Expanded Function Dental Auxiliary

Expanded Function Dental Auxiliary

Phoenix College Center for Continuing Dental Education offers a course for those interested in preparing for the Dental Assisting National Board written and applying for Arizona Expanded Functions – Restorative (AZRF) Certification. 

The expanded Function Dental Auxiliary program is a twelve (12) week program.  It requires self-study for the online component with weekly reading and quizzes.  The lecture and lab sessions will be held on Saturday from 8:00 am - 4:30 pm.  This program is designed to develop knowledge and skills in preparation for the DANB AMP, TMP, and RF exams along with the Arizona Restorative Function- Licensed Dentist Endorsement Form.

Participants will perform expanded function restorative procedures including but not limited to amalgam, composites, indirect, temporary restoration, stainless steel crown, occlusion considerations, cardiology, infection control, and caries prevention in a pre-clinical environment as defined by ARS 32-1291.01 (https://dentalboard.az.gov/applications-forms/other-applications). Open to those who are practicing Arizona dental assistants and Arizona licensed dental hygienists.

Prerequisites for Dental Assistants only: 

State of Arizona Coronal Polishing Certificate No Expiration Date

State of Arizona Radiology Certificate No Expiration Date

Prerequisites for Dental Hygienist only: 

*None 

Students enrolling in the 2025 Springl Expanded Function Dental Auxiliary/AZRF course MUST be registered no later than February 7, 2025, by the end of the business day. This date is firm due to the quantity of content in the course. Students must be comfortable with online instruction and testing technology, be self-directed, commit to 10-12 hours of weekly study time to read the textbook, and complete all activities and the online exams.

Important Dates & Times: Registration Deadline, February 7, 2025. The course begins in the Spring and Fall of every year.
 

  • Online Self Study weekly sessions and, Saturday in-person lectures & pre-clinic lab 
  • Saturdays, Lecture in the Healthcare Education Building – HE 235 8:00 am to 9:00 am.
  • Saturdays, Pre clinic lab sessions in the Healthcare Education Building - HE 201 9:15 am - 4:30 pm
  • Spring dates are 02/08/2025-05/03/2025

Enrollment is through the Phoenix College Admissions and Records Department:

Registration begins with student admission to Phoenix College, consisting of creating or updating a student account, applying for noncredit admission to the semester attending, and submitting a copy of identification for verification. Enrollment completion involves obtaining Phoenix College's special permission through the Dental Department.

***There are two class sections in which to register.  These are special permission classes, and you will be granted authorization to complete registration once an Expanded Function Dental Auxiliary (EFDA) Program interest form, student admission is completed in the enrollment center, and meet in-person or by conference call to discuss the EFDA/AZRF program at Phoenix College. 

The Two Sections are:

*You must enroll in BOTH classes

  1. DNT – Expanded Function Dental Assistant/Auxiliary Lecture & Lab, completion of the course earns 90 hours of CEUs
  2. DNT – Infection Control Review for Dental Expanded Functions, completion of the course earns 4 hours of CEUs

Important Dates & Times: Registration Deadline, February 7, 2025. The course begins in the Spring and Fall of every year.

  • Online Self Study weekly sessions and, Saturday in-person lectures & pre-clinic lab 
  • Saturdays, Lecture in the Healthcare Education Building – HE 235 8:00 am to 9:00 am.
  • Saturdays, Pre clinic lab sessions in the Healthcare Education Building - HE 201 9:15 am - 4:30 pm

Required Dental Materials:

Required Text: Modern Dental Assisting, 12th Edition, by Doni L. Bird, CDA, RDA, RDH, MA and Debbie S. Robinson, CDA, MS

Please note that 9th, 10th, or 11th text editions can be used.  All listed editions will provide the correct content for the course. The hardcover book (not the workbook) can be purchased new or used online from online sources. For Example, Amazon or eBay. This will allow the student the opportunity to continue their studies for the Dental Assisting National Board exams related to the Arizona Expanded Function Dental Assistant certification process.

Additional books, typodonts, and loupes will be provided for students to use during the course and are included in the tuition.     

High speed and Low speed (w/Contra Angle) handpiece. Students must provide these items on their own. Any 4-hole high-speed will work in Simlab. Below are images of examples; any handpiece brand is allowed in the Simlab. If students cannot provide these, please speak directly to the EFDA program coordinator, Carrie Gauntt. carrie.gauntt@phoenixcollege.edu

Optional Dental Supplies:

Table Mount/Bench Mount- Can be purchased to help students practice direct restoration outside of the dental clinic. You may purchase items new or used online. I HIGHLY RECOMMEND THIS TOOL FOR YOU TO PRACTICE AT HOME AND AT WORK

Limited Attendance: Class size is limited to 24.  The tuition fee must be paid in full, or a payment plan must be set up to avoid being dropped for nonpayment. If your company is paying for the course, please set this up with Student Business Services, as this requires a process different from self-pay. The courses listed are noncredit and do not qualify for financial aid. 

Lecture class and lab session location: Phoenix College Dental Clinic, 3144 N. 7th Avenue, Phoenix, AZ 85013 (Corner of 7th Avenue and Flower Street, south of Osborn Road)

Tuition: $3500

Exam: A separate examination and certificate application & fee by the Dental Assisting National Board (DANB), are required to obtain a valid Arizona State Expanded Function - Restorative certificate by DANB. Visit https://www.danb.org/ for more information

To qualify for and receive the AZRF certificate, one must:

  1. Hold the Arizona Coronal Polishing and Arizona Radiologic Proficiency certificates, AND
  2. Successfully complete an ASBDE-approved EFDA training course; AND
  3. Pass DANB’s Anatomy, Morphology and Physiology (AMP)**, Temporaries (TMP), and Restorative Functions (RF)exams ; AND
  4. Apply for the AZRF certificate by submitting a completed application with the required documentation to DANB
  5. Visit https://www.danb.org/ for more information.

**A Registered Dental Hygienist (RDH) is not required to take the RHS, CP, and AMP DANB exams. 

Phoenix College does not have information on former/current EFDA or similar credentials, so they seek information on the reciprocity process through DANB.  Please visit DANB at https://www.danb.org/ for the most recent information.

Complete New Student enrollment or update existing student Information in your student tools.

 

Enrollment for the Expanded Function Dental Auxiliary program includes:

  • Applicants will be contacted to set up an in-person meeting or conference call with the EFDA Coordinator to discuss the enrollment process at Phoenix College.
  • Class permission to complete the enrollment process will be submitted for those who have completed the prerequisites.    

For EFDA course offering inquiries, call: Carrie Gauntt, EFDA program coordinator, at 602-285-7957 or email efda@phoenixcollege.edu

Expanded Functions Dental Auxiliary Video