Wondering if you should register for both DA and EDDA training or continue your education after working as a DA? Expanded Duties Dental Assisting (EDDA) enables you to perform additional job duties. This provides you with a positive challenge, while generating a higher salary, and adding more value to your dental practice.
What Is Expanded Duties Dental Assisting?
EDDA training can be completed at any time after standard DA training. AIDA’s DA Program is 13 weeks long, and the EDDA Program is an additional 7 weeks. Once your training is complete, you can provide the services below.
- Applying multiple techniques of Pit and Fissure Sealants.
- Fluoride Application.
- Placing multiple methods of isolation techniques for restorative dentistry of Matrix Systems.
- Place, condense, carve, finish, and polish Amalgam and Composite Restorations.
- Trim and polish intermediate crowns and bridges.
- Place temporary crowns and bridges.
How EDDA Compares to Standard Dental Assisting Job Duties?
If you’re new to the industry and aren’t sure what different job duties are, standard DA job duties are below.
- Ensuring patients are comfortable before and during their treatments.
- Patient intake, blood pressure, and pulse.
- Taking digital imaging (x-rays)
- Completing dental pantographs.
- Providing patients with follow-up care instructions.
- Assisting the dentist and hygienist during treatments.
- Infection control and sterilization.
- Clerical and administrative tasks.
Is EDDA a Certification?
No. In Colorado, there isn’t a certification requirement for DA or EDDA job duties. The state requires compliant training for both, either from a vocational school or under supervision in a dental practice. Identifying a dental practice willing to provide supervised training is rare. Providing training is time-consuming and costly. Not to mention, training isn’t every practice’s strong suit. At AIDA, preparing you for your new career is what we do!
With vocational education, you’re prepared for your new role. With our live patient clinic, you access hands-on training to excel. This improves first-day confidence and provides the assurance that dental assisting is the right career choice.
Required Testing
While there’s no certification for dental assisting, you must pass the DNAB Radiation Health and Safety Exam. This includes testing on the essentials of hygiene and sanitation, which is an essential part of your role. You’ll also need to obtain CPR/Basic Life Support (BLS) certification. AIDA’s curriculum prepares you for these tests.
What’s The Difference Between EFDA and EDDA?
In some states, continuing education is required for Expanded Function Dental Assisting (EFDA), which is similar to EDDA job duties. If you aren’t certain you’ll reside in Colorado long-term, or if you move outside of the state, you’ll need to determine what requirements you need to work either as a DA or an EFDA. Our program prepares you for DA testing and certification in any state.
Will I Make More Money With EDDA Training?
Yes! As an entry-level DA/EDDA, expect your starting salary to begin at about $1 more per hour than with DA training alone. It also makes your application stand out among entry-level applicants.
If you’re already working in a practice as a DA, your new skillset generates between $1 and $2 more per hour. Feel free to negotiate what your salary increase will be before you begin training.
According to Indeed, in Colorado:
- The starting salary for all dental assistants is around $18 per hour.
- The median salary for standard DAs is between $22 to $23 per hour.
- With EDDA training, the median salary rises to around $25 per hour.
- With EDDA training and tenure, the salary maxes out at $30 per hour.
Want to Learn More About EDDA Training?
If you want to learn more about continuing your education to include EDDA training, or about initial DA training—schedule a tour with the American Institute of Dental Assisting.
Most of our students continue to work while in school, which is why we offer evening and weekend classes and clinic hours.
We look forward to meeting you!