EDDA (Expanded Duty Dental Assistant) certification is the “next step” for dental assistants who want to expand their capabilities in dental practice. EDDA certification is designed to provide dental assistants with the knowledge and skills they need to perform expanded duty dental assisting functions as specified by Louisiana law.

The expanded duty dental assistant (EDDA) course is the “next step” for assistants who want to expand their capabilities in the dental practice. This course is designed to provide dental assistants with the knowledge and skills they need to perform expanded duty dental assisting functions as specified by Louisiana law. Hands-on exercises will be performed in the laboratory to reinforce the material presented in the lectures (whether online or in person or a combination). Each participant will be given and must pass a post-course examination to determine their competency.

Upon successful completion of this course and examination and submitting a post-course evaluation, participants will receive a verification of participation letter/certificate. 

Course Learning Objectives:

• What is EDDA?
• Jurisprudence
• Infection Control & Disease Prevention
• OSHA rules
• How to handle dental emergencies
• Charting
• Oral Anatomy
• Dental Materials Overview
• Coronal Polishing
• Gingival Retraction Cords
• How to monitor nitrous oxide/oxygen sedation
• Placement of pit and fissure sealants
• How to take vital signs
• Isolation techniques

 

Hands-On Lab Objectives:

• Coronal Polishing
• Placement and removal of retraction cords
• Placement of cavity liners, temporary restoration, fabrications and placement of temporary crowns
• Perform acid-etch techniques
• Placement and removal of wedges and matrices
• Placement of pit and fissure sealants

You will need to submit the following four documents to the Louisiana State Board of Dentistry (LSBD) to receive your EDDA Certification.

1. Verification of Participation Letter for successfully completing a certified EDDA Training Course (LDA will provide that to you following the competition of your course with us)
2. The EDDA Application for Certification which can be found on the Louisiana State Board of Dentistry website.
3. Proof of successfully completing a Louisiana State Board of Dentistry-approved Radiology course (Take LDA's Radiology Course Here)
4.  A copy of a current BLS certification card- American Heart Association BLS (Basic Life Support) Provider or the American Red Cross BLS Healthcare Provider course

You will need to submit all four documents noted above along with your required application fee to the Louisiana State Board of Dentistry. DO NOT SUBMIT THESE DOCUMENTS TO THE LOUISIANA DENTAL ASSOCIATION. The Louisiana State Board of Dentistry is the certifying agency for EDDA in Louisiana.

After you have submitted a complete application form along with the required documents and fees to the LSBD, it could take several weeks for you to receive your EDDA certificate by mail.

‍To check the status of your application, call the LSBD at (225) 219-7330.

EDDA Course Cancellation & Transfer Policy (into effect as of November 2026 course date)

Because EDDA courses have limited enrollment and require advance planning for instructors, materials, equipment, assistants, and facilities, the following cancellation and transfer policy applies to all registrations.

Cancellations 30 or More Days Before the Course Start Date

Registrants who cancel 30 or more days before the course start date will receive a refund of the registration fee, less a $30 administrative processing fee.

Cancellation requests must be submitted in writing by email and received no later than 30 days before the course start date.

Cancellations 15–29 Days Before the Course Start Date

Registrants who cancel 15–29 days before the course start date will receive a 50% refund of the registration fee, less the $30 administrative processing fee.

Cancellation requests must be submitted in writing by email.

Cancellations 14 Days or Less Before the Course Start Date

No refunds will be issued for cancellations received 14 days or less before the course start date.

This includes cancellations due to illness, personal emergencies, work conflicts, travel issues, weather, transportation problems, late arrival, or any other reason.

Registration Transfers

If you are unable to attend your scheduled EDDA course, you may transfer your registration to:

• Another dental assistant, or
• Another available EDDA course date

Transfer requests must be submitted in writing and received at least 7 days before the scheduled course date.

Each registration may be transferred one time only. Once a registration has been transferred, it is not eligible for an additional transfer or refund. The transfer must be completed 1 year from the original course date. If it is not, that course fee will be nonrefundable.

Transfers are subject to date availability and are not guaranteed until confirmed by LDA.

Transfers Within 7 Days of the Course

Registration transfers will not be accepted within 7 days of the course start date.

Registrants who do not attend the course and have not completed an approved transfer before the 7-day deadline will forfeit the registration fee.

No-Shows

Failure to attend the course without providing written notice and completing an approved transfer before the applicable deadline will be considered a no-show. No refunds or transfers will be provided for no-shows.

Course Cancellation by LDA

If LDA cancels a course, registrants will be offered the option of:

1. Transferring their registration to another available EDDA course date; or
2. Receiving a full refund of the registration fee.

LDA is not responsible for travel, lodging, transportation, or other expenses incurred by registrants in connection with a course that is canceled or rescheduled.

How to Cancel or Request a Transfer

All cancellation and transfer requests must be submitted in writing by email to:

jeanne@ladental.org

Cancellation and transfer requests will not be accepted by phone. A cancellation or transfer is not considered approved until written confirmation has been provided by LDA.

By registering for an EDDA course, the registrant acknowledges and agrees to the cancellation and transfer policy above.

          Time Frame                                          Cancelation                                           Transfer

30+ days before course	Full refund minus $30	LDA Members: $150 transfer fee, Non-Members: $300 transfer fee
15-29 days before course	50% refund minus $30	LDA Members: $150 transfer fee, Non-Members: $350 transfer fee
8-14 days before course	No refund	LDA Members: $150 transfer fee, Non-Members: $400 transfer fee
0-7 days before course	No refund	LDA Members $150 transfer fee, Non-Members: no transfers
No shows on testing or in-person days	No refund	No transfers