Lead Dental Assistant

Total Rewards of a Allied Health Professional

The Lead Dental Assistant assists the dentist in many aspects of direct patient care and performs other clinical and clerical functions independent of direct supervision. The dental assistant receives and prepares patients for dental treatment and assists the dentist at chairside.

The Lead Dental Assistant duties include but are not limited to:

• Leads a team of employees performing at the GS-7 level or below. Provides guidance and technical direction necessary for accomplishing the work of the team.
• Serves as a work leader assuring the work assignments of employees in the unit are carried out. Coordinates daily dental assistant work assignments at the start of the shift and throughout the day as the need arises.
• Monitors the status and progress of work and makes adjustment in accordance with established priorities. Serves as Systems Redesign Coordinator. Obtain assistance from the supervisor as needed for major issues or problems which arise.
• Instruct employees in specific tasks and job techniques. Trains employees (dentist and dental assistants) in computerized dental patient record systems including generating patient consults storing and viewing digital images entry of diagnostic data and preparation of treatment planning.
• Trains team member in the accomplishment of tasks or projects. Maintains current knowledge and answers questions from team members on procedures policies and directives.
• Provides input in developing Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) for the dental staff for Reusable Medical Equipment. Trains dental staff in SOPs and reports noncompliance to supervisor.
• Serves as a liaison between the scheduler and the dentist to maintain efficient and productive use of the dentists patient care time and minimize missed opportunities.
• Sets up operatory 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.
• Produces images are characterized by diagnostic quality accurately oriented and exposed. Dental imaging safety techniques are utilized and retakes are minimized.
• Practices proper infection control procedures in setting up and cleaning up operatories. Instruments are properly prepared for sterilization by SPD standards.
• Modifies care as necessitated by patients age and abilities (patient transfer and position). Provides accurate and understandable instructions to patients.
• Prepares cases for the dental laboratory and ensures timely retrieval of completed cases from the laboratory.
• Performs Impressions for diagnostic casts and preliminary impressions for prosthetic fabrication. Removes temporary crown/bridge and clean tooth preparation of debris. Recement and fabricate temporary crowns.
• Applies other topical medications and medicaments as ordered by dentist. Administers pre procedural mouth rinses as ordered by dentist.
• Places rubber dams and matrix band. Provides post-operative and other appropriate patient education.

• 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 identification 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.

• 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.

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.
• Experience and Education:
  • Experience. Six months experience that demonstrates the applicants ability to perform the work or provides familiarity with the work. OR
  • Education. Successful completion of a 1 year Dental Assistant program accredited by the American Dental Associations Commission on Dental Accreditation (CODA). OR
  • 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.
• Provisions for Certification of Radiologic Competence:
  • Successful completion of the Dental Radiation Health and Safety Examination administered by the Dental Assisting National Board Inc. OR
  • 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
  • Successful completion of a radiation health and safety program or examination approved by a state board of dentistry or the Department of Defense.