There is an educational and a testing requirement in the state of Ohio for those who wish to practice as Ohio EFDA’s. After applying to and graduating from one of the five state EFDA programs, the EFDA State Board must be taken. Those who pass the state test may apply to the Ohio State Dental Board for permission to practice in Ohio.

* EFDA’s educated and practicing in other states may appeal to the Commission on Dental Testing in Ohio (responsible for state testing) to sit for the EFDA state board without taking the educational requirement. Such cases are reviewed individually by the Commission’s chief examiner.

Who May apply to the EFDA Programs

Each EFDA program has individual requirements. Most require that applicants show proof of DANB CDA, OHIO CDA, or Ohio RDH and may request 2 years of office experience. Some EFDA programs are part of the dental hygiene curriculum. Recently some foreign trained dentists, who are waiting for their Ohio license, have been accepted into the EFDA training programs.

Ohio EFDA Training Programs  

Case Western Reserve University

Shelly Feiwell, CDA, EFDA
CWRU School of Dental Medicine
EFDA Program
10900 Euclid Avenue
Cleveland, OH  44106-4905
(216) 368-3252
e-mail: sxf35@case.edu

Jefferson Community College

Pam Kearney, CDA, EFDA
Jefferson Community College
Dental Assisting Department
4000 Sunset Blvd.
Steubenville, OH  43952
(740) 264-5591 Ext. 190
(800) 682-6553 Ext. 190
Secretary's Ext. 227, 228

Owens Community College

James W. Kwasniak, D.D.S.
Owens Community College
Department of Dental Hygiene
P.O. Box 10000, Oregon Road
Toledo, OH  43699-1947
(567) 661-7601
e-mail: james_kwasniak@owens.edu

Sinclair Community College

Sue Raffee, RDH, EFDA, MSA
Department of Dental Hygiene
444 West third Street
Dayton, OH  45402
(937) 512-2703
e-mail: sue.raffee@sinclair.edu

The Ohio State University

Wendy  Moore RDH, EFDA, MSA
OSU College of Dentistry
3001 N. Postle Hall
Columbus, OH  43210-1267
(614) 292-9876
e-mail: moore.1396@osu.edu

Who may apply to sit for the EFDA State Boards.

The Ohio Dental Code states the following:

Pursuant to Ohio Administrative Code Section 4715-3-01(C)(9), the following persons may be considered as candidates to take the Ohio Commission on Dental Testing examination for Expanded Function Dental Auxiliaries (EFDA):

(C)(9) “Advanced qualified personnel” (hereinafter referred to as expanded function dental auxiliaries or EFDA’s)- 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.

Upon submitting proof of successful completion of acceptable training on a form prescribed by the board and signed by the chief administrative officer of the program at the accredited institution, the following applicants shall be admitted to the state board designated examination for expanded function dental auxiliary:

(a) “Unlicensed dentist” – a graduate of an accredited dental school unless his/her license is under suspension or revocation by the board.

(b) “Dental student” – a dental student in good standing and currently enrolled in an accredited institution, upon recommendation from the dean.

(c) “Unaccredited foreign dental college graduate” – a graduate of a non-accredited dental school after admission to an accredited educational institution or program.

(d) “Certified dental assistant” – a certified dental assistant if he/she has satisfactorily completed training in advanced remediable intra-oral dental tasks and/or procedures through an accredited educational institution or program whose educational standards are recognized and/or accredited by the American dental association commission on accreditation. The curriculum must include clinical experience.

(e) “Licensed dental hygienist” – a graduate of an accredited dental hygiene program if he/she has satisfactorily completed training in advanced remediable intra-oral dental tasks and/or procedures through an accredited educational institution or program whose educational standards are recognized and/or accredited by the American dental association commission on dental accreditation, unless her license is under suspension or revocation. The curriculum must include clinical experience.

(f)“Unlicensed dental hygienist” – a graduate of an accredited dental hygiene program if he/she has satisfactorily completed training in advanced remediable intra-oral dental tasks and/or procedures through an accredited educational institution or program whose educational standards are recognized and/or accredited by the American dental association commission on dental accreditation, unless his/her license is under suspension or revocation. The curriculum must include clinical experience.

Contact the Commission on Dental Testing for More Information on the EFDA State Board

The Commission Secretary:

Vicki Baldini – (614) 921-0892

* Please leave a message concerning your request for the commission secretary. She will get back to you in a timely fashion.