Dental Assistant

Quick Facts

• Position: Dental Assistant (GS-3 to GS-6; full performance level GS-6)

• Schedule: Monday–Friday, 8:00am–4:30pm (compressed/flexible availability)

Description

The Dental Assistant prepares operatory/surgery areas, assists in routine and specialized dental procedures using four-handed dentistry, and supports timely turnover by cleaning and setting up dental units. The role uses knowledge of dental instruments, materials, and standardized procedures across restorative, surgical, endodontic, and periodontal care while following infection-control protocols. Responsibilities also include taking impressions, supporting prosthetic and diagnostic workflows, monitoring basic patient vital signs, and assisting with radiographic tasks as required.

Responsibilities

• Assist in routine general dental procedures with four-handed dentistry

• Pass instruments safely, accurately, and efficiently

• Keep the operative field clear and retract oral tissues effectively

• Prepare dental medicaments and impression materials per manufacturer instructions

• Complete intra-operative procedures following standard infection-control protocols

• Monitor and perform basic interpretation of patient vital signs (BP, pulse, pulse oximeter) during invasive treatment and recovery

• Apply topical anesthetic at the injection site

• Take diagnostic and preliminary impressions; pour impressions and prepare study models

• Prepare final denture impression trays and bite rims

• Remove plaque and soft debris from removable prostheses

• Provide procedure-specific and post-operative patient education and oral hygiene instruction

• Assist in specialized procedures (oral surgery, endodontics, periodontics, prosthodontics, implant placement and restoration)

• Fabricate athletic mouth guards and bleaching trays

• Perform dental laboratory functions as needed

• Capture standard and special dental images (traditional or digital) and process/retrieve them (as applicable)

• Enter and retrieve data using electronic dental records

Requirements

• U.S. citizenship

• Proficiency in written and spoken English

• Subject to background/security investigation and pass a pre-employment physical evaluation

• Complete required onboarding and provide acceptable identification (REAL ID compliant as of May 7, 2025)

• Participate in the seasonal influenza vaccination program

• Selective Service registration required for males born after 12/31/1959

• Meet education/experience requirement: 6 months relevant experience OR 1-year CODA-accredited dental assistant program OR equivalent combination

• Radiology credentialing: complete an approved dental radiology health and safety education/exam pathway; certification as required for radiologic procedures (temporary graduate appointment may be available for eligible non-certified applicants)

• BLS certification is highly desirable

• DANB certification is highly desirable (required for positions above full performance)

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

Benefits

• 37–50 days of annual paid time off per year (annual leave, sick leave, and federal holidays)

• Paid parental leave up to 12 weeks after 12 months of employment

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

• Traditional federal pension (5 years vesting) and federal 401(k) with up to 5% VA contributions

• Federal health/vision/dental/term life/long-term care coverage options (many may carry into retirement)

• No telework; not a virtual position