Are you a Dental Assistant, looking to enhance your knowledge and skills as a dental professional?
Harcum College provides opportunities for greater earning potential and job satisfaction through our Continuing Studies Expanded Functions Dental Assisting program. An Expanded Functions Dental Assistant (EFDA) is responsible for all of the tasks of a Dental Assistant, as well as placing and carving amalgam and composite restorations, placing sealants, coronal polishing and application of fluoride. The EFDA may also place bases and liners as well as place and remove matrix bands, wedges and rubber dams.
EFDA I (Lecture/Lab) Saturdays
January 18, 2025 - May 3, 2025 Saturdays from 8:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. Location: Academic Center, Room B-11
No longer accepting applications for Summer 2025 May 10, 2025 - August 23, 2025 Saturdays from 8:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. Location: Academic Center, Room B-11
Now accepting applications for Fall 2025 August 30, 2025 - December 13, 2025 Saturdays from 8:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. Location: Academic Center, Room B-11
EFDA II (Clinical) Registration for this required clinical component follows successful completion of EFDA I lecture and lab and must be taken in subsequent semester. Location: Completed in Office
About the Program The Continuing Studies EFDA program consists of the two EFDA courses described below. During the program, students also learn the dental law and the rules and regulations of the State Board of Dentistry. Upon successful completion of both courses, participants will be eligible to apply for EFDA Certification from the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. Once approved by the Board, the student can register to take the Pennsylvania EFDA Certification Examination.
The Pennsylvania State Board of Dentistry requires each applicant for licensure or certification to have a national practitioner data bank query completed within 90 days of submission to the Board. A criminal history may prevent EFDA certification. Please contact the SBOD for further information.
EFDA I & EFDA I Lab- DA 260 $4,875
This is a 15 week course which is designed as an intensive introduction to the basics of restorative dentistry for the Dental Auxiliary, including rubber dam applications; placing, carving, and finishing amalgam restorations; light cured composite restorations, placement of sealants, coronal polishing and application of fluoride, and crown and bridge temporary restorations. Skills are attained through both lecture and hands-on technical laboratory sessions.
Prerequisites: Current BLS Healthcare Provider CPR certification, PA radiology certification, COVID vaccination, minimum of two years full-time recent dental assisting experience, successful completion of assessment tests, current employment in restorative dental practice
Download the assessment test Study Guide.
EFDA II- DA 261 $1,950
After successful completion of EFDA I & EFDA I Lab, the student will gain clinical experience performing expanded functions in their current practice for 15 weeks. The student must have the support of the supervising dentist and complete certain procedures while in the practice. In addition, there will be several on campus meetings, one including the dentist.
Prerequisites: DA 260, Current BLS Healthcare Provider CPR certification DA 261 must be taken the semester immediately following successful completion of DA 260 or the student will need to repeat DA 260 before taking DA 261.
Prerequisites for Admission
Instructors: Theresa Groody, EFDA, CDA, DHSc; Gino Martin, EFDA, CDA, BS
Course Fees, Application, Payment, and Cancellation Policy The EFDA program tuition is approximately $5,690, depending on the supplies a student requires. The cost is calculated by the per-credit hour tuition price set at Harcum each year and is subject to change. Applicants may be eligible for private education loans and are free to borrow from the lender of their choice.
The fees, subject to change, are as follows:
There is a $100 non-refundable deposit required prior to being registered and considered enrolled. Once registered students will receive log-in information for Power Campus. This Self-Service portal is where students can view bills and make payments. Tuition bills for summer are posted to Power Campus in April, bills for fall are posted in July, and bills for spring are posted in November. Payment is due in-full prior to class start. Students with balances not paid by the due date indicated on their tuition bill will forfeit their registration and deposit. Drop Policy: Courses can be dropped until the end of the Add/Drop period for the term. In order to drop a class, students must complete an Add/Drop Form and give the form to their academic advisor who will return the form to the Office of Student Records. Courses dropped are subject to College’s Refund Policy listed below. If a student drops from the program any deposit made will be held on the student’s tuition account for one year. The deposit is forfeited if the student does not re-enroll within a year. Refund Policy: Prior to the end of add/drop - 100% refund Within one week after add/drop - 80% refund Within two weeks after add/drop - 40% refund After two weeks - No refund
Application: Application must be completed, all requirements must be met and tuition must be paid at least two weeks prior to start date of class. Students may register after all documentation has been submitted and they are cleared for registration. Registration form must be completed along with payment. Remember, registration is not considered complete until the full payment has been made. Completed registration secures students spot in the class.
Applications are submitted online.
Harcum College Dossie Cavallucci Director of Dental Assisting, EFDA & Continuing Studies EFDA 750 Montgomery Avenue Bryn Mawr, PA 19010-3476 Office: 610-526-6029 Fax: 610-526-6182
To ensure maximum results for each student, class size is limited. For further information contact:
Dossie Cavallucci Director of Dental Assisting, EFDA & Continuing Studies EFDA Phone: 610-526-6029 dcavallucci@harcum.edu