Summary

The Dental Assistant (Clinical Expanded Function) performs a higher level - scope - complexity and variety of dental assisting duties representing the clinical assignment - and applies advanced clinical skills. Performs the full range of duties for routine patient care with indirect supervision from the lead or supervisory dental assistant or the treating dentist.

Qualifications

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
• (Non-citizens may be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified candidates in accordance with chapter 3 - section A - paragraph 3g - this part.) English Language Proficiency
• Dental assistants must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with chapter 2 - section D - paragraph 5a - this part
• Experience and Education (1) Experience
• Six months experience that demonstrates the applicant's ability to perform the work - or provides familiarity with the work
• OR - (2) Education
• Successful completion of a 1-year dental assistant program accredited by the American Dental Association's Commission on [Dental] Accreditation [(CODA)]
• (3) Experience/Education Combination
• Equivalent combinations of experience and education are qualifying
• Certification-Documentation Submitted: 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
• May qualify based on being covered by the Grandfathering Provision as described in the VA Qualification Standard for this occupation (only applicable to current VHA employees who are in this occupation and meet the criteria)
• Physical Requirements
• See VA Directive and Handbook 5019
• Grade Determinations: GS-7 Clinical Expanded Function Dental Assistant Experience
• At least 1 year of experience at the next lower grade level or equivalent that demonstrates the core competencies described at that level
• In addition - the candidate must demonstrate the following technical KSAs: Demonstrated Knowledge - Skills - and Abilities a
• Ability to perform dental assisting expanded functions
• b
• Comprehensive working knowledge of advanced imaging techniques in order to provide instruction (e.g
• cone beam - cephalometric - advanced panoramic imaging - TMJ - etc)
• Assignment: In this position - the employee performs a higher level - scope - complexity and variety representing the clinical assignment - and applies advanced clinical skills
• Representative duties at this level include - but are not limited to: gathering diagnostic information - pulp vitality testing - charting of existing conditions - placing of rubber dam and matrices - selecting shades - placing retraction cord - placing and removing temporary restorations - fabricating temporary crowns and removing permanent cement from supragingival surfaces
• In addition - the expanded function assistant may place and remove surgical dressing - monitor nitrous oxide analgesia - and perform coronal polishing and the cleaning and polishing of removable prostheses
• Preferred Experience: One year experience as an Oral Surgeon Dental Assistant
• DANB Certification Reference: For more information on this qualification standard - please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/
• The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-7. Physical Requirements: See VA Directive and Handbook 5019.

Duties

• Duties Include - but are not limited to: Functions: Assists the general dentist and dental specialist in many aspects of direct patient care and performs other clinical and clerical functions independently of direct supervision
• Performs mouth mirror inspection of the oral cavity Gathers diagnostic information Performs pulp vitality testing Charts existing restoration and conditions Selects shades for fixed and removable prostheses Places and removes rubber dams and matrix bands Places and removes retraction cord Places and removes intracoronal temporary restoration Removes temporary crown/bridge and clean tooth preparation of debris Fabricates - adjusts and cements temporary crowns Removes permanent cement from supragingival surfaces Removes sutures Places and removes surgical dressings Monitors nitrous oxide/oxygen analgesic Performs coronal polishing of teeth Removes hard accretions from and polishes removable prostheses Chairside Assisting Sets up operatory and/or surgery suite for planned dental procedure and cleans dental unit for timely turnover Passes instruments safely - accurately - and efficiently Keeps operative field clear of debris and retracts oral tissues effectively and comfortably Prepares dental medicaments and impression materials per manufacturer's instructions Accomplishes all intra-operative procedures within standard infection control protocols Assists in routine general dental procedures using concepts of four-handed dentistry Assists in specialized dental procedures - such as oral surgery - endodontics - periodontics - prosthodontics - implant placement and restoration Maintains both routine and specialty dental equipment per manufacturer instructions and dental service standards Dental Imaging Exposes both standard and specialty dental imaging (i.e
• TMJ - ceph - cone beam) in traditional and/or digital formats Modifies settings to achieve the images as requested by the provider Images are characterized by diagnostic quality - accurately oriented and exposed Dental imaging safety techniques are utilized - and retakes are minimized Imaging requests are accomplished within the desired time frame Direct Patient Care Monitors patient vital signs (BP - pulse - pulse oximeter) and condition during invasive treatment and during recovery period following procedure Applies topical anesthetic at the injection site Applies topical fluoride Makes impressions for diagnostic casts and preliminary impressions for prosthetic fabrication Removes plaque and soft debris from removable prostheses Provides patient preventative education and oral hygiene instruction Provides post-operative and other appropriate patient education Work Schedule: Monday-Friday - 7am to 3:30pm Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position
• Functional Statement #: 50256F Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized