Dental Hygienist

Quick Facts

• Role: Dental Hygienist (full-time)

• Schedule: Monday–Friday, 7:30am–4:00pm

• Remote work: Not available

• Supervision: Provides direct patient care under a dentist’s general supervision; performs many clinical/clerical functions independently.

Description

Provide direct dental patient care including setup/turnover of the operatory, periodontal and preventive services, dental radiographs, intraoral examinations, and patient education. Complete procedures within standard infection-control protocols, process instruments for sterilization, and document and code care in the VA charting system. Coordinate scheduling and manage dental recall/referral needs for additional doctor care when indicated.

Responsibilities

• Prepare and clean operatory; ensure timely turnover and safe instrument handling
• Perform dental prophylaxis and periodontal maintenance (gross debridement, curettage, scaling & root planning); polish teeth and apply topical fluoride
• Provide periodontal and preventive interventions (topical fluoride carrier trays, desensitizing materials, sealants, localized antimicrobials when indicated)
• Clean dental prostheses (fixed/removable) and make impressions for fluoride carrier trays
• Conduct head and neck exams and complete intraoral inspection; consult the dentist for abnormal findings
• Expose prescribed radiographs with diagnostic-quality imaging; apply radiation safety techniques and minimize retakes
• Perform infection control for setup/cleanup and radiograph exposure; prepare instruments for sterilization per SPD standards and maintain instruments per manufacturer instructions
• Provide patient education and individual/group oral health instruction for inpatients, outpatients, and caregivers
• Schedule and assist patients using VA scheduling software; help fill gaps from cancellations/no-shows
• Chart findings, treatment plans, and treatment provided; accurately code and document electronically in VA systems

Requirements

• U.S. citizenship
• Associate degree or higher from an accredited dental hygiene program (CODA-accredited; foreign education must be equivalent)
• Current full, unrestricted state/territory/commonwealth or DC dental hygienist license
• Meet radiologic procedure credentialing/certification standards (42 C.F.R. Part 75)
• Proficient in written and spoken English
• Subject to background/security investigation
• Complete online onboarding and pre-employment requirements
• Seasonal influenza vaccination requirement
• Selective Service Registration (for males born after 12/31/1959)
• Comply with pre-employment urinalysis testing if selected

Benefits

A federal employment package may include comprehensive benefits for you and your family. Eligibility depends on the position type and whether the role is full-time, part-time, or intermittent; specific benefits are provided by the hiring agency.