Louisiana Dental Assistant Requirements

Expanded Duty Dental Assistant Requirements

To perform expanded functions under the direct supervision of a licensed dentist in the state of Louisiana, a dental assistant must earn status as an Expanded Duty Dental Assistant (EDDA). To qualify, one must:

1a. Complete an expanded duty dental assisting program approved by the Louisiana State Board of Dentistry (LSBD), OR
1b. Graduate from a CODA-accredited dental assisting program, providing documentation that training was provided in all functions which EDDAs are allowed to perform (If a dental assistant’s training is deemed inadequate, the assistant must undergo remediation in a Louisiana board-approved program), AND

2. Complete a Louisiana State Board of Dentistry-approved radiography course (see "Radiography Requirements"), AND 

3. Hold current approved BLS certification, AND

4. Apply to the Louisiana State Board of Dentistry for confirmation of EDDA certification

The Louisiana State Board of Dentistry only recognizes the Expanded Duty Dental Assistant (EDDA) certificate earned through the EDDA course taught at the Louisiana State University (LSU) School of Dentistry, the University of Louisiana at Monroe (ULM) and Southern University at Shreveport.

Note: A dental assistant who has been employed by a licensed, practicing dentist and has worked as a dental assistant prior to July 30, 1992, may continue performing the following expanded duties (under the direct, on-premises supervision of the dentist) without registering as an EDDA:     

• Place and remove retraction cords
• Apply cavity liners, excluding capping of exposed pulpal tissue
• Place and remove periodontal dressings
• Place, wedge or remove matrices for restoration by the dentist