Dental Assistant

Summary

This is an open continuous announcement until September 30, 2026. Qualified applicants will be considered and referred as vacancies become available.

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.
• English Language Proficiency:
  Dental assistants must be proficient in spoken and written English as required by 38 U.S.C. 7403(f).
• Experience:
  
  Six months experience that demonstrates the applicant's ability to perform the work – or provides familiarity with the work.
• Education:
  
  Successful completion of a 1-year dental assistant program accredited by the American Dental Association's Commission on Dental (CODA).
• Certifications:
  
  Public Law 97‑35 requires that persons who administer radiologic procedures meet the credentialing standards in 42 CFR Part 75; must have successfully completed an educational program that meets or exceeds the standards described in that regulation and be certified as radiographers.
• Certification of Radiologic Competence: (a) Completed Dental Radiation Health and Safety Examination administered by the Dental Assisting National Board – Inc.; (b) Completed Principles and Practice of Dental Radiology and Radiographic Safety courses and examinations; or (c) Completed a radiation health and safety program approved by a state board or DoD. Non‑certified applicants who otherwise meet eligibility may be given a temporary appointment as a graduate dental assistant;
  
  failure to obtain certification during the period is justification for termination.
• Certification in basic life support methods is highly desirable.
• Dental Assisting National Board (DANB) certification is not required but highly desirable; required for all positions above the full performance level.
• Grade Determinations:
  Candidates must meet criteria when determining the grade, e.g., Staff Dental Assistant – GS‑06, at least 1 year of experience equivalent to GS‑05 assignment, etc.

• Staff Dental Assistants at this level serve at the full‑performance level with the ability to perform a full range of duties and selected procedures with some independence.
• Receive guidance from more experienced staff for complex patient issues and require direct supervision and daily contact with the supervisor.
• Set up operatory or surgery suite, clean dental unit for timely turnover.
• Maintain advanced knowledge of instruments, materials, and standardized dental procedures across all phases of restorative, surgical, endodontic, and periodontal care.
• Assist in routine general dental procedures using four‑handed dentistry concepts.
• Pass instruments safely, accurately, and efficiently; keep operative field clear of debris and retract oral tissues effectively.
• Prepare dental medicaments and impression materials per manufacturer’s instructions; perform intra‑operative procedures within standard infection control protocols.
• Monitor and interpret patient vital signs (BP, pulse, pulse oximeter) during invasive treatment and recovery.
• Apply topical anesthetic at injection site; take impressions for diagnostic casts and preliminary prosthetic impressions.
• Prepare study models, fabricate denture impression trays and bite rims; remove plaque and soft debris from removable prostheses.
• Provide procedure‑specific patient education and oral hygiene instructions; deliver post‑operative and other appropriate patient education.
• Assist in specialized dental procedures (oral surgery, endodontics, periodontics, prosthodontics, implant placement and restoration).
• Fabricate athletic mouth guards and bleaching trays; expose dental imaging (TMJ, cephalometric, cone‑beam) in traditional and digital formats.
• Perform proper infection‑control procedures for operatories, oral appliances, and radiographic imaging; disinfect, prepare instruments for sterilization; follow SOP for reusable equipment.
• Work closely with Sterile Processing Services to ensure instrument availability and…