Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis offers an expanded functions for dental auxiliaries certification program that provides 52 hours of instruction. Students must be employed and have a certified dental assistant degree, be a dental assistant with at least two years of hands-on experience or be a board-certified dental hygienist. Students in the program learn about rubber dam techniques, dental terminology, anatomy, resin restorative placement techniques, amalgam restorative techniques and matrix techniques. Between eight-hour classes held every other Saturday, students must be able to practice these skills in their offices of employment. Students also are graded on exams.
Indiana University School of Dentistry
Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis
1121 W. Michigan St.
Indianapolis, IN 46202
317-274-7957
iusd.iupui.edu
The University of Florida College of Dentistry in Gainesville, Florida, offers an expanded functions for dental auxiliaries certification course. Students in the course must have at least one year of experience as a general practice chair-side dental assistant or hygienist. Students must demonstrate their competency with various procedures and complete written tests. The program teaches students how to take impressions for study models, place and remove rubber dams, place and remove periodontal dressings, apply fluoride and remove sutures. Other expanded functions include placing provisional restorations, placing bases and liners, packing and removing retraction cord, polishing clinical crowns, and obtaining cytological specimens. The program is 36 hours and includes instruction from Friday to Sunday.
University of Florida
College of Dentistry
1600 SW. Archer Road
Gainesville, FL 32610
352-273-5251
dental.ufl.edu
The University of Tennessee Health Science Center in Memphis offers both a restorative and prosthetic course that teach expanded functions for dental auxiliaries. The 96-hour restorative course consists of three weekly sessions, while the prosthetic course features two weekly sessions. The restorative course teaches students how to place amalgam, glass ionomer and composite resin restorations in teeth prepared by a dentist. The prosthetic course teaches students how to pack retraction cord, fabricate/place provisional restorations and obtain impressions for fixed and removable prosthetic appliances. Only licensed dental hygienists or registered dental assistants with at least two years of full-time experience can complete the courses.
University of Tennessee
Health Science Center
920 Madison Ave.
Memphis, TN 38163
901-448-5500
uthsc.edu/dentistry