Assessing Expanded Function Dental Assistants (EFDAs) and Their Role in Access to Oral Health Services

Expanded Function Dental Assistants (EFDAs) have the potential to increase dental practice capacity and improve access to oral health services. However, there is substantial state variation in what EFDAs are allowed to do, how they are educated and credentialed, and the level of supervision required.

Dentists often delegate fewer tasks to EFDAs than legally permitted. In a large survey, delegation of expanded functions was substantially higher in group practices and in states with more permissive laws, but researchers found that, overall, dentists underutilized allied personnel despite generally positive views of their impact on quality and efficiency. Delegation patterns also vary by procedure type, provider characteristics, and practice setting, reinforcing the importance of workplace culture and training.

This research will assess the associations between EFDA workforce availability, regulatory environments, dentists’ support for expanded functions, and oral health access and outcomes across states.