Expanded Function Dental Assisting (EFDA) Program

Applications are now being accepted for April 2025

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University of Bridgeport’s Expanded Function Dental Assistant (EFDA) program is designed for dental professionals who aspire to expand their skills and advance their careers. This continuing education program offers comprehensive training and hands-on experience in advanced dental procedures, including:

• Applying sealants
• Placing composite and amalgam restorations
• Coronal polishing
• Applying topical anesthesia and topical fluoride treatments
• And more!

Learn from experienced dental professionals who bring real-world expertise into the classroom. Beginning in the spring of 2025, you can gain practical experience with the latest dental technology and techniques in our state-of-the-art facilities.

Delta Dental SMILE Workforce

Advance your dental career

When you complete this comprehensive program, you’ll increase your job opportunities and earning potential in the field of dental assisting. This hybrid EFDA program runs from April to August. You will complete your coursework online and attend on-campus clinical lab sessions once or twice per month. For your convenience, on-campus sessions are offered on either a Friday or a Saturday, depending on the month.

Admission requirements

This selective admissions program will run each summer session and will be open to 20 students per session. Applications with a current CDA status will be given preference for admission to the program.

Requirements for EFDA status in Connecticut may be completed in any order. This program will satisfy the following requirement:

Successfully complete an expanded function dental assistant program at a higher education institution accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation (CODA) that includes educational courses related to didactic and laboratory preclinical objectives and at least four hours of education in ethics and professional standards for dental professionals and a comprehensive clinical exam administered by the higher education program at the conclusion of the program.

Meet the faculty