Dentist

Join the Indian Health Service and make a meaningful impact on the oral health of American Indian communities. As a Dentist, you will provide comprehensive, patient-centered care, manage complex cases, and collaborate with a multidisciplinary healthcare team while advancing health equity and improving community well-being.

A REAL ID will be required beginning May 7, 2025, in accordance with 6 C.F.R. 37.5 (2021).

• Provides comprehensive dental care, including examinations, diagnosis, treatment planning, restorative procedures, endodontics, periodontics, prosthodontics, oral surgery, and emergency dental services.
• Independently evaluates and manages complex dental conditions, adapting treatment approaches as needed and coordinating care with medical providers for patients with complex health or behavioral needs.
• Delivers patient education and preventive care services, ensuring patients understand treatment options, risks, and post-treatment care while addressing diverse cultural and socioeconomic needs.
• Provides consultation and professional guidance to healthcare providers and dental staff regarding dental health issues and their impact on overall patient health.
• Maintains clinical records, participates in quality improvement and infection control activities, supports program operations, and contributes to clinical committees and strategic planning initiatives.

Position may be subject to rotating shifts: days, evenings, nights, weekends and holidays.

You must successfully pass the E-Verify employment verification check. To learn more about E-Verify, including your rights and responsibilities, visit www.dhs.gov/E-Verify/.

You will need to set up direct deposit so we can pay you.

To qualify for this position, your resume must state sufficient experience and/or education, to perform the duties of the specific position for which you are applying.

Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religious; spiritual; community; social). You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer and part time experience. You must clearly identify the duties and responsibilities in each position held and the total number of hours per week.

The Hiring Manager/Selecting Official may elect to utilize an available flexibility wherein applicants who are currently enrolled and expected to complete the required education and obtain the required licensure/certification/registration within 9 month(s) of applying, may be deemed tentatively qualified.

BASIC REQUIREMENT(S):

Education: Applicants must possess a Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS) or Doctor of Dental Medicine (DMD) degree from a dental school accredited by the American Dental Association (ADA), the Commission on Dental Accreditation (CODA), or another accrediting body recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.

License: Applicants must have successfully completed the National Board Dental Examinations (NBDE) and hold a current, full, and unrestricted license to practice dentistry in a U.S. state, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, or a U.S. territory.

Applicants who meet the education and license requirements above qualify for the GS-11 grade level.

In addition to the Basic Requirements, you must also meet the Minimum Qualifications stated below to qualify for the GS-12.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

GS-12: Two (2) years of professional dentistry experience and/or training. Experience must be equivalent to at least the GS-11 level in the Federal service as described: Providing restorative, pediatric, periodontic, endodontic, prosthodontic, diagnostic, surgical, and preventative dental services; Performing oral surgeries, such as extraction of impacted teeth or full mouth extraction; performing prosthodontic cases, including crown/bridges, complete dentures, and relines; performing routine pedodontic procedures, as well as treating cases of rampant caries in children; performing case management and treatment of medically complex cases; and obtaining medical clearances in order to provide comprehensive dental care.

OR

Completion of a two (2) year residency program in dentistry, oral health, craniofacial sciences, or a related medical science.

Medical Requirement
Applicants must be able to distinguish shades of color.

Time In Grade
Federal employees in the competitive service are also subject to the Time-In-Grade Requirements: Merit Promotion (status) candidates must have completed one year of service at the next lower grade level. Time-In-Grade provisions do not apply under the Excepted Service Examining Plan (ESEP).

You must meet all qualification requirements by the respective cut-off day of rating to be eligible for consideration.

This position has an education requirement. You are strongly encouraged to submit a copy of your transcripts or a list of your courses including titles, credit hours completed, and grades. Unofficial transcripts will be accepted in the application package. Official transcripts will be required from all selectees prior to receiving an official offer.

Only attendance and/or degrees from schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education may be credited. Applicants can verify accreditation at the following website: https://www.ed.gov/accreditation.

If you are using foreign education to meet qualification requirements, you must send a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency with your transcript in order to receive credit for that education. For further information, visit https://sites.ed.gov/international/recognition-of-foreign-qualifications/.

Selectee may be subject to a probationary period
ESEP appointees typically serve a two year trial period
U.S. Citizenship is required
Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959

This is a designated position covered by Public Law 101-630, requiring contact or control over Indian children. Due to this requirement, the agency must ensure that persons hired for these positions have not been found guilty of or pleaded nolo contendere or guilty to certain crimes.

The selected individual is required to obtain and maintain medical staff clinical privileges, including any licensure requirements. If privileges are not obtained or maintained during employment, the employee will be subject to adverse actions, up to and including removal from Federal service.

Background Investigation Requirement:

This position requires the successful completion of a federal background investigation as a condition of employment.

A background investigation is a standard process used by the Federal Government to verify an individual's identity, employment history, education, and other relevant information to determine suitability for Federal service.

Upon receipt of instructions, applicants must complete all required background investigation forms within five (5) calendar days of issuance. Timely completion is critical to avoid delays in processing or a determination of unsuitability.

Applicants are strongly encouraged to prioritize this requirement and to maintain regular communication with their assigned Personnel Security Specialist throughout the process.

Financial Suitability Requirement:

This position requires a review of the applicant's financial history as part of the personnel security and suitability determination. Applicants must demonstrate financial responsibility, maintain good standing with creditors, and satisfy all legal financial obligations prior to applying.

Individuals with substantial delinquent or unresolved financial obligations-including, but not limited to, delinquent federal or state tax liabilities, defaulted federal student loans, court-ordered fines or fees, or child support arrears-may be deemed unsuitable for employment with the Indian Health Service (IHS).

Prior to the appointment, candidates must present two valid forms of identification. If one of the documents is a state-issued ID or driver's license, it must be REAL ID-compliant.