Dental Hygienist

Summary

The Dental Hygienist performs at the full performance level. They provide oral prophylaxis - scaling and root planning - topical application of drugs - and one-on-one instruction in proper preventative dental procedure and nutritional information and receives guidance from supervisory staff for only the most complex patients. The Dental Hygienist may also become responsible for the care and treatment of veterans who participate in the Homeless Veterans Dental Program.

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
• Education
• Applicants must possess an Associate degree or higher from an accredited dental hygiene program
• The degree must have been obtained from an institution whose accreditation was in place for the year in which the course of study was completed
• Approved programs are:
  Dental hygiene programs accredited by the American Dental Association's Commission on Dental Accreditation (CODA)
• [Education completed outside of the United States must be considered at least equivalent to that gained in CODA accredited United States programs and would enable the candidate to sit for the National Board Dental Hygiene Examination - which is administered by the Joint Commission on National Dental Examinations.]
• Licensure
• Applicants must be currently licensed to practice as a dental hygienist with a full - current and unrestricted license in a State - Territory or Commonwealth of the United States - or the District of Columbia
• Certification
• P.L
• 97-35 - Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act Of 1981 - requires persons who administer radiologic procedures meet the credentialing standards in 42 C.F.R
• Part 75 - Standards for the Accreditation of Educational Programs for and the Credentialing of Radiologic Personnel
• To meet this requirement - 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
• Accredited dental hygiene 3 programs contain curriculum addressing radiologic procedures meets the requirement for certification as dental radiographers
• Exceptions for Non-Certified Dental Hygienist:
  Non-certified applicants who otherwise meet the eligibility requirements for licensure - may be given a temporary appointment as a graduate dental hygienist under the authority of 38 U.S.C. § 7405(c)(2)(B) - Temporary Full-Time Appointments - Part-Time Appointments and Without-Compensation Appointments for a Period Not to Exceed Two Years
• Non-certified individuals shall only provide care under the supervision of a certified dental hygienist at or above the full performance level Non-certified individuals may only be appointed at the entry level and may not be promoted/converted until certification is obtained 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-09 Specialized Experience You must have one year of experience equivalent to the GS-8 grade level that demonstrates the clinical competencies described at that level
• Examples of experience at the next lower grade are: patient assessments (e
• risk assessments - oral health assessments) - prevention recommendations - prophylaxis - periodontal treatment for mild to moderate disease (e
• scaling and root planing - full mouth debridement) - Periodontal Screening and Recording (PSR) radiograph/image capture - fluoride treatment application - topical anesthesia administration and management of stable medically compromised patients (including risk factors).KSA at GS-8 level:
  Demonstrated Knowledge
  - Skills and Abilities
• The candidate must demonstrate the following Knowledge - Skills - and Abilities (KSAs) at…