Clinical Expanded Function Dental Assistant

Clinical Expanded Function Dental Assistant

Clinical expanded function dental assistants perform assigned selected procedures with some independence. Some complex patient procedures are performed under indirect supervision of a more experienced clinical expanded function dental assistant, lead dental assistant, or dentist.

Duties include, but are not limited to:

• Expanded function duties:
• 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 restorations
• Removes temporary crown/bridges and clean tooth preparations of debris
• Fabricates, adjusts and cements temporary crowns/bridges
• Removes permanent cement from supragingival surfaces
• Removes sutures
• Places and removes surgical dressings
• Monitors local anesthetics and analgesics
• Performs coronal polishing of teeth
• Removes hard accretions from and adjusts, polishes removable prostheses
• Demonstrates oral hygiene procedures
• Places and removes matrices for restorations
• Irrigates extraction sites
• Captures CBCT images
• Competent in using the digital dentistry equipment to include scanning, transferring, and fabricating lab prostheses
• Customer Service:
• Shows courtesy, respect, and a positive attitude for patients, co-workers and the public
• Provides assistance to customers with questions or concerns, provides service recovery
• 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
• Infection Control and Equipment Sterilization:
• Demonstrates proper infection control procedures in setting up and cleaning up operatories
• Disinfects oral appliances to prevent cross contamination
• Properly prepares instruments for transfer to SPS for sterilization
• Follows all Standard Operating Procedures for Reusable Medical Equipment
• Works closely with SPD to ensure availability of instruments so that clinical care is not delayed
• Demonstrates proper infection control procedures in exposing images
• Clerical Functions:
• Assists patients in scheduling appointments
• Assists in filling gaps in the doctor's schedule due to late cancellations and failed appointments
• Assists dentist in charting findings and treatment plans in patient records
• Performs as time-keeper, dental supply clerk and local administrative assistant
• Information Management:
• Maintains patient confidentiality per HIPAA with written and verbal information
• Follows computer security regulations
• Patient Safety:
• Modifies care as necessitated by patient's age and abilities (patient transfer and position)
• Provides accurate and understandable instructions to patients
• Participates in patient identification and time out per Joint Commission requirements
• Monitors patient condition during treatment, being alert for signs of physical distress

Work Schedule: Full-time; M-Th, 7:30am-5pm, every other F, 7:30am-4pm

Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not authorized

Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not authorized

Requirements Conditions of Employment:

• You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job.
• All applicants tentatively selected for VA employment in a testing designated position are subject to urinalysis to screen for illegal drug use prior to appointment. Applicants who refuse to be tested will be denied employment with VA.
• Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959.
• Must be proficient in written and spoken English.
• You may be required to serve a trial period.
• Subject to background/security investigation.
• Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process.
• Acceptable form(s) of identification will be required to complete pre-employment requirements.
• Effective May 7, 2025, driver's licenses or state-issued identification cards that are not REAL ID compliant cannot be utilized as an acceptable form of identification for employment.
• Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP).

Qualifications:

• Basic Requirements:
• United States Citizenship: Non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy.
• Experience and Education: Experience. Six months experience that demonstrates the applicant's ability to perform the work, or provides familiarity with the work. OR, Education. Successful completion of a 1-year dental assistant program accredited by the American Dental Association's Commission on Dental Accreditation CODA.
• OR, Experience/Education Combination. Equivalent combinations of experience and education are qualifying.
• Certification: Public Law 97-35 requires that persons who administer radiologic procedures meet the credentialing standards in 42 CFR Part 75.
• Provisions for Certification of Radiologic Competence:
• Successful completion of the Dental Radiation Health and Safety Examination administered by the Dental Assisting National Board, Inc.;
• Successful completion of the Principles and Practice of Dental Radiology and Radiographic Safety courses and examinations developed by the Assistant Under Secretary for Health for Dentistry.
• OR, Successful completion of a radiation health and safety program or examination approved by a state board of dentistry or the Department of Defense (DoD).
• Certification by the Dental Assisting National Board (DANB). The American Dental Association (ADA) recognizes DANB as the national certification for Dental Assistants.
• English Language Proficiency: Dental assistants must be proficient in spoken and written English.
• Grade Determinations: GS-7 Clinical Expanded Function Dental Assistant Experience: At least 1 year of experience at the next lower grade level, GS-6, or equivalent that demonstrates the core competencies described at that level.
• AND Certification: Certification by the Dental Assisting National Board (DANB) AND Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs): In addition, the candidate must demonstrate the following technical KSAs