Dental Assistants perform assigned selected procedures. Some complex patient care procedures are performed under the direct or indirect supervision of more experienced dental assistants, independent dental care providers (dentists, dental specialists) or hygienists.
Duties and responsibilities include but not limited to:
- Assists dentists, dental specialists and/or hygienists in direct patient care and performs other clinical, laboratory, and clerical/administrative functions as assigned with direct or indirect supervision.
- Sets up the dental treatment area/surgical suite for planned dental/surgical treatment procedures prior and during patient care encounters.
- Cleans and disinfect treatment areas following patient care to facilitate timely treatment area turnover.
- Escorts patients from the waiting area to the treatment area at the beginning of an appointment and from the treatment area to the waiting area following an appointment as needed.
- Passes instruments safely, accurately and efficiently to facilitate safe, efficient, and effective patient care.
- Keeps the operative field clear of debris and retracts oral soft tissues effectively to facilitate comfortable patient care for respective patients.
- Stocks, cleans and disinfects the dental treatment area.
- Prepares dental medicaments and impression materials in accordance with manufacturer's instructions.
- Assists dental provider accomplish clinical exams, radiographic exams, and dental treatment in accordance with CDC. VI-IA, VISN 10, Cincinnati VAMC facility and Dental Service infection control policies.
- Competent in four-handed dentistry for general dental procedures.
- Competent to assist in specialty dental care (dental hygiene. periodontics, endodontics, prosthetics, implantology (surgery and restorative) and oral surgery).
- Competent in exposure of diagnostic quality standard and specialty radiographic images in traditional and/or digital formats. This includes but is not limited to (I) pcriapical radiograph, (2) bitewing radiograph, (3) panoramic/panorex radiograph, (4) CT image, (5) TMJ image, (6) occlusal radiograph, (7) Waters View image, (8) Reverse Townes image, and (9) buccal-object rule images (or as Dental Service radiographic capability allows).
- Performs disinfection of non-critical items and environmental surfaces in accordance with CDC, VHA, VISN I 0, Cincinnati VA Medical Center facility and Dental Service policies.
- Performs other clerical/administrative tasks as may be assigned on an as needed basis.
- Competently pours impressions, prepares study models. and trims study models to meet the needs of the provider(s).
- Fabricates custom impression trays to meet the needs of the provider(s).
- Fabricates bite rims to meet the needs of the provider(s).
- Performs other assigned laboratory duties as time and competency allows.
- Interacts with patients in accord with standards for age-specific care including knowledge of changes associated with aging and principles of growth and development relevant to the adult and geriatric age groups.
- Competent in patient assessment and the interpretation of data about the patient's status in the dental treatment setting.
- Posses the ability to identify age-specific needs and, under the direct supervision of the provider(s), is able to provide appropriate care based on the age related factors noted.
- Works in a manner which demonstrates sensitivity to and accommodations for the special needs of all patients with respect to age, developmental requirements, and cultural diversity.
Work Schedule: Compressed Tour: Monday-Thursday, 6:30am- 4:00pm, Friday 6:30am-3:00pm; every other Friday off.
Compressed/Flexible:Available.
Telework: Not Available.
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Functional Statement #92637-0.
Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized
Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized
- You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job.
- All applicants tentatively selected for VA employment in a testing designated position are subject to urinalysis to screen for illegal drug use prior to appointment. Applicants who refuse to be tested will be denied employment with VA.
- Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959.
- Must be proficient in written and spoken English.
- You may be required to serve a probationary period.
- Subject to background/security investigation.
- Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process.
- Must pass pre-employment physical examination.
- Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process. Acceptable form(s) of identification will be required to complete pre-employment requirements (https://www.uscis.gov/i-9-central/form-i-9-acceptable-documents). Effective May 7, 2025, driver's licenses or state-issued dentification cards that are not REAL ID compliant cannot be utilized as an acceptable form of identification for employment.
- Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP).
Basic Requirements:
- United States Citizenship. Non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy.
- Experience and Education.
- (1) Experience. Six months experience that demonstrates the applicant's ability to perform the work, or provides familiarity with the work. OR,
- (2) Education. Successful completion of a 1-year dental assistant program accredited by the American Dental Association's Commission on [Dental] Accreditation [(CODA)].
- (3) Experience/Education Combination. Equivalent combinations of experience and education are qualifying.
- Certification. Public Law 97-35 requires that persons who administer radiologic procedures meet the credentialing standards in 42 CFR Part 75. Essentially, they must have successfully completed an educational program that meets or exceeds the standards described in that regulation, and is accredited by an organization recognized by the Department of Education, and be certified as radiographers in their field.
- (1) [ ] Provisions for Certification of Radiologic Competence
- (a) Successful completion of the Dental Radiation Health and Safety Examination administered by the Dental Assisting National Board, Inc.; OR,
- [(b)] Successful completion of the Principles and Practice of Dental Radiology and Radiographic Safety courses and examinations developed by the Assistant Under Secretary for Health for Dentistry. [ ] OR,
- [(c) Successful completion of a radiation health and safety program or examination approved by a state board of dentistry or the Department of Defense (DoD).]
- (2) Non-certified applicants who otherwise meet the eligibility requirements for certification of radiologic competence may be given a temporary appointment as a graduate dental assistant under the authority of 38 U.S.C. § 7405 (a) (1) (D). Failure to obtain certification during that period is justification for termination of the temporary appointment. This [will result in removal from the GS-681 series and] may result in termination of employment.
- (3) Certification in basic life support methods is highly desirable.
- [(4) Certification by the Dental Assisting National Board (DANB). The American Dental Association (ADA) recognizes DANB as the national certification for Dental Assistants. DANB certification is not required, but highly desirable for the appointment of Dental Assistants up to and including the full performance level, and is required for all positions above the full performance level.]
- English Language Proficiency. Dental assistants must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with chapter 2, section D, paragraph 5a, this part.
May qualify based on being covered by the Grandfathering Provision as described in the VA Qualification Standard for this occupation (only applicable to current VHA employees who are in this occupation and meet the criteria).
Grade Determinations:
GS-6, Dental Assistant (Full Performance Level).
(a) Experience. At least 1 year of experience [equivalent to] the next lower grade level, GS-5, that demonstrates the core competencies described at that level. In addition, the candidate must demonstrate the [following] technical KSAs: (b) Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities.
1. Ability to identify normal oral anatomy.
2. Advanced knowledge of instruments, materials, and standardized dental procedures used in all phases of restorative, surgical, endodontic and periodontal care and procedures.
3. Ability to monitor and perform basic interpretation of vital signs.
4. Ability to independently provide procedure-specific patient education and appropriate referral of patient concerns to treating dentist.
5. Ability to capture standard and special dental images of good diagnostic quality in traditional or digital formats.
6. Ability to perform maintenance on dental equipment used for routine and specialty dentistry.
7. Ability to enter and retrieve data utilizing electronic dental records.
8. Ability to perform dental assistant-appropriate laboratory procedures.
Preferred Experience: Dental x-ray certified; CPR certification; and Chairside Dental Assisting experience.
Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/.
Physical Requirements: Long periods of standing, walking, sitting, and bending are required. Pushing dental equipment and carts are necessary to deliver items to the operatory or procedure site. It is necessary to climb onto lifts to retrieve or store supplies, or to help the dentist carry out a surgical or dental procedure. Lifting of patients from gurneys or wheelchairs into the dental chair is required to position them for radiographs or dental examination and treatment. Ability to perform dental assistant-appropriate laboratory procedures.
IMPORTANT: A transcript must be submitted with your application if you are basing all or part of your qualifications on education.
Note: Only education or degrees recognized by the U.S. Department of Education from accredited colleges, universities, schools, or institutions may be used to qualify for Federal employment. You can verify your education here: http://ope.ed.gov/accreditation/. If you are using foreign education to meet qualification requirements, you must send a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency with your transcript in order to receive credit for that education. For further information, visit: https://sites.ed.gov/international/recognition-of-foreign-qualifications/.
Receiving Service Credit or Earning Annual (Vacation) Leave: Federal Employees earn annual leave at a rate (4, 6 or 8 hours per pay period) which is based on the number of years they have served as a Federal employee. Selected applicants may qualify for credit toward annual leave accrual, based on prior work experience or military service experience. This credited service can be used in determining the rate at which they earn annual leave. Such credit must be requested and approved prior to the appointment date and is not guaranteed.
During the application process you may have an option to opt-in to make your resume available to hiring managers in the agency who have similar positions. Opting in does not impact your application for this announcement, nor does it guarantee further consideration for additional positions.
This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies.
This position is in the Excepted Service and does not confer competitive status.
VA encourages persons with disabilities to apply. The health-related positions in VA are covered by Title 38, and are not covered by the Schedule A excepted appointment authority.
If you are unable to apply online or need an alternate method to submit documents, please reach out to the Agency Contact listed in this Job Opportunity Announcement.
Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution.
A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.
Review our benefits
Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.
You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.
IN DESCRIBING YOUR EXPERIENCE, PLEASE BE CLEAR AND SPECIFIC. WE MAY NOT MAKE ASSUMPTIONS REGARDING YOUR EXPERIENCE. Your application, resume, C.V., and/or supporting documentation will be verified. Please follow all instructions carefully. Errors or omissions may affect consideration for employment.
Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religions; spiritual; community; student; social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.
The Department of Veterans Affairs performs pre-employment reference checks as an assessment method used in the hiring process to verify information provided by a candidate (e.g., on resume or during interview or hiring process); gain additional knowledge regarding a candidate's abilities; and assist a hiring manager with making a final selection for a position.
It is the policy of the VA to not deny employment to those that have faced financial hardships or periods of unemployment.
Veterans and Transitioning Service Members: Please visit the VA for Vets site for career-search tools for Veterans seeking employment at VA, career development services for our existing Veterans, and coaching and reintegration support for military service members.
To apply for this position, you must provide a complete Application Package which includes:
- Professional Certification
-
Resume
Special Note for Applications: To complete your application, please use the following link https://vacareers.va.gov/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/Resume.docx to download the standard Clinical Resume Document. This one-page document does not need to be modified and must be uploaded into the two-page restricted 'Resume' document upload field.
Your full resume/CV may be uploaded without page limitation into the 'Other' document upload field.
The following documents are accepted, and may be required if applicable to your eligibility and/or qualifications for this position. Please ensure you have included all documents required for your application, such as a copy of your transcript (if using education to qualify), SF-50's (current/former Federal employees), etc.
- Cover Letter
-
DD-214/ Statement of Service
-
Disability Letter (Schedule A)
-
Disability Letter (VA)
-
License
-
Other (1)
-
Other (2)
-
Other (3)
-
Performance Appraisal
-
Professional Certification
-
Resume
-
Separation Notice (RIF)
-
SF-15
-
SF-50/ Notification of Personnel Action
-
Transcript
Education must be accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education in order for it to be credited towards qualifications. Therefore, provide only the attendance and/or degrees from schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.
Failure to provide all of the required information as stated in this vacancy announcement may result in an ineligible rating or may affect the overall rating.
