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.
Basic Requirements:
Citizenship. Citizen of the United States.
English Language Proficiency. Dental assistants must be proficient in spoken and written English.
Experience and Education
Experience. Six months experience that demonstrates the applicant's ability to perform the work, or provides familiarity with the work.
OR
Education. Successful completion of a 1-year dental assistant program accredited by the American Dental Association's Commission on Dental Accreditation (CODA).
OR
Experience/Education Combination. Equivalent combinations of experience and education are qualifying.
Certification. Public Law 97-35 requires that persons who administer radiologic procedures meet the credentialing standards in 42 CFR Part 75. Essentially, 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.
Provisions for Certification of Radiologic Competence Successful completion of the Dental Radiation Health and Safety Examination administered by the Dental Assisting National Board, Inc.
OR
Successful completion of the Principles and Practice of Dental Radiology and Radiographic Safety courses and examinations developed by the Assistant Under Secretary for Health for Dentistry.
OR
Successful completion of a radiation health and safety program or examination approved by a state board of dentistry or the Department of Defense (DoD).
Non-certified applicants who otherwise meet the eligibility requirements for certification of radiologic competence may be given a temporary appointment as a graduate dental assistant under the authority of 38 U.S.C. § 7405 (a) (1) (D). Failure to obtain certification during that period is justification for termination of the temporary appointment. This [will result in removal from the GS-681 series and] may result in termination of employment.
Certification in basic life support methods is highly desirable.
Certification by the Dental Assisting National Board (DANB). The American Dental Association (ADA) recognizes DANB as the national certification for Dental Assistants. DANB certification is not required, but highly desirable for the appointment of Dental Assistants up to and including the full performance level and is required for all positions above the full performance level.
- Grandfathering Provision. All persons employed in VHA in this occupation on the effective date of this qualification standard are considered to have met all qualification requirements for the title, series and grade held, including certification [(for positions above the full performance level)] that are part of the basic requirements of the occupation. See VA Handbook 5005/46 Part II Appendix G36.
GRADE REQUIREMENTS
Grade Determinations. In addition to the basic requirements for employment, the following criteria must be met when determining the grade of candidates.
GS-3 Experience or Education. None beyond the basic requirements.
GS-4 Experience or Education. In addition to the basic requirements, 1 year of experience at the next lower level, OR 2 years of education above high school that included completion of a dental assistant program accredited by the American Dental Association's Commission on Dental Accreditation (CODA). In addition, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs:
a. Basic knowledge of infection control and safe instrument handling.
b. Basic knowledge of dental procedures and [medical emergencies.
c. Ability to perform basic radiographic image capture and processing/retrieval.
d. Basic knowledge of maintenance, care and storage of dental equipment.
e. Basic knowledge of patient privacy requirements.
GS-5 Experience or Education In addition to the requirements listed at GS-4 above, applicants must demonstrate at least 1 year of experience [equivalent to at the next lower grade level that demonstrates the core competencies described at that level
OR
Successful completion of a full 4-year course of study that included or was supplemented by completion of a dental assistant program by CODA. In addition to meeting the areas above, the applicant must demonstrate the following KSA's:
a. Knowledge of anatomy and [ability to evaluate diagnostic quality.
b. Broad knowledge of common medical emergencies and vital signs measurement.
c. Basic knowledge of instruments, materials and standardized dental procedures.
d. Ability to learn and utilize software programs used within VHA.
e. Basic communication skills to provide patient instructions according to established protocol.
GS-6 Staff Dental Assistant (Full Performance Level)
Experience. At least 1 year of experience [equivalent to] the next lower grade level that demonstrates the core competencies described at that level. In addition, the candidate must demonstrate the following technical KSAs:
a. Ability to identify normal oral anatomy.
b. Advanced knowledge of instruments, materials, and standardized dental procedures used in all phases of restorative, surgical, endodontic and periodontal care and procedures.
c. Ability to monitor and perform basic interpretation of vital signs.
d. Ability to independently provide procedure-specific patient education and appropriate referral of patient concerns to treating dentist.
e. Ability to capture standard and special dental images of good diagnostic quality in traditional or digital formats.
f. Ability to perform maintenance on dental equipment used for routine and specialty dentistry.
g. Ability to enter and retrieve data utilizing electronic dental records.
h. Ability to perform dental assistant-appropriate laboratory procedures.
Preferred Experience: individuals with the Certification by the Dental Assisting National Board (DANB).
The full performance level of this announcement is a GS-06. You may be selected between the grades of GS-3 through GS-6.
Physical Requirements: Work involves regular and recurring exposure to potential hazards of radiation and communicable diseases. Assistant uses lead shielding or takes other acceptable measures for protection against radiation and disease and uses personal protective equipment (e.g. surgical gowns, masks, eye wear, gloves, etc.) during clinical procedures and in accordance with service guidelines and policies. Long periods of standing, walking, sitting, and bending are required for the entire shift.