Dental Assistant

The Primary Purpose of the Position is: The Dental Assistant assists the dentist in many aspects of direct patient care and performs other clinical and clerical functions independently of direct supervision. Dental assistants at this level serve as staff dental assistants at the full performance level for more routine patient care and perform some complex patient procedures under general supervision of more experienced dental assistants or dental supervisor.

U.S. Citizens, Nationals or those who owe allegiance to the U.S.

Current federal employees whose agencies follow the U.S. Office of Personnel Management's hiring rules and pay scales.

Current federal employees whose agencies have their own hiring rules, pay scales and evaluation criteria.

Current federal employees of the hiring agency that posted the job announcement.

This announcement is open to current, permanent employees of the Department of Veteran Affairs, current permanent Federal employees and the Public. NOTE: The 2-page Resume requirement does not apply to this position. For more information, refer to Required Documents below.

Duties include but are not limited to:

Customer Service:

• Shows courtesy, respect, and a positive attitude for patients, co-workers and the public
• Assists customers with questions or concerns, provides service recovery.

Chair Side 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 intra-operative procedures within standard infection control protocols.
• Assists in routine general dental procedures using concepts of four-handed dentistry.
• Assists in specialized dental procedures, such as oral surgery, endodontics, periodontics, and prosthodontics.
• Maintains both routine and specialty dental equipment per manufacturer instructions and dental service standards

Dental Imaging:

• Exposes both standard and specialty dental imaging in a digital format.
• Modifies setting 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 operatory.
• Disinfects oral appliances to prevent cross contamination.
• Prepares instruments for