What is an Ohio EFDA

Ohio Administrative Code Section 4715-3-01

“(C)(9) “Advanced qualified personnel” (hereinafter referred to as expanded function dental auxiliaries or EFDAs)- those persons who have passed the Ohio state dental board designated examination for expanded function dental auxiliaries who may perform advanced remediable intra-oral dental tasks and/or procedures under the direct supervision and full responsibility of a licensed dentist.”

An Ohio EFDA is a certified dental assistant (CDA), certified Ohio dental assistant (CODA), or a licensed dental hygienist who has graduated from an expanded functions training program and passed the Ohio EFDA state board. This auxiliary member is permitted to perform advanced remedial intra-oral procedures that involve the placement of preventative or restorative materials limited to sealants and metallic and nonmetallic restorative materials.

Ohio EFDAs commonly move into the operator’s position after the dentist is finished removing the diseased tooth structure. The EFDA then places and finishes the restorations (by law, the dentist must then return to check the EFDA’s work before the patient can be dismissed.)

Foreign trained dentists, dental students and EFDAs from other states may also apply to sit for the EFDA state board.

Ohio EFDA legislation passed in 1976. Since then, several formal educational institutions have developed expanded functions programs. The Commission on Dental Testing in Ohio was also formed to administer the official state board exam twice a year. The Ohio Dental Expanded Functions Association was formed in 1978 and has organized local components in major cities in Ohio to support the EFDA profession.