Expanded Function Dental Assisting, Certificate

Admission Requirements

High School Diploma or General Equivalency Diploma (GED)
1 year full-time or 2 years part-time clinical experience with a CDA credential. An associate of science (AS) dental assisting student with CDA credential. A dental hygienist with RDH credential or Bachelor of Science (BS) dental hygiene student with RDH credential.
Hold current RDH or CDA
Identify a sponsoring dentist(s) for the EFDA student, who is to attend calibration session and to be responsible for the clinical training after classroom training is complete.

UMA Certificate Requirements:

Minimum 50% of the required courses taken through UMA
Minimum 2.00 GPA

Expanded Function Dental Assisting Program Requirements:

Minimum Cumulative UMA GPA: 2.50 and a C- or higher in all courses applied towards degree completion.
Pass all courses applied toward degree credit with a C- or higher on first attempt or a student will be dismissed from the program
Upon completion of each course, student will earn Maine Category 1 CEU’s and/or Clinical Category DANB CEU’s, and the respective college credits.

Please note that the expanded function dental assisting course, can be used in lieu of the DEH 400 Practicum to fulfill a bachelor’s degree in dental hygiene.

Clinical Course Prerequisites:

Before entering the expanded function dental assisting program, students are required to have the following:

Complete physical examination within three months of entering the program.
Hepatitis B vaccination series initiated prior to the first clinical semester.
Current certification in Healthcare Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) or equivalent
Recent tetanus immunization (within ten years)
MMR Vaccine or Titer
PPD within one year
Varicella Zoster Vaccine or Titer

Orientation:

Before entering the preclinical portion of the expanded functions dental assisting program, students are required to attend a mandatory pre-clinical on-campus student orientation. Students will be informed of the meeting date during their registration meeting prior to the preclinical semester. Any student who does not attend the mandatory orientation risks forfeiting their seat in the program.

Applicants considering expanded functions dental assisting need to be aware that this program is academically rigorous and physically demanding, requiring long periods of time in a particular position, often standing or seated. Tasks require hand-eye coordination, visual acuity, fine motor dexterity and close focus vision.

Health Insurance:

Students are required to have medical insurance coverage and are responsible for any costs incurred in the event of an exposure incident.

Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR):

Students must obtain certification in healthcare-provider level cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and maintain it throughout their preclinical and clinical semesters. Students are advised to consult with the Dental Health programs Clinical and Laboratory Coordinator prior to enrolling in a CPR course, as not all courses meet this requirement.

Background Checks:

Applicants to the Expanded Functions Dental Assisting program should be aware that a criminal background check may be required prior to being awarded state licensure and as a condition of professional employment.

Course Requirements (8 Credit Hours):

All courses must be passed with a “C-” or better.

Advising Notes:

Students are encouraged to contact their faculty advisor and the Advising Center for academic advising and support services throughout their stay at UMA.