Dental Assistant

Performs a higher level, scope, complexity and variety of dental assisting duties representing the clinical assignment, and applies advanced clinical skills. Performs the full range of duties for routine patient care with indirect supervision from the lead or supervisory dental assistant or the treating dentist. Clinical expanded function dental assistants perform assigned selected procedures with some independence. Some complex patient procedures are performed under indirect supervision of a more experienced clinical expanded function dental assistant or dentist.

Serves in expanded function dental assistant positions independently performing more complex work in assigned specialties.

Assists the general dentist and dental specialist in many aspects of direct patient care and performs other clinical and clerical functions independently of direct supervision.

Expanded function duties: Duties listed in this section (a) comprise at least 25% of the clinical expanded function dental assistant's time.
Performs mouth mirror inspection of the oral cavity, Gathers diagnostic information, Performs pulp vitality testing, Charts existing restoration and conditions, Selects shades for fixed and removable prostheses, Places and removes rubber dams and matrix bands, Places and removes retraction cord, Places and removes intracoronal temporary restoration.

Removes temporary crown/bridge and clean tooth preparation of debris, Fabricates, adjusts and cements temporary crowns, Removes permanent cement from supragingival surfaces. Removes sutures, Places and removes surgical dressings, Monitors nitrous oxide/oxygen analgesic, Performs coronal polishing of teeth, Removes hard accretions from and polishes removable prostheses.

Customer Service: Shows courtesy, respect, and a positive attitude for patients, coworkers and the public, Provides assistance to customers with questions or concerns, provides service recovery.

Chairside Assisting: Sets up operatory and/or surgery suite 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 intraoperative procedures within standard infection control protocols,

Dental Imaging: Exposes both standard and specialty dental imaging (i.e. TMJ, ceph, cone beam) in traditional and/or digital formats, Modifies settings to achieve the images as requested by the provider, 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.

Infection Control and Equipment Sterilization: Demonstrates proper infection control procedures in setting up and cleaning up operatories, Disinfects oral appliances to prevent cross contamination, Properly prepares instruments for transfer to SPD for sterilization.

Clerical Functions: Assists in filling gaps in the doctor's schedule due to late cancellations and failed appointment, Initiates computerized progress note, Assists dentist in charting findings and treatment plans in patient records

Patient Safety: Modifies care as necessitated by patient's age and abilities (patient transfer and position), Provides accurate and understandable instructions to patients, Participates in patient identification and time out per Joint Commission requirements, Monitors patient condition during treatment, being alert for signs of physical distress.

Dental Laboratory Functions: Pours impressions and prepares study models, Makes final denture impression trays and prepares bite rims, Fabricates athletic mouth guards and bleaching trays, Performs other dental laboratory functions as time and skill levels allow.

Direct Patient Care: 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.

Work Schedule: Monday - Friday 7:45 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
Compressed/Flexible: May be available
Recruitment/Relocation Incentives (Sign-on Bonus): Not Authorized
Permanent Change of Station (Relocation Assistance): Not Authorized
Financial Disclosure Report: Not required

• 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 in accordance with chapter 2, section D, paragraph 5a, this part.

• 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 (https://www.uscis.gov/i-9-central/form-i-9-acceptable-documents). Effective May 7, 2025, driver's 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.