Dental Assistant; Expanded Function

Overview

Join the Indian Health Service dental team and make a meaningful difference in the lives of American Indian and Alaska Native patients. As an Expanded Functions Dental Assistant, you will work alongside dental providers in an environment dedicated to delivering compassionate, high‑quality oral health care.

• Performs routine and complex alloy and composite restorations, including pin retention, cusp buildups, multi‑surface restorations, and incisal angle replacement.
• Selects, adapts, seats, and cements stainless steel crowns and fabricates and places temporary crowns and bridges.
• Places bases and liners, contours matrices, carves and polishes restorations, and finishes complex restorations independently within established guidelines.
• Performs advanced chairside assisting allowing the dentist to transition to the next patient.
• Applies and removes rubber dams, removes sutures, applies periodontal dressings, and takes preliminary impressions.
• Performs oral prophylaxis and advanced calculus removal using ultrasonic and hand instruments.
• Conducts expanded dental laboratory functions, including mounting casts on articulators and pouring final impressions.
• Actively participates in quality assurance/quality improvement activities, community outreach, and patient education.
• Exercises greater judgment in selecting instruments and techniques, with work reviewed periodically rather than continuously.

• Must be a U.S. citizen.
• Male applicants born after 12/31/1959 must register with the Selective Service.
• Selectees may be subject to a probationary period.
• Successful completion of the E‑Verify employment verification check is required.
• Applicants must set up direct deposit for payroll.
• The position requires completion of a federal background investigation within five calendar days of issuance; timely completion is essential.
• A review of the applicant's financial history is required to ensure financial responsibility and suitability.

• Individual Occupational Requirements:
  Dental Assistant Series 0681.
• Radiological Certification Requirements:
  Must meet credentialing standards in 42 CFR Part 75 and be an accredited radiographer.
• Specialized Experience (GS‑06):
  At least one year of specialized experience equivalent to the next lower grade level involving intra‑oral procedures such as alloy and composite restorations, crown placement, and advanced chairside assisting.
• Education (GS‑06): A half year (9 semester hours) of graduate‑level education toward a master’s or higher degree in Dental Hygiene, Dentistry, or a related field.
• Combination of Education and Experience (GS‑06):
  At least 100% of the required percentage of education and experience combined (calculated as total months of experience / 12 plus semester hours / 9).

This position has an education requirement. Submit a copy of official or unofficial transcripts detailing courses, credit hours, and grades. Only degrees from institutions accredited by agencies recognized by the U.S. Department of Education are considered. Foreign education must be accompanied by a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency.

Applicants are evaluated under the OPM Merit Hiring Plan and may be asked to provide brief essay responses. Candidates should be committed to improving government efficiency, upholding the Constitution, and the rule of law.