What is the EDA?

This specialisation is based entirely on skills and knowledge (i.e. it is results-driven), unaffiliated to institutions, professional boards or universities.
Every dental practitioner and dental technician is thus able to choose the courses that best complement their knowledge and expertise. Uniquely this specialist focus enables established colleagues to freely maintain their continuing professional development at a high level while also incorporating international trends. Thus the requirements and particular features of their own practices can be taken into account on an individual basis.
For this purpose, the EDA sets out guidelines for specialisation in the individual disciplines. Compliance with these guidelines forms the basis for applicants as they demonstrate that they have completed an appropriate number of CPD hours in terms of theory and practice and it is a prerequisite for a practical and theory exam.

The EDA offers two different forms of membership. Firstly individual membership, which is intended for candidates for specialisation and dental practitioners and dental technicians who are already specialised. Secondly, membership for associations, organisations and institutions offering high-quality continuing professional development for dentists as well as candidates from industry.

In plain language: every dental practitioner and dental technician – working on a full-term basis in their own practice or laboratory – who has appropriate knowledge and expertise and can prove a sufficient number of cases and CPD hours, may register for the exam to gain EDA specialisation without having to neglect their dentistry work.

What can you expect from EDA today?
The EDA supports the endeavour to guide the largest possible number of dentists and dental technicians from a benefits-oriented dentistry into a findings-oriented and transparent dentistry that is able to establish and assert itself in the healthcare market.

Candidates examined in the different disciplines by the EDA on a results-oriented basis are awarded the title of EDA Specialist as a demonstration of their skills and knowledge. They are provided with a valuable communication platform for evaluating dentistry services.
A second title level (Certified) is also available.

A diagnostic compendium has been created so that evolving and expanding dentistry topics can be communicated and discussed in a professional setting.
The relevant exam guidelines are also fine-tuned continually through annual consensus statements. EDA Specialists are urged to incorporate their knowledge into these “programmes of study” as lecturers.

Professional associations listed as institutional members organise CPD activities in the form of single courses and entire curricula. The EDA itself does not offer any continuing professional development courses.