The Expanded Functions Dental Assistant is a member of the oral health team. The program provides training on chairside assisting techniques and expanded functions in basic Restorative and Preventive Dentistry that enable students to successfully perform as Expanded Functions Dental Assistants (EFDA) in the public and the private sectors.
Upon completion of the program courses, students receive an Associate Degree in Expanded Functions Dental Assisting. This is a two-year program with a total of seventy-four (74) semester credit-hours. Students must complete the first year of general education courses at an accredited college or university (30 semester credit-hours). Professional courses are taken at the Medical Sciences Campus during the second year of studies. (44 semester credit-hours).
Admission Requirements
This program has a guaranteed transfer agreement with the University of Puerto Rico Carolina Campus as long as the student complies with the established academic progress criteria.
Applicants to this program must present evidence of courses completion within the following areas at an accredited college or university. For specific courses within each subject, please contact the Program.
Required Courses
| Courses | Credits |
|---|---|
| Spanish | 6 Semester Credit-Hours |
| English | 6 Semester Credit- Hours |
| Social Sciences or Humanities | 6 Semester Credit- Hours |
| Biological Sciences | 6 Semester Credit- Hours |
| Mathematics | 3 Semester Credit- Hours |
| Electives | 3 Semester Credit- Hours |
| Total | 30 Sem. Credit |
Students who wish to be considered for admission to this program must also meet the following requirements:
- Obtain a minimum General Grade Point Average at least 2.00 in required courses.
- Have a Grade Point Average of at least 2.0 in biological sciences and mathematics. Biological sciences and mathematics courses must be approved with a minimum course grade of “C” or above.
- Fluency in Spanish and knowledge and comprehension of English.
Graduation Requirements
In order to graduate the students must:
- Obtain a general grade point average of 2.00 or higher.
- Satisfactorily complete all didactic and clinical practice courses, as specified by the program.
Accreditation
Our college offers the only Dental Assisting Program in Puerto Rico fully accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation of the American Dental Association.
| Semester | Course Name | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| First Semester | ||
| AUXD2007 | Oral Embriology/Histology | 2 |
| AUXD 2015 | Dental Oral/Head and Neck Anatomy | 3 |
| AUXD 2017 | Microbiology/Pathology/Therapeutic | 3 |
| AUXD 2025 | Dental Radiology | 4 |
| PAXD 2010 | Intr. To General and Specialties Dental Procedures | 2 |
| PAXD 2015 | Dental Materials | 2 |
| PAXD 2016 | Dental Instruments | 2 |
| PAXD 2017 | Chairside Assisting and Basic Clinical Procedures Lab | 1 |
| PAXD 2018 | Expanded Functions in Preventive Laboratory | 2 |
| PAXD 2029 | Expanded Functions in Restorative Laboratory | 3 |
| Second Semester | ||
| AUXD 2005 | Anatomy and Physiology | 3 |
| AUXD 2020 | Psychology | 2 |
| AUXD 2225 | Practice Management, Ethic and Jurisprudence | 2 |
| PAXD 2024 | Expanded Functions in Preventive Dentistry Clinic | 2 |
| PAXD 2101 | Clinical Practice I | 4 |
| PAXD 2030 | Expanded Functions in Restorative Dentistry Clinic | 3 |
| Summer | ||
| PAXD 2102 | Clinical Practice II | 4 |
Course Descriptions
Informative Sheet
Seek Third-Party Comments
Job Opportunities
Rapid employment growth and above average job turnover should result in good job opportunities.
The types of practice settings available to dental assistant include:
- Solo dental practices
- Group practices
- Specialty practices
- Public health dentistry
- Dental school clinics
- Health Insurance companies
- Teaching at dental assistants schools
- Dental product sales representatives
Dental Assistants Earning Potential
Dental assistants earn salaries equal to other health care personnel. The salary of a dental assistant depends primarily upon the responsibilities associated with the specific position and the geographic location of employment.
Program Faculty
Zaira E. Figueroa Berrios, DMD, BA
Mirna L. Pacheco Rodríguez, Ed.D, MA, BHS, RDH, CDA
Blanca I. Rodríguez Calderón, Ph.D, M.Ed, BHS, RDH, CDA
Erick I. Román Rodríguez, MPH, BA, CDA
Jonathan E. Sotomayor Delestre, Ed.D, MA, BHS, CDA
Mailing Address
University of Puerto Rico
Medical Sciences Campus
School of Health Professions
Undergraduate Department
Expanded Functions Dental Assisting Program
PO Box 365067
San Juan, PR 00936-5067
Physical Address
Medical Center
Monacillo Area, Río Piedras, Puerto Rico
Medical Sciences Campus, Main Building, 1st Floor, Office B-110
Tel: (787) 758-2525, Ext. 1158, 1157
Fax: (787) 751-3061