Dental Assistant

• 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.
• Subject to background/security investigation.
• Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process. Acceptable form(s) of identification will be required to complete pre-employment requirements ( Effective May 7 2025 drivers 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).
• Complete all application requirements detailed in the Required Documents section of this announcement.

As a condition of employment for accepting this position you will be required to serve a 1 or 2-year trial period during which we will evaluate your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public determining if your employment advances the public interest we may consider:

• your performance and conduct;
• the needs and interests of the agency;
• whether your continued employment would advance organizational goals of the agency or the Government; and
• whether your continued employment would advance the efficiency of the Federal service.

Upon completion of your trial period your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification in writing that your continued employment advances the public interest.

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.

English Language Proficiency: Dental assistants must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with 38 U.S.C. 7403(f).

Experience and/or Education: Must have six months experience that demonstrates the applicants ability to perform the work or provides familiarity with the work.

OR

Successful completion of a 1-year dental assistant program accredited by the American Dental Associations Commission on Dental Accreditation (CODA).

OR

Have an equivalent combinations of experience and education.

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. You must meet one of the following:

• Successful completion of the Dental Radiation Health and Safety Examination administered by the Dental Assisting National Board Inc.
• 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.
• Successful completion of a radiation health and safety program or examination approved by a state board of dentistry or the Department of Defense (DoD).

NOTE: Certification in basic life support methods is highly desirable. Certification by the Dental Assisting National Board (DANB). The American Dental Association (ADA) recognizes DANB as the national certification for Dental Assistants. DANB certifi- cation 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.

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 Staff Dental Assistant (Full Performance Level) Experience: At least 1 year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level of GS-5. Employees at the GS-5 level serve as staff dental assistants for routine dental procedures. Direct supervision is given for any complex patient procedures from more experienced dental assistants or the treating dentist. Assignments at the GS-5 level include but are not limited to: responds to basic medical emergencies; measures and records vital signs; provides pre- and post- operative instructions; maintains a field of operation during dental procedures through the use of retraction suction irrigation drying placing and removing cotton rolls; using the concepts of four- handed dentistry assists with basic restorative procedures; mixes basic dental materials; assists in preparation of laboratory prescription forms; applies pressure indicator paste to removable prostheses; exposes and processes basic dental radiographs; mounts and labels dental radiographs and/or saves digital imaging to electronic medical records; evaluates radiographs for diagnostic quality; maintains routine dental equipment per manufacturer and dental service standards.

GS-6 Staff Dental Assistant Demonstrated Knowledge Skills and Abilities (KSAs): In addition the candidate must demonstrate the following technical KSAs:

• Ability to identify normal oral anatomy.
• Advanced knowledge of instruments materials and standardized dental procedures used in all phases of restorative surgical endodontic and periodontal care and procedures.
• Ability to monitor and perform basic interpretation of vital signs.
• Ability to independently provide procedure-specific patient education and appropriate referral of patient concerns to treating dentist.
• Ability to capture standard and special dental images of good diagnostic quality in traditional or digital formats.
• Ability to perform maintenance on dental equipment used for routine and specialty dentistry.
• Ability to enter and retrieve data utilizing electronic dental records.
• Ability to perform dental assistant-appropriate laboratory procedures.

Assignment. Employee serves at the full performance level with the ability to perform full range of duties with some independence in assigned specialties with indirect supervision from the lead dental assistant dental assistant supervisor or treating dentist. Assignments at this level include but are not limited to: using the concepts of four-handed dentistry; assists with specialty procedures including oral surgery periodontal therapy endodontic prosthodontic and implant placement and restoration; anticipates surgeons/specialists needs at each stage of treatment; takes preliminary impressions; selects and manipulates a variety of gypsums and waxes; pours trims and evaluates the quality of diagnostic casts; fabricates custom trays.

Preferred Experience: Preference may be given to candidates with progressively responsible dental-assisting experience supporting general and specialty dental procedures including restorative prosthodontic endodontic periodontal and oral-surgery care. Preferred candidates will have prior chairside-assisting experience; experience obtaining diagnostic-quality dental radiographs; proficiency with electronic dental records scheduling and clinical documentation; and knowledge of infection control sterilization equipment maintenance dental laboratory procedures and patient education. Experience providing care for medically complex patients and adapting communication and clinical support for Veterans with disabilities mobility limitations anxiety sensory needs or age-related needs is highly desirable. Candidates must possess a current Utah radiology certificate as required for the position. Current Basic Life Support certification dental-assisting certification and demonstrated ability to work effectively in a collaborative high-volume clinical environment are also preferred.

Reference: For more information on this qualification standard please visit Requirements: Dental assistant physical requirements include but are not limited to: Sitting and/or standing chairside for long periods of time. Frequent bending twisting and position changes in order to examine and service patients. Use of their hands to handle control or feel objects instruments or controls. Holding the arm and/or hand in one position for long periods of time. Holding of suction devices and being able to retract soft tissues such as the tongue and cheeks. Passing of dental instrumentation safely and predictably with the dentist. Minimum lifting requirements of 35 pounds in order to transfer equipment and pack or unpack supplies. Assist in transferring of patients into and out of wheelchairs. Exceptional hand eye coordination. Near vision-ability to see details at close range.