CEU credits.

  • Preclinical Expanded Functions Lecture and Lab (6 college credit hours)
    • First semester
  • Clinical Expanded Functions Lab (2 college credit hours)
    • Second Semester
    • Bench Examination to be administered second semester (cost included in tuition)
  • Upon completion of each course, student will earn Maine Category 1 CEU’s and/or Clinical Category DANB CEU’s, and the respective college credits

Please note that the Preclinical Expanded Function Dental Assisting Program can be used in lieu of the DEH 400 Practicum to fulfill a Bachelor degree in Hygiene.

Tuition & Fees

Tuition, Fees and other educational costs are approved annually for each of the seven campuses of the University of Maine System by the Board of Trustees. Tuition and fees may be amended between the time of registration and the beginning of classes pending annual Board review.

Should a student withdraw from the program, University drop/add policies are applicable.

Loupes will be required. Student discount pricing is available.

The Dental Health Programs reserve the right to change the dates, times, or related program costs. The Dental Health Programs also reserve the right to cancel courses due to instructor availability or low student enrollment.

For additional Expanded Function Dental Assistant licensure application information as well as Maine dental practice laws and rules, please visit the Maine Board of Dental Practice.