Dentist Basic Requirements
Citizenship - Citizen of the United States.
Education - A degree of Doctor of Dental Surgery or Dental Medicine resulting from a course of education in dentistry. The degree must have been obtained from one of the schools approved by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs for the year in which the course of study was completed. Approved schools are (1) United States and Canadian schools of dentistry listed by the Commission on Dental Accreditation(CODA), in the list published for the year in which the course of study was completed.(2) Schools (including foreign schools) accepted by the licensing body of a State, Territory, or Commonwealth (i.e., Puerto Rico), or the District of Columbia as qualifying for full and unrestricted licensure provided the licensure requirements include a written examination measuring science achievement and a performance examination measuring clinical competence certification, and must obtain a copy of the ECFMG certificate, if claimed by the applicant.
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Residency or Comparable Experience - Completion of an approved residency program in general practice or specialty, or comparable experience as a dentist actively involved in treating medically compromised patients.
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Licensure and Registration - Current, full and unrestricted license to practice dentistry in a State, Territory, or Commonwealth of the United States, or in the District of Columbia. Note: Dentists must maintain current registration in the State of licensure if this is a requirement for continuing active, current licensure.
English Language Proficiency- Dentists, including residents, appointed to direct patient-care positions must be proficient in spoken and written English as required by 38 U.S.C. 7402(d) and 7407(d).
Preferred Experience: Strong preference to those with experience conducting lectures, mentoring and teaching. Strong preference to those with digital experience and board certification.
Grade Determinations:
Staff Dentist. An individual that demonstrates the ability in the field of general dentistry or a dental specialty who is employed to perform the duties related to various professional activities of patient care and treatment without supervision. In addition to meeting the basic requirements, applicants must demonstrate ability in the general practice of dentistry; be capable of assisting in maintaining accepted standards of professional care in VA facilities; and be capable of accepting full responsibility for the proper care and treatment of assigned patients.
Attending. A dentist who teaches and supervises fellows, residents, and students in the provision of dental treatment for Veterans. The attending dentist has primary responsibility for the care of the patient and provides direct patient care when not supervising trainees or performing other required duties. In addition to meeting the basic requirements, attendings must demonstrate the following:
(a) Ability in the field of dentistry and the ability to assist in maintaining accepted standards of professional care in VA facilities. Capable of accepting full responsibility for the proper care and treatment of assigned patients.
(b) Ability to train residents assigned to the service in facilities conducting residency training programs. An attending is a qualified dentist possessing privileges to perform all procedures being supervised. Attendings not holding a faculty appointment in an associated dental school must be recognized as an outstanding member of the profession of the caliber of a faculty member.
Consultant. A dentist who is capable of giving authoritative views and opinions on subjects in dentistry. A consultant's expertise may consist of broad administrative or professional experience enabling the consultant to give advice of distinctive value. In addition to meeting the basic requirements, consultants must demonstrate all of the following:
(a) Outstanding professional ability and professional experience in a dental specialty or advanced dentistry; and
(b) Ability to direct the educational training of residents in the appropriate specialty in facilities affiliated with approved dental schools. A consultant not holding a faculty appointment in an associated dental school should possess equivalent professional qualifications.
NOTE: All dentists, including residents, consultants and attendings, will accomplish the numerous administrative requirements of medical staff members, including but not limited to: mandatory training, attendance on medical center committees, and computer and privacy compliance.
Leadership/Manager Positions. Dentist leadership and management positions may be Section Chiefs, Assistant Chiefs, Service Chiefs, VISN Lead Dentists, Service Line Managers, Central Office Program Positions, Chiefs of Staff, or Directors (i.e., medical center and Veterans Integrated Service Network (VISN)). Dentists in leadership positions must demonstrate outstanding professional ability in the practice of dentistry or a dental specialty, and healthcare administration, as well as the ability to guide the development and implementation of programs within their respective domain. These would include, but are not limited to dental practice, professional standards, personnel issues, quality and performance improvement.
Service Chief/Service Line Manager/Lead Dentist. In addition to the above, Dentists in these roles must demonstrate effectiveness coordinating and managing interdisciplinary collaboration with both internal and external stakeholders to optimize the care of patients under their purview. It is expected individuals in these roles serve on a full-time basis.
Reference: Dentist Qualification Standard. For more information on this qualification standard, please visit
https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/.
Physical Requirements: Long periods of sitting and recurring bending and reaching are required while performing dental hygiene procedure. The General Dentist must also demonstrate above average dexterity in manipulating dental instruments and materials.