Since 2011, I have helped over 200 students pass the EFDA board. It has been a privilege to teach them and I have enjoyed the opportunity. Now I tutor students professionally.
If you are a past student and would like to share a testimonial, feel free to do so here. I might want to feature you in a post or podcast one day. Only your first name and last initial will be on the website.
What you might include:
- A picture of yourself is preferred
- Explain how long you wanted to become an EFDA and why.
- What challenges did you face or what obstacles did you overcome to achieve your EFDA goal?
- Did my teaching style promote learning? If so, how?
- Did I help you in a special way? If so, how?
- How has becoming an EFDA improved your life?
Also, I will need your address because I need you to mail my release form back to me after signing so that I can legally use your testimonial etc… (or contact me and I will explain the email method)
Thank you in advance. Please comment below. Cathy, MA, RDH, EFDA
© 2017-present, DENTALTUTOR4ME®, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
Hey everyone,
I passed not only my E.F.D.A class but I also passed my boards!
And I could not have done it without the help of Ms. Cathy M! I was struggling in class at first, making really low grades because to be honest, I just did Not have the sufficient time to study due to working two jobs and going to school.
So I reached out to Cathy who helped me tremendously! I APPRECIATE the fact that she would take time out of her day to answer any of my questions and give me pointers and tips when I needed them.
She was always so positive and as a matter of fact, I think she believed in me more than I believed in myself.
Not only did she get me through school and the boards but she also helped me rearrange my resume and gave me tips for my interview!
I really owe you a lot, Cathy and appreciate everything you’ve done for me.
To future students, I would recommend that if you’re thinking about becoming an E.F.D.A, Cathy would be the best thing that ever happen to you if you start to fall behind or struggle with comprehending the material.
I would like to thank you, Cathy, from the bottom of my heart. I only wish the best for you and your family. I will continue to do you proud.
Kelley G.
(Kelley, It has been my pleasure to help you through this journey and on to your next job. So happy for you, Cathy)
© 2017-present, DENTALTUTOR4ME.COM®, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
A year ago, I registered to take the CDA exam. I had not attended school for dental assisting; I was trained on the job. However, I tried to study for the exam on my own but found that I was struggling with understanding and retaining the study material. I began to reach out for help with exam preparation and Cathy M., a dental instructor, was recommended.
I began studying with Cathy. She provided a variety of PowerPoint presentations, videos, vocabulary material, study guides, verbal review material, and practice tests. Her constant review of all the material helped me the most. She recognized the areas I had difficulty with and always found a way to explain it using “understandable” language and she presented it with a different perspective. Her real life/metaphoric examples helped me dissect, understand and retain the information, not just memorize it. She was always available and willing to answer any of my questions.
I took the state board exam and passed it on my first attempt. There were not any competencies or areas on the exam that Cathy had not covered and prepared me for. She gave me the support and confidence to succeed. I owe much of my exam success to Cathy’s encouragement and commitment to my achievement.
Jordan T., CDA
(Congratulations, Jordan- You’ve been a fantastic student- Cathy)
©2017, DENTALTUTOR4ME.COM™, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
Check out this story from a busy student and member of dentaltutor4me.com.
I passed my EFDA boards
I am a full time worker, student, mother of a 1 and 3 year old, and my husband works out of town a lot. I was having trouble finding time to study and when I did, my boys were always messing with my notes and books.
I heard about dentaltutor4me from another student and decided to join. Cathy had videos to listen to which were extremely helpful to me. I was able to listen to them and study while driving, doing the dishes, and while giving the boys a bath etc. She gave all the material that I needed to know in short increments. (15 min. here and there) She also had quizzes to take and illustrations that were very informative.
Cathy not only helped me pass the EFDA class but also prepared me for everything I needed to know for boards. She even made videos of how to place restorations and gave good techniques to use as well as placement tips.
Cathy has been great and I will miss hearing her voice and all the positivity that she always brought to teaching.
You are wonderful at what you do, Cathy and I wish you nothing but the best of luck. You made such a difference for me and I am very grateful. I can’t wait to start my new career as an EFDA. It will be so rewarding for both my family and for me. I couldn’t have done it without you!!
Emily W.
(Thank you so much, Emily. I wish you much success in your future and new EFDA career. CM)
© 2017-present, DENTALTUTOR4ME.COM®, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
“I Passed the Written and Clinical Board Exams”
I have been a Dental Assistant for 5 years. I am 43 years old and going back to school for me has been a roller coaster of emotions.
Cathy has helped me in so many ways. Cathy is not just a tutor but a person that really cares about her students and has a passion for teaching.
DentalTutor4Me has been a go to site for me. One of the great things about the site is convenience. I would get on the site in the mornings before I would go to work, in the evenings before bed and on my lunch from my workplace.
Passing tests was made so much easier. Cathy made sure I was prepared.
It is nerve wracking enough to go back to school after years of being out. If I had a hard time understanding something I could rewind and watch as much as needed.
I am so EXCITED!!! to say I passed the Written and Clinical Board Exams at OHIO STATE !!! Thank You, Cathy, for all your help with becoming an EFDA. Sincerely, Becky S.
(You have been a great student, Becky. I wish you much success in your EFDA career, Cathy)
© 2017-present, DENTALTUTOR4ME.COM®, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
Becky L
I wanted to become an EFDA ever since I started Dental Assisting seven years ago. I really wanted to further my career. As I entered EFDA school I found out that I was pregnant. It was tough doing both, but Cathy really helped me through it. She is an amazing teacher! I’m not sure if not for her encouragement and patience with me during this time that I would have passed my state board the first time. She really understood what we needed to know to pass that test, so at the end it was not as hard as I had imagined, I was well prepared! I have been an EFDA for a little over a year now. I enjoy it a lot, but it is still a challenge. I feel like it is a huge learning curve that does get easier over time. I miss other aspects of Dental Assisting, but doing this my income has doubled.
I am so happy to hear from you, Becky. I appreciate so much your kind words and am pleased that you have seen a nice income increase since becoming an EFDA. Keep learning and thanks again, c
I became an EFDA in 2012 under Cathy’s instruction. I have been a hygienist since 2008, and the dentist I work for inspired me to become an EFDA just to help her out in her busy office. She supported my schooling and now I do EFDA work all day every day. I can honestly say I enjoy being an EFDA so much more than doing hygiene every day. My day is not so monotonous and I get to use artistic skills to create, shape and form cusps and grooves in teeth. I love my job again.
If not for Cathy’s teaching, I would have not felt so confident with my skills and have been able to pass the board exam. Cathy helped coach me and encourage me every class. She saw that I had good skills (even though I couldn’t see them) and taught me how to be confident in myself and my skill set. I remember in our class, she told us to write down 5 things to say to ourselves daily in the mirror. For example, “I WILL pass the exam. I WILL have good contact. My margin will NOT break!” I told myself these over and over during the exam and passed with flying colors. The power of positive thinking. And she had a lot of that!
Cathy was always so positive and encouraging. She never got flustered and always had something constructive to tell us when we were evaluated. She was probably one of the best instructors I have had throughout my dental career. Cathy made clear to us what we would have to know and do on tests, exams and the board exam. I was very prepared and ready to become certified!
Hi Jenna,
It is so nice to hear from you after several years. I really appreciate your kind words and am so happy you are doing well and loving your job. Blessings to you and your family and Thank You so much, c
I wanted to become an EFDA actually when I found out the hygiene wait list was so long. So I decided well I could do the EFDA program while I’m waiting and then I’ll be well rounded. I faced a huge challenge while in this process. I took the EFDA program once, at another school, who did not know what they were doing and we all failed all 3 times, and now that school is closed. Not giving up and taking the course a second time was the best decision I ever made. Thanks to Cathy and her wonderful teaching abilities, I passed first time around. She is a very great teacher and really pushes to make sure everyone is understanding. She helped me in so many ways. Making extra time for me if I needed help and mainly keeping me motivated to not give up that I can do this!!! I’m now an EFDA and I love it, it has changed my life in so many ways, as far as pay, finding jobs and sub positions , how much you can do in the office and many more! Thank you Cathy!
So nice to hear from you Jamie,
I am proud of your hard work and “stick to it” attitude. It has really paid off for you. Have a wonderful family time this thanksgiving and thank you for your sweet words. Blessings, c
I have always wanted to be a EFDA ever since I started practicing in Ohio. Being from Indiana laws are different then Ohio where I was a EFDA being trained by the doctor. Once I moved to Ohio I could no longer practice. It took me 10 years to get the motivation and confidence to go back to school. Best decision I ever made. The pay is great and I have more opportunities to help out in other offices. Having Cathy as a teacher was awesome. She truly cares about her students and seeing them achieve their goals. She was always available to help out her students if they had questions or if they were getting frustrated with a skill. What I loved most about Cathy is she pushed me to do my best and challenged me. I was for sure I had failed my boards everything that could go wrong happened. I have been told when you can hear a mentors voice in the back of your head then they are a great mentor to have. I had Cathys voice in my head the whole time at boards. Well I passed!! Thank you Cathy for being such a great teacher and helping me become the best EFDA!
Hi Jennifer,
Thank you for taking the time to give a testimonial today and you are very welcome. It was really good to hear from you again. Your words for future students are meaningful and I am grateful. I’m very happy that you are enjoying your EFDA position and thank you again, c
I have been a dental hygienist since 2004 and had always planned to go back and eventually get my EFDA certification, but then life happened. After 10 years of marriage and three children, the idea of going back to school seemed very daunting. However, I struck up the courage to do it, and I’m extremely thankful I did. I received instruction from Cathy this past year and passed my EFDA board this past June 2016. Cathy’s teaching techniques were thorough and engaging. She was very kind and pleasant, and I felt very prepared when the State Boards rolled around. I was able to work full time, juggle my family life and learn well enough to make the Dean’s list throughout the entire EFDA program. I loved doing hygiene, but after 12 years I needed a bit of a change at the workplace. Now I’m able to do hygiene, administer local anesthetic, AND perform restorative procedures for my doctors and patients. I feel like a valuable asset to my practice with all the knowledge I was able to receive throughout the program Cathy taught. I love the flexibility and diverse tasks I’m able to do now at the workplace!
Brandie,
It’s good to hear from you and you sound happy in your well-rounded career. Isn’t it nice to be able to give local and perform restorative tasks? It is always a great idea to become as valuable as possible for the good of the practice. Thank you for your kind testimonial. c
It was my junior year in high school when I was in the Dental Assisting Program at jvs when I first heard of an EFDA, I knew immediately it was what I wanted. I love the variety, and different areas I get to work in. I faced a few challenges while taking my journey, long nights, stressful days not knowing if I would pass the course let alone the boards. It was frightening.
Cathy helped me in ways I don’t believe she knows! She gave me hope. She gave me understanding of the course. She was gracious with time, and helped me understand what was important to know for the boards. She would even email me throughout the week helping me understand, stayed after class with me, went over questions I got wrong and explained to me why it was wrong.
Becoming an EFDA was the best decision I have ever made, I’m more experienced, more valuable, and well respected in the dental field. I made a decision to work hard, make something of myself and provide for my family. Without Cathy, I wouldn’t be here today!
Thank you Destiney.
I am so glad that you are enjoying your position as an EFDA and that you feel it was the best decision you ever made. How great is that? Your kind words mean so much. Thank you, c