Dental Assistant

Overview

Summary:

Dental Assistants at this level serve as staff dental assistants at the full performance level for more routine patient care and perform some complex patient procedures under general supervision of more experienced dental assistants or dental supervisor. The Dental Assistants assist the dentist in many aspects of direct patient care and perform other clinical and clerical functions independently of direct supervision.

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.

• 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
• 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 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
• 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
• 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)
• 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
• Failure to obtain certification during that period is justification for termination of the temporary appointment
• Certification in basic life support methods is highly desirable
• 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
• English Language Proficiency:
  Dental assistants must be proficient in spoken and written English
• Grandfathering provision may apply as described in the VA Qualification Standard
• Grade Determinations: GS-6 Staff Dental Assistant
• Experience:
  
  At least 1 year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level that demonstrates the core competencies described at that level
• Technical KSAs: identify normal oral anatomy; advanced knowledge of instruments, materials, and procedures; monitor and interpret vital signs; provide procedure-specific patient education; use electronic dental records; perform dental laboratory procedures; etc.

• This is an OPEN CONTINUOUS ANNOUNCEMENT and will remain open until March 24, 2026. Initial referral date: 02/06/2026. Eligible applications received after that date will be referred at regular intervals or as vacancies occur.
• Provide chairside assistance, set up operatory, pass instruments, maintain a clear operative field, and assist in routine and specialty dental procedures (oral surgery, periodontics, endodontics, prosthodontics, implants).
• Perform dental imaging with safety techniques to minimize retakes; ensure diagnostic quality of images.
• Infection control and equipment sterilization; prepare instruments for sterilization; maintain timely clinical care.
• Clerical duties: scheduling, assist in charting findings and treatment plans, maintain patient confidentiality per HIPAA, follow computer security regulations.
• Preserve…