1. Is a Career AS An expanded Duty Dental Assistant for you?
Here are some answers to your questions!

2. Facts You Should Know
Infectious disease transmission can pose significant concerns in the dental workplace
All dental healthcare workers must understand the basic principles of disease transmission, infection control, and safety to minimized the risks associated with exposure to biohazardous agents.
To ensure an understanding of the risks presented and to implement safe work practices, federal regulations require that all healthcare professionals participate in specific training in infection control practices for exposure to an handling of biohazardous materials.

3. Facts You Should Know
Upon entering Dental Health Professions, the students are given a training session that includes, but not limited to, an explanation of the Bloodborne Pathogens Standard, the Exposure Control Plan, hazard communication, engineering controls, work practice controls and personal protective equipment.
The Exposure Control Plan and the Bloodborne Pathogen standard are available to all students, faculty and staff in Programs’ Policy Manuals.

4. What is an Extended Duty Dental Assistant?
The Expanded Duty Dental Assistant (EDDA) Program prepares the student to become an essential member of the dental team. The student learns current infection control practices, concepts of four-handed dentistry, radiography techniques and techniques for providing preventive oral hygiene services.

5. Typical Duties Obtains and charts patient’s dental health and history
Takes and documents vital signs
Exposes, develops and interprets x-rays
Performs chair side dental procedures

6. Typical Duties Prepares dental tray set-ups for all dental procedures
Assists dentist in all dental procedures using four-handed dentistry
Performs coronal polish on supragingival tooth structures and polish restorations
Takes impressions, pours and trims study models

7. Typical Duties Makes and cements temporary coverings
Applies topical medication prescribed by the dentist
Applies pit and fissure sealants
Instructs patients in home care procedures
Gives post-operative instructions
Implements emergency procedures and administers first aid including CPR

8. Working Hours
Working hours range from 32 to 40 hours per week.

9. What are the steps to enrollment in the Expanded Duty Dental Assisting Program?

10. PROCEDURES Health and liability insurance Criminal Background check
Complete and submit a York Technical College Application
Take the placement test or submit SAT/ACT scores
Submit college transcripts (if applicable)
Meet with an Admissions Counselor
Be accepted to the Pre-EDDA program
Work with your advisor each term
Meet requirements for program goal
Meet with an member of the Enrollment Services Team
Pay the $50.00 wait list fee
Pay the $ deposit when seat is available
Maintain 2.0 GPR each semester
Fulfill entry criteria
Physical Exam
Health and liability insurance
Criminal Background check
Drug Testing

11. Fulfill entry criteria
Physical Assessment
Proof of two MMR vaccinations AND Rubella titer is required or if no proof of MMR is available you must have titers for each(Measles, Mumps, and Rubella)
Varicella (Chicken Pox) titer required
Proof of Diphtheria-Tetanus Booster (Last booster must have been received within the past 10 years.)
Hepatitis B vaccination is recommended (Documentation of declination is required if student does not have the vaccine.)
Proof of 2 step PPD within 3 months prior to entry of program is required.
Physician’s evaluation

12. Courses To Take In High School
Algebra
Biology
Chemistry
College Preparatory English

13. What job opportunities exist?

14. Dental Offices
Schools
Hospitals
Civil Service offices
Dental Mobile Unit

15. What salary will I make after completing this program?
EDDA’s earn anywhere from $14.00 to $18.00/hour. Assistants will earn more if they are Certified Dental Assistants.

16. Things To Consider
Curriculum is rigorous – requires extensive reading, study time and good time management skills.
Program runs concurrently – starts only once each fall; if you withdraw or fail an EDDA course, you have to reapply to be able to reenter
Critical thinking required on the job
Stress level – medium to high
Must be a team player as well as able to work independently
Very interesting and rewarding field of study

17. Make An Informed and Realistic Choice EDDA’s have good, enjoyable jobs in a nice environment, but:
You need to realize there are more harmful bacteria in the mouth than any other orifice of the body.
You may work on patients with pus coming out from under the gum which gives off a foul odor.
You need to realize that every patient you see has the potential to transmit HIV, TB, or herpes despite what they tell you or how they look.
You may see patients, including children with badly decayed teeth and know they have no funding.

18. How much time should I expect to spend in this program to be successful?

19. The program is very demanding!
The program is a full-time, Monday through Friday, daytime program.
Between the coursework and the clinical rotations, successful students should plan to devote approximately 40 hours per week each semester to their education.

20. This schedule can make it challenging to be employed full-time while enrolled in the program.
For students who must work, it is highly recommended that they work no more than 20 hours per week.

21. How stressful is the clinical environment?

22. The program can be quite stressful
The program can be quite stressful. Classroom material must be retained for the clinical setting where students are acquiring hands-on skills to make the connection between theory and practice. Students must be willing to become motivated, independent learners and accept constructive criticism while in the clinical setting.

23. What are the physical
requirements for this field?

24. Good hand dexterity
Use of feet to operate equipment
The ability to sit or stand for long durations of time

25. What type of special skills do I need to possess in order to be a successful EDDA?

26. Responsible/reliable
Flexible/adaptable
Good communication skills
Like working with people and equipment
Strong interest in science
Able to apply principles of logical or scientific thinking
Able to interpret an extensive variety of technical instructions and forms

27. Make an INFORMED and REALISTIC CHOICE
The grading scale for the EDDA program for both coursework and clinicals:
Students MUST maintain a MINIMUM grade point average of 70 in all EDDA coursework in order to remain in the program.
A minimum of 70 is required in all clinical coursework. Below 70 is considered unacceptable clinical performance.

28. In other words…
Students who earn any grade below an 70 in any EDDA course will not be eligible to continue.
It is very difficult for students to work more than 20 hours per week and be successful in this program.

29. What are the estimated expenses for the program?

30. Tuition & fees for three semesters (in county) $9,868
Textbooks $1,160
Uniforms $400
Universal Protection Kit $ 600
Instruments & Supplies $1,820
Liability Insurance $15
Health Insurance ( varies) $600 Physical Exam (varies) $600
Eye Exam ( varies) $75
Dental Exam ( YTC Dental Clinic) $35
Hepatitis B Vaccination (Required) $420
CPR Certification $50
National ADDA Student Dues $35
Certification Exam (DANB)
Infection Control $250
Radiology $250
Chairside $250
TEAS Test $90
Criminal Background Check $54.50
Drug Screening $30.00
Graduation Fee/Cap/Gown $35
Transportation to clinical sites (varies)
Nitrous Oxide Certification $30

31. Will I be required to complete additional training once I become a Expanded Duty Dental Assistant?
Continuing education in the form of workshops, classes, etc., is the norm for all medical professionals and is required to maintain licensure.

32. Can You Picture Yourself in a Career As an EDDA?

33. If so, you may have additional questions.
Please feel free to contact:
Edna Martin Program Manager, at