Who can do fillings besides dentists?

I am very interested in dentistry... but I'm not sure if I want to do the whole dental school 'thing'. I don't want to be a hygienist or assistant, but would still like to be involved. I used to know a person who worked in a dental office and she was trained and certified to do fillings - I can't remember what her certification was called. Can you do this at any dental school? Is it worth it?

Who can do fillings besides dentists?
The last I knew... an Expanded Functions Dental Assistant (EFDA) in Pennsylvania could place dental fillings. An EFDA can NOT drill a tooth, but can place the filling after the dentist has done the drilling.





I just did a search on "Expanded Functions Dental Assistant" and it looks like there are many states that allow this.





(Don't bother searching "EFDA" as there are too many other things with those initials!)
Reply:Haha! It just goes to show ya... If you come to Yahoo! Answers - sooner or later you will get the right answer.





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Reply:I don't think anyone can
Reply:Never heard of anyone but a dentist being able to legally do fillings.
Reply:i think dentists only know
Reply:Maybe she was doing her residency...
Reply:You could be a denturists. Some states have people who just make dentures. I don't know what kind of schooling you need though.
Reply:you can be an orthodontis
Reply:Oh, I thought *you* needed a filling. I was going to suggest an autobody shop or a welder.
Reply:student dentists do them I think





pretty sure you have become a dentist to do fillings
Reply:Therapists can also do fills.
Reply:Look at these results: http://www.google.com/search?num=30%26amp;hl=e... Good Luck.
Reply:ONLY SOMEONE WHO HAS A LICENSE TO BE A DENTIST OR A DENTAL STUDENT LEARNING UNDER THE SUPERVISION OF A LICENSED INSTRUCTOR MAY DO FILLINGS. A THERAPIST DEFINITELY CAN'T!


YOU WERE PROBABLY THINKING OF A CERTIFIED DENTAL ASSISTANT - WHO'S NOT QUALIFIED TO DO FILLINGS.
Reply:I have known a few dental assistants who could do a real good job of filling teeth but they couldn't do it legally. I don't know of anyone who could make good money filling teeth except a dentist and it takes a lot of years and training. If you need assistance in going to school to be a dentist you can join the Army or Airforce Reserves and they will pay a pretty good sum for you to go to college while attending Reserve meetings especially if you have some college behind you and after you finish college you would agree to spend a certain amount of active duty in the Army or Air Force as a Captain, which is big pay starting out. If you wanted to do this you can check with your Army or Air Force Recruiter or probably the Navy or Marines have the same system.