Summary

The Dental Assistant assists the dentist in many aspects of direct patient care and performs other clinical and clerical functions independently of direct supervision. The Dental Assistant receives and prepares patients for dental treatment and assists the Dentist at chairside - bedside or in the operating room.

Qualifications

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.

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 2 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
• 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: In addition to the basic requirements for employment - the following criteria must be met when determining the grade of candidates
• GS-7 Clinical Expanded Function 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
• (a) Clinical Expanded Function Dental Assistant 1
• Experience
• At least 1 year of experience at the next lower grade level or equivalent that demonstrates the core competencies described at that level
• In addition - the candidate must demonstrate the following technical KSAs: 2
• 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)
• Preferred Experience: Expanded Functions Dental Assistant - Certified Dental Assistant - Adult/Geriatric patient care experience
• Reference: For more information on this qualification standard - please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/
• The grade of this vacancy is GS-7. Physical Requirements: See VA Directive and Handbook 5019.

Duties

• Ability to perform Dental Assisting expanded functions
• 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
• Comprehensive working knowledge of advanced imaging techniques in order to provide instruction (e.g
• cone beam - cephalometric - advanced panoramic imaging - TMJ - etc.)
• Monitors the status and progress of work and makes adjustment in accordance with established priorities
• Obtains assistance from the supervisor as needed for major issues or problems which arise
• Maintains current knowledge and answers questions from team members on procedures - policies - and directives
• Able to assist with training new employees (Dentist - dental residents - 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 Maintain efficient and productive use of the Dentists' patient care time and minimize missed opportunities Makes written instructions - reference materials - and relevant background material available
• Maintains the dental station and treatment area in a clean and operational condition
• Assures that the dental treatment area is set up and shut down each work day to maintain security of the clinic area and dental equipment
• Functions: Chairside 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 Accomplishes all intra-operative procedures within standard infection control protocols Assists in routine general dental procedures using concepts of four-handed Dentistry Assists in specialized dental procedures - such as oral surgery - endodontics - periodontics - prosthodontics - implant placement and restoration Maintains both routine and specialty dental equipment per manufacturer instructions and dental service standard 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 Removes plaque and soft debris from removable prostheses Provides patient preventative education and oral hygiene instruction Provides post-operative and other appropriate patient education Suture Removal Re-cement and fabricate temporary crowns EFDA only Coronal polishing of teeth Place rubber dams Work Schedule: Various Shifts Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position
• Functional Statement #:000000 Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized