Dental Assistant

The Dental Assistant assists the dentist in many aspects of direct patient care and performs other clinical and clerical functions independently of direct supervision. Employees at the higher levels serve at staff dental assistants independently performing more complete work in assigned specialties while receiving general administrative supervision. Employees at this higher level of competency provide a higher scope of complexity and range of variety of duties more than 25% of the time.

• 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
• Experience
• Six months experience that demonstrates the applicant's 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 Association's Commission on Dental Accreditation (CODA)
• 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 (DoD)
• 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. A 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
• 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 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
• Physical Requirements
• See VA Directive and Handbook 5019
• 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-3: Experience or Education
• None beyond the basic requirements
• GS-4: Experience or Education
• In addition to the basic requirements - 1 year of experience at the next lower level (GS-3) - OR 2 years of education above high school that included completion of a dental assistant program accredited by the American Dental Association's Commission on Dental Accreditation (CODA)
• Demonstrated Knowledge - Skills - and Abilities
• In addition - the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs: Basic knowledge of infection control and safe instrument handling
• Basic knowledge of dental procedures and medical emergencies
• Ability to perform basic radiographic image capture and processing/retrieval
• Basic knowledge of maintenance - care and storage of dental equipment
• Basic knowledge of patient privacy requirements
• GS-5: Experience or Education
• In addition to the requirements listed at GS-4 above - applicants must demonstrate at least 1 year of experience equivalent to at the next lower grade level (GS-4) that demonstrates the core competencies described at that level
• Examples include but are not limited to: receiving and preparing patient for treatment including seating - positioning chair - placing napkin - performing disinfection and sterilization procedures
• performing basic chair side assisting with direct instruction from treating dentist
• reporting medical emergencies to dentist
• preparing procedural trays/armamentaria set-ups
• OR - Successful completion of a full 4-year course of study that included or was supplemented by completion of a dental assistant program by CODA
• Demonstrated Knowledge - Skills - and Abilities
• In addition - the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs: Knowledge of anatomy and ability to evaluate diagnostic quality
• Broad knowledge of common medical emergencies and vital signs measurement
• Basic knowledge of instruments - materials and standardized dental procedures
• Ability to learn and utilize software programs used within VHA
• Basic communication skills to provide patient instructions according to established protocol
• GS-6: 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
• Examples 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 Demonstrated Knowledge - Skills - and Abilities
• In addition - the candidate must demonstrate the following 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
• Preferred Experience: At least 2 plus years' experience as a dental assistant
• Excellent Customer Service and Communication Skills
• Must be able to work under pressure and plan workload without halting operation as a whole while showing initiative in completing priority tasks
• Experience with Microsoft office - Microsoft Excel - Multi phone line
• Experience in coordinating clinic workflow and assignments
• Reference: For more information on this qualification standard - please visit
• The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-06
• The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of GS-03 to GS-06
• Physical Requirements: Light lifting - under 15 pounds
• Light carrying - under 15 pounds
• Pushing
• Reaching above shoulder
• Use of fingers
• Both hands required
• Walking (4-8 hours)
• Standing (4-8 hours)
• Repeated bending (2 hours)
• Ability for rapid mental and muscular coordination simultaneously
• Near vision correctable at 13" to 16" to Jaeger 1 to 4
• Far vision correctable in one eye to 20/20 and to 20/40 in the other
• Both eyes required
• Depth perception
• Ability to distinguish basic colors
• Ability to distinguish shades of colors
• Hearing (aid permitted)

• Major duties include - but not limited to: Shows courtesy - respect - and a positive attitude for patients - co-workers and the public
• Provides assistance to customers with questions or concerns - provides service recovery
• Chair side assisting 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
• Prepares dental medicaments and impression materials per manufacturer's instructions
• 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
• Demonstrates proper infection control procedures in setting up and cleaning up operatories
• Instruments are properly prepared for sterilization by SPS standards
• Demonstrates proper infection control procedures in exposing images
• Assists patients in scheduling appointments
• Assists in filling gaps in the doctor's schedule due to late cancellations and failed appointments
• Assists dentist in charting findings and treatment plans in patient record
• Maintains patient confidentiality per HIPAA with written and verbal information
• Participates in patient identification and time out per Joint Commission requirements
• Impressions for diagnostic casts and preliminary impressions for prosthetic fabrication
• Remove temporary crown/bridge and clean tooth preparation of debris
• Re-cement and fabricate temporary crowns
• Provides post-operative and other appropriate patient education
• Work Schedule: Monday - Friday
• 7:30am - 4:00pm Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position
• Functional Statement #: PD53155F - PD53154F - PD53153F - and PD53152F - Dental Assistant Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized