Dental Assistant

Quick Facts

• Role: Staff Dental Assistant (GS-06 full performance level)

• Schedule: Monday–Friday, tour of duty selected between 7:00 a.m. and 5:30 p.m.

Description

Provide chairside and technical assistance for restorative dentistry, endodontics, periodontics, radiology, and oral surgery. Prepare the operatory, support infection control and sterilization processes, capture diagnostic-quality dental images (traditional or digital), and deliver patient education and scheduling. Act as a liaison between the Dental Clinic and the medical center sterilization program and assist specialty clinicians as needed.

Responsibilities

• Set up and clean dental units for timely operatory turnover

• Pass instruments safely and keep the operatory field clear

• Prepare dental medicaments and impression materials per manufacturer instructions

• Capture diagnostic dental images with proper orientation and exposure while minimizing retakes

• Demonstrate infection control procedures and prepare instruments for sterilization per SPD standards

• Provide patient education appropriate to veteran needs and oral conditions

• Assist with operating room procedures and support oral surgery in the operating room following OR protocol

• Answer phones and schedule patients

• Assist periodontist, oral surgeon, and endodontist

Requirements

• U.S. citizenship

• Proficiency in written and spoken English

• Pass pre-employment physical evaluation

• Subject to background/security investigation

• Complete online onboarding and pre-employment documentation

• Comply with drug testing (urinalysis) if selected

• Selective Service registration (for eligible males born after 12/31/1959)

• Participate in the seasonal influenza vaccination program

• Complete a 1–2 year trial period as a condition of employment

• 6 months qualifying experience OR a 1-year ADA CODA-accredited dental program OR equivalent combination

• Meet radiology credentialing requirements (42 CFR Part 75 / Public Law 97-35) via an approved dental radiation health and safety exam/training pathway

Benefits

• Competitive pay with regular salary increases

• Paid time off (annual leave, sick leave, and federal holidays)

• Parental leave after 12 months of employment

• Child care subsidy eligibility after 60 days (income-based)

• Federal retirement pension and 401(k) with up to 5% employer contributions

• Federal health/vision/dental/term life/long-term care insurance options

• Not a telework or virtual position