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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.
Condensed and Flexible Program
Madison College designed the EFDA program for working dental auxiliaries. The program’s hybrid format combines online coursework with in-person training, allowing you to continue your full- or part-time employment.
- Complete the program in less than a semester.
- Attend in-person, hands-on training on Fridays and Saturdays from 8:30 am - 3:20 pm.
- Classes are held at the Madison College Dental Clinic on our Truax campus.
The next cohort starts September 2.
Program Prerequisites
Dental Health Safety and Dental and General Anatomy are prerequisite courses that must be completed before core program classes. After applying, you will have the opportunity to indicate how you meet these requirements to earn credit for prior learning.
Clinical Supervising Dentist Requirements
The EFDA Program requires a Wisconsin-licensed dentist as a mentor/supervisor. The dentist’s responsibilities include:
- Supervising the EFDA student throughout the program.
- Identifying appropriate procedures for the student to complete to meet course requirements.
- Evaluating and providing written feedback on clinical skills.
Work with your supervising licensed dentist to complete the Clinical Supervising Dentist Form.
Clinical Faculty Observation
The EFDA Clinical course requires a faculty observation.
EFDA faculty will work with the student and office to find a date and time to come observe the EFDA student providing restorative work to a patient. The faculty may also discuss your progress with your supervising dentist.
Questions
Contact the Program Director, Tenielle Johnson at tjohnson64@madisoncollege.edu.
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Curriculum and Experience
Prospective program students, the information below reflects the basic requirements for students admitted for the 2025-2026 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.
Fall 2025
- Application open
- Application completion deadline is August 31, 2025
Space in this certificate is 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.
Get Started!
Apply to Madison College and take the first step towards your Expanded Function Dental Auxiliary career.
2. Submit the Appropriate Documents for Review
After submitting your application, you will have a To-do list in your myMadisonCollege account to complete before entering the program. This includes:
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:
- 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
- Completion of at least 2,000 hours practicing as a dental assistant, as verified by the supervising licensed dentist.
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.
Prerequisite Course Completion Form
Before entering core program classes, you must complete Dental Health Safety 10-508-101 and Dental and General Anatomy 10-508-304.
Credit for prior learning will be granted if:
- You completed these courses at Madison College in the past.
- You earned transfer credit for completing similar courses from another college that were approved by EFDA faculty as equivalent to the required Madison College courses.
- You can demonstrate your knowledge by passing Credit for Prior Learning Assessment Challenge Exam(s).
Additional Notes
Certificate programs are not eligible for financial aid.
This program does not meet the requirements for F-1 student visa support from Madison College.
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.
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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 (EFDA).
