Dental Assistant

Applicants pending the completion of educational or certification/licensure requirements may be referred and tentatively selected but may not be hired until all requirements are met.

01Basic Requirements

United States Citizenship: Non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy. 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).

02Experience 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). OR, (3) Experience/Education Combination. Equivalent combinations of experience and education are qualifying. Certification.

Public Law requires that persons who administer radiologic procedures 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.

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).

DANB Certification: Certification by the Dental Assisting National Board (DANB) is required at this grade level. (Provide proof) Grade Determinations: GS-7 Dental Assistant. At this level, dental assistants serve either as a Clinical Expanded Function Dental Assistant or Lead Dental Assistant. For all positions above the full performance level, duties must be assigned to the position at least 25% of the time.

03Experience

At least one (1) year of experience at the next lower grade level (GS-06) or equivalent that demonstrates the core competencies described at that level. In addition, the candidate must demonstrate the following technical KSAs. Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities: a. Ability to perform dental assisting expanded functions. b. Comprehensive working knowledge of advanced imaging techniques in order to provide instruction (e.g. cone beam, cephalometric, advanced panoramic imaging, TMJ, etc).

Assignment: In this position, the employee performs a higher level, scope, complexity and variety representing the clinical assignment, and applies advanced clinical skills.

Representative duties at this level include, but are not limited to: gathering diagnostic information, pulp vitality testing, charting of existing conditions, placing of rubber dam and matrices, selecting shades, placing retraction cord, placing and removing temporary restorations, fabricating temporary crowns and removing permanent cement from supragingival surfaces.

In addition, the expanded function assistant may place and remove surgical dressing, monitor nitrous oxide analgesia, and perform coronal polishing and the cleaning and polishing of removable prostheses.

04Preferred Experience

Must have a current CDA (Certified Dental Assistant) from DANB (Dental Assisting National Board), CRFDA (Certified Restorative Functions Dental Assistant) from DANB-OR-state approved EFDA (Expanded Functions Dental Assistant) program completion. Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/. The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-07.

05Physical Requirements

Long standing, sitting, and lifting 22 lbs. or greater. Bending and reaching is required to provide treatment of patients. Bending is required when removing supplies from cabinets or replenishing supplies in cabinets.

Performs a higher level, scope, complexity and variety of dental assisting duties representing the clinical assignment, and applies advanced clinical skills. Performs the full range of duties for routine patient care with indirect supervision from the lead or supervisory dental assistant or the treating dentist. Clinical expanded function dental assistants perform assigned selected procedures with some independence.

Some complex patient procedures are performed under indirect supervision of a more experienced clinical expanded function dental assistant or dentist. Serves in expanded function dental assistant positions independently performing more complex work in assigned specialties. Assists the general dentist and dental specialist in many aspects of direct patient care and performs other clinical and clerical functions independently of direct supervision.

Expanded function duties: Duties listed in this section (a) comprise at least 25% of the clinical expanded function dental assistant's time. Performs mouth mirror inspection of the oral cavity, Gathers diagnostic information, Performs pulp vitality testing, Charts existing restoration and conditions, Selects shades for fixed and removable prostheses, Places and removes rubber dams and matrix bands, Places and removes retraction cord, Places and removes intracoronal temporary restoration.

Removes temporary crown/bridge and clean tooth preparation of debris, Fabricates, adjusts and cements temporary crowns, Removes permanent cement from supragingival surfaces. Removes sutures, Places and removes surgical dressings, Monitors nitrous oxide/oxygen analgesic, Performs coronal polishing of teeth, Removes hard accretions from and polishes removable prostheses.

Customer Service: Shows courtesy, respect, and a positive attitude for patients, coworkers and the public, Provides assistance to customers with questions or concerns, provides service recovery.

Chairside Assisting: Sets up operatory and/or surgery suite for planned dental procedure and cleans dental unit for timely turnover, Passes instruments safely, accurately, and efficiently, Keeps operative field clear of debris and retracts oral tissues effectively and comfortably, Prepares dental medicaments and impression materials per manufacturer's instructions, Accomplishes all intraoperative procedures within standard infection control protocols, Dental Imaging: Exposes both standard and specialty dental imaging (i.e.

TMJ, ceph, cone beam) in traditional and/or digital formats, Modifies settings to achieve the images as requested by the provider, Images are characterized by diagnostic quality, accurately oriented and exposed, Dental imaging safety techniques are utilized, and retakes are minimized, Imaging requests are accomplished within the desired time frame.

Infection Control and Equipment Sterilization: Demonstrates proper infection control procedures in setting up and cleaning up operatories, Disinfects oral appliances to prevent cross contamination, Properly prepares instruments for transfer to SPD for sterilization.

Clerical Functions: Assists in filling gaps in the doctor's schedule due to late cancellations and failed appointment, Initiates computerized progress note, Assists dentist in charting findings and treatment plans in patient records Patient Safety: Modifies care as necessitated by patient's age and abilities (patient transfer and position), Provides accurate and understandable instructions to patients, Participates in patient identification and time out per Joint Commission requirements, Monitors patient condition during treatment, being alert for signs of physical distress.

Dental Laboratory Functions: Pours impressions and prepares study models, Makes final denture impression trays and prepares bite rims, Fabricates athletic mouth guards and bleaching trays, Performs other dental laboratory functions as time and skill levels allow.

Direct Patient Care: Monitors patient vital signs (BP, pulse, pulse oximeter) and condition during invasive treatment and during recovery period following procedure, Applies topical anesthetic at the injection site, Applies topical fluoride, Makes impressions for diagnostic casts and preliminary impressions for prosthetic fabrication. Work Schedule: Monday - Friday 7:45 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.

Compressed/Flexible: May be available Recruitment/Relocation Incentives (Sign-on Bonus): Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (Relocation Assistance): Not Authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not required