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Program Overview
Madison College’s Expanded Function Dental Auxiliary (EFDA) certificate provides dental assistants with training to perform expanded duties outside of the work of a traditional dental assistant under the direction and supervision of a dentist.
Learn how to place and finish restorative material, pack cord, perform coronal polish, remove sutures and dressings, apply dental fluoride and sealants, take impressions, remove cement from crowns, make temporizations, adjust dentures and other removable oral appliances.
This program is for people who:
- Have at least two years of experience working as a chairside dental assistant OR
- One year and a CDA (Certified Dental Assistant).
In addition, to be a successful EFDA, you must be a detail-oriented, compassionate person with excellent communication and organizational skills.
Get Certified!
This certificate prepares you for EFDA Wisconsin state certification. After state certification, you will be prepared and qualified to work as an Expanded Function Dental Auxiliary, or EFDA.
Condensed and Flexible Program
Madison College designed the EFDA program for working dental auxiliaries.
The program takes less than a semester to complete, and you can start in Spring, Summer or Fall.
Classes are held outside of regular working hours, allowing you to remain committed to your full- or part-time employment.
The program’s hybrid format combines online coursework with in-person, hands-on training on Fridays and Saturdays from 8:30 am-3:20 pm at the Madison College Dental Clinic at our Truax campus.
Program Prerequisites
Dental Health Safety and Dental & General Anatomy are prerequisite courses. See the Curriculum and Experience section below for more details.
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Curriculum and Experience
Prospective program students, the information below reflects the basic requirements for students admitted for the 2024-2025 academic year. To learn more about Madison College, visit us.
Current and newly admitted program students, go directly to your Degree Progress Report to view:
- Progress toward your specific requirements
- Alternative (in lieu of) courses to meet specific requirements
If you have questions after reviewing your degree progress report (advisement report), please see Advising Services.
Required Courses -
Admission
Earning a certificate is a great way to expand your skill set, and it adds professionalism to a resume. Applications are always open, so apply today!
To Apply
Submit all application materials by the deadline.
International students who wish to apply for, maintain, or transfer their F-1 student visa status to Madison College are required to complete the International Admission Process.
Summer Application Dates
- Application open
- Application completion deadline is May 15, 2025
Fall Application Dates
- Application open
- Application completion deadline is August 31, 2025
Spaces in this certificate are limited. Submit your application materials as soon as possible. If admitted, register for classes at the earliest opportunity.
If the certificate reaches capacity, students will be accepted onto a waiting list.
Admission Requirements
1. Admissions Application
The online application allows you to save your work as you complete it and ensures fast, secure delivery to our office.
International students who wish to apply for, maintain, or transfer their F-1 student visa status to Madison College are required to complete the International Admission Process.
Submit the appropriate documents for review. These will be assigned in your myMadisonCollege To Do List after the application is submitted.
2. Employment Verification Form - This form verifies completion of the minimum hours practicing as a dental assistant from the supervising licensed dentist. Applicants must show the following:
a. Completion of at least 1,000 hours practicing as a dental assistant and holds the certified dental assistant credential issued by the Dental Assisting National Board, Inc., or its successor; or
b. Completion of at least 2,000 hours practicing as a dental assistant, as verified by the supervising licensed dentist.
3. Clinical Supervising Licensed Dentist Form - This form provides the name of the supervising licensed dentist to complete the clinical portion of the EFDA training. The supervising dentist must assess clinical skills to confirm EFDA competencies. This can be different from who confirmed the initial hours practicing as a dental assistant.
4. Dental Health Safety (10-508-101) and Dental & General Anatomy (10-508-304) completion. Courses must show on the student's record by one of the following:
a. Courses were previously completed at Madison College;
b. Transfer credit was posted for previously completed courses from another college that were approved by EFDA faculty as equivalent to the required Madison College courses; or
c. Credit was posted after passing the Prior Learning Assessment Challenge Exams.
Additional Notes
- Certificate programs are not eligible for financial aid
After Acceptance
Once you are admitted into your program, review the Start of Semester Checklist to prepare for your first day of classes at Madison College.
Questions?
Contact the Enrollment Center at EnrollmentServices@madisoncollege.edu or 608.246.6210.
Get Started!
Apply to Madison College and take the first step towards your Expanded Function Dental Auxiliary career.
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Career Outcomes
This certificate prepares you for EFDA Wisconsin state certification. After state certification, you will be prepared for valuable work as an Expanded Function Dental Auxiliary, or EFDA.
