Carrie Gauntt, CDA, CRFDA, CPFDA. CDHC, AZEFDA-RF, EFDA

Carrie Gauntt has devoted over 35 years to the dental profession. As both a certified dental assistant and an expanded-function dental assistant, she possesses a variety of national and state credentials, along with a state license in EFDA. Having observed significant transformations within the dental community, her primary focus has shifted towards teaching, although she remains engaged in clinical practice during the summer months. Since 2015, she has been a passionate advocate for EFDA in Arizona and currently serves as the EFDA Coordinator at Phoenix College. She encourages her students to take an active role in their professional advocacy, particularly in light of recent efforts to remove credentials from Arizona statutes in 2024. Dental professionals need to collaborate in engaging patients and educating our community about laws and changes affecting their scope of practice, especially for dental assistants. Her unwavering commitment to patient safety is the driving force behind her advocacy efforts.

Conflict of Interest Disclosure: None