Dental Health Programs Faculty Publication in the Journal of Dental Hygiene

The October edition of The Journal of Dental Hygiene has published a research manuscript titled, “Practice Patterns and Attitudes of Expanded Function Dental Auxillaries in the State of Maine,” by Dental Health Programs Associate Professor, Nancy Foster, Assistant Professor, Amanda Willette and corresponding author and former UMA-Bangor colleague, Danielle Furgeson, Clinical Assistant Professor and Graduate Director of Periodontics and Oral Medicine, University of Michigan, School of Dentistry.

This study examined various workforce models, including the expanded function dental auxillary (EFDA), created as a means to address the crisis in oral health access; and served to assess the geographic practice patterns and attitudes regarding the education of EFDA’s in Maine.

Conclusions included that EFDA practitioners are providing needed oral health care services, however they may not be providing access to care for the intended at-risk and underserved populations in designated geographic areas. The study also demonstrated a need to assess in greater depth the practice patterns of EFDAs in Maine.

Congratulations Professor Foster and Professor Willette!

View the full article [PDF]