Licensure

The Pennsylvania State Board of Dentistry (SBOD) sets standard requirements for individuals wishing to obtain or renew a license or certificate to practice in the dental profession. As a condition of the biennial renewal of a license, each licensee shall be required to complete continuing education course.

Expanded Function Dental Assistants
Candidates for certification as expanded function dental assistants (EFDAs) must submit verification for one of the following:
* graduation with an Associate Degree from an EFDA program at a 2-year college or institution that is accredited by an accrediting agency approved by the U.S. Department of Education Council on postsecondary Accreditation
* graduation from a dental hygiene school accredited by the ADA Commission on Accreditation, at which a minimum of 75 hours of clinical and didactic instruction in restorative functions were completed
* completion of an EFDA certification program, including at least 200 hours of clinical and didactic instruction, from a program accredited by the ADA Commission on Dental Accreditation or an agency approved by the U.S. Department of Education Council on Postsecondary Accreditation
* EFDAs – 10 hours. At least 50 % of the required credit hours must be taken in lecture or clinical presentation, and a maximum of 50 % of the required credit hours may be taken through individual/home study.

Dental Assistants
The SBOD does not set any requirements or standards regarding the education or examination of dental assistants; however, radiological certification is necessary.

License and Certificate Renewal
Licenses and certificates are renewable biennially beginning April 1 of every odd-numbered year, for a fee charged by the SBOD.
EFDAs who fail to renew their licenses and certificates are prohibited from practicing their profession in Pennsylvania.

For more specific and detailed information, use this link:
http://www.portal.state.pa.us/portal/server.pt/community

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