Madison College celebrated the opening of a new Expanded Function Dental Auxiliary (EFDA) and Dental Assistant clinic in the Health Education Building on Sept. 19. The clinic will assist in the training of students completing the EFDA certificate program.
According to Tenielle Johnson, Dental Assistant and EFDA Program Director, those certified in EFDA in Wisconsin have different capabilities than those certified as traditional dental assistants.
For instance, an EFDA certification enables someone to put fillings and sealants on teeth, adjust appliances such as dentures and use various fluorides.
Johnson notes that there are many positives for both the person certified in EFDA themselves as well as for the clinic that they are placed in.
First, those who choose a career in EFDA report having a high job satisfaction. In addition, someone with EFDA training is able to take on more tasks than someone with a dental assistant certification. Hence, an EFDA certified person on site can take some of these tasks off the hands of the dentist. In turn, the dentist can put that saved time towards more complicated issues.
Clinics that incorporate EFDA personnel are often able to generate more profit and operate more efficiently

Johnson said that there are many special features in the Madison College clinic space.
“There are 15 fully functional operatories in the space, state of the art sterilization, a student workspace and a technology space,” she said.
Another cool feature is a piece of equipment that scans a patient’s mouth to gather information to create an appliance. You may remember having a “putty” impression made for creating something like a retainer. With this scanner, that’s not needed anymore.
She notes students are getting the chance to get hands-on experience on the exact type of machines that they will encounter in their real-world clinic placements.
Johnson said the space is a hit with the dental students.
“Folks love the high tech look and new technologies,” Johnson said. “Students say they are spoiled in the new space and are thrilled to be the first to learn in the new space. It has been a great refresh to the School of Health Sciences, and students have been asking questions about the dental programs.”
Johnson said for those with a Dental Assistant certification, an EFDA certification might be a good next step. She said if you have a passion for helping dentists and patients and are good with your hands and have good listening skills, you will be set up for success in the career.
With this in-demand career, you will likely experience high job satisfaction and income potential and good work life balance. Not to mention you can also take advantage of the new space while training at Madison College.
Johnson believes the new clinic will bring many positive outcomes. It will enable dental assistants to experience career growth and help with fill workforce shortages.
At the end of the day, Johnson said, the goal is to make sure that dental care is accessible to all Wisconsin families.