Dental Assistant
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, Smyrna, GA, United States
Summary
This is an Open Continuous Announcement and will remain open until April 27 – 2026. The initial cut‑off date for referral of eligible applications will be March 12 – 2026. Eligible applications received after that date will be referred at regular intervals or as additional vacancies occur on an as‑needed basis until positions are filled.
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
United States Citizenship: Non‑citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy.
English Language Proficiency.
Dental assistants must be proficient in spoken and written English as required by 38 U.S.C. 7403(f).
Experience and Education: Six months experience demonstrating the applicant’s ability to perform the work, or familiarity with the work.
Education: Successful completion of a 1‑year dental assistant program accredited by the American Dental Association’s Commission on Dental Accreditation (CODA).
Experience/Education Combination: Equivalent combinations of experience and education are qualifying.
Certification: Radiologic competence required. Criteria include successful completion of the Dental Radiation Health and Safety Examination administered by the Dental Assisting National Board – Inc.; the Principles and Practice of Dental Radiology and Radiographic Safety courses and examinations developed by the Assistant Under Secretary for Health for Dentistry; or a radiation health and safety program or examination approved by a state board of dentistry or the Department of Defense.
Non‑certified applicants who otherwise meet eligibility may be given a temporary appointment; failure to obtain certification during the appointment period may lead to termination.
Basic life support certification highly desirable.
Certification by the Dental Assisting National Board (DANB). The American Dental Association recognizes DANB as the national certification for Dental Assistants.
Grading: GS‑6 Staff Dental Assistant Experience. At least 1 year of experience (equivalent to the next lower grade level) demonstrating core competencies at that level.
Dental assistants at GS‑6 or above must possess the technical KSAs listed below, including identification of oral anatomy, advanced knowledge of instruments and materials, monitoring of vital signs, patient education, imaging quality, equipment maintenance, data entry, and laboratory procedures.
May qualify under the Grandfathering Provision, which applies only to current VHA employees in this occupation who meet the criteria.
For more information on this qualification standard, visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/.
Physical Requirements: See VA Directive and Handbook 5019 – Employee Occupational Health Service.
Duties
Sets up operatory and/or surgery suite for planned dental procedures and cleans the dental unit for timely turnover.
Possesses advanced knowledge of instruments, materials, and standardized dental procedures used in all phases of restorative, surgical, endodontic, and periodontal care.
Assists in routine general dental procedures using concepts of four‑handed dentistry.
Passes instruments safely, accurately, and efficiently.
Maintains the 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.
Monitors and performs basic interpretation of patient vital signs (blood pressure, pulse, pulse oximeter) during invasive treatment and during the recovery period following procedure.
Applies topical anesthetic at the injection site.
Takes impressions for diagnostic casts and preliminary impressions for prosthetic fabrication.
Pours impressions and prepares study models.
Makes final denture impression trays and prepares bite rims.
Removes plaque and soft debris from removable prostheses.
Provides procedure‑specific patient‑preventive education and oral hygiene instruction.
Provides post‑operative and other appropriate patient education.
Assists in specialized dental procedures—such as oral surgery, endodontics, periodontics, prosthodontics, implant placement, and restoration.
Fabricates athletic mouth guards and bleaching trays.
Exposes both standard and specialty dental imaging (TMJ, cephalometric, cone beam) in traditional and/or digital formats.
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 SPS to ensure availability of instruments so that clinical care is not delayed.
Demonstrates proper infection‑control procedures in exposing images.
Assists in filling gaps in the dentist’s schedule due to late cancellations and failed appointments.
Initiates computerized progress notes.
Assists the dentist in charting findings and treatment plans in patient records.
Maintains patient confidentiality per HIPAA with written and verbal information.
Follows computer security regulations.
Modifies care as necessitated by the patient’s age and abilities (patient transfer and position).
Provides accurate and understandable instructions to patients.
Participates in patient identification and time‑out per the Joint Commission requirements.
Monitors patient condition during treatment and is alert for signs of physical distress.
Complies with employee education requirements.
Completes mandatory annual training sessions.
Benefits
Work schedule: 2‑3 Saturdays per month, 7:30 AM–4:00 PM.
Recruitment incentive (sign‑on bonus): Not authorized.
Permanent change of station (relocation assistance): Not authorized.
Pay: Competitive salary with regular salary increases.
Paid time off: 37–50 days of annual paid time off per year, including 13–26 days of annual leave, 13 days of sick leave, and 11 paid federal holidays per year.
Selected applicants may qualify for credit toward annual leave accrual based on prior work experience or military service experience.
Parental leave: After 12 months of employment, up to 12 weeks of paid parental leave in connection with birth, adoption, or foster care placement of a child.
Child care subsidy: After 60 days of employment, full‑time employees with a total family income below $144,000 may be eligible for a childcare subsidy up to 25% of total eligible childcare costs for eligible children up to the monthly maximum of $416.66.
Retirement: Traditional federal pension (5 years vesting) and federal 401(k) with up to 5% contributions by VA Insurance.
Health insurance: Federal health, vision, dental, term life, and long‑term care (many federal insurance programs can be carried into retirement).
Telework: Not available.
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Functional Statement # 59277F. Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not authorized.
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This is an Open Continuous Announcement and will remain open until April 27 – 2026. The initial cut‑off date for referral of eligible applications will be March 12 – 2026. Eligible applications received after that date will be referred at regular intervals or as additional vacancies occur on an as‑needed basis until positions are filled.
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
United States Citizenship: Non‑citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy.
English Language Proficiency.
Dental assistants must be proficient in spoken and written English as required by 38 U.S.C. 7403(f).
Experience and Education: Six months experience demonstrating the applicant’s ability to perform the work, or familiarity with the work.
Education: Successful completion of a 1‑year dental assistant program accredited by the American Dental Association’s Commission on Dental Accreditation (CODA).
Experience/Education Combination: Equivalent combinations of experience and education are qualifying.
Certification: Radiologic competence required. Criteria include successful completion of the Dental Radiation Health and Safety Examination administered by the Dental Assisting National Board – Inc.; the Principles and Practice of Dental Radiology and Radiographic Safety courses and examinations developed by the Assistant Under Secretary for Health for Dentistry; or a radiation health and safety program or examination approved by a state board of dentistry or the Department of Defense.
Non‑certified applicants who otherwise meet eligibility may be given a temporary appointment; failure to obtain certification during the appointment period may lead to termination.
Basic life support certification highly desirable.
Certification by the Dental Assisting National Board (DANB). The American Dental Association recognizes DANB as the national certification for Dental Assistants.
Grading: GS‑6 Staff Dental Assistant Experience. At least 1 year of experience (equivalent to the next lower grade level) demonstrating core competencies at that level.
Dental assistants at GS‑6 or above must possess the technical KSAs listed below, including identification of oral anatomy, advanced knowledge of instruments and materials, monitoring of vital signs, patient education, imaging quality, equipment maintenance, data entry, and laboratory procedures.
May qualify under the Grandfathering Provision, which applies only to current VHA employees in this occupation who meet the criteria.
For more information on this qualification standard, visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/.
Physical Requirements: See VA Directive and Handbook 5019 – Employee Occupational Health Service.
Duties
Sets up operatory and/or surgery suite for planned dental procedures and cleans the dental unit for timely turnover.
Possesses advanced knowledge of instruments, materials, and standardized dental procedures used in all phases of restorative, surgical, endodontic, and periodontal care.
Assists in routine general dental procedures using concepts of four‑handed dentistry.
Passes instruments safely, accurately, and efficiently.
Maintains the 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.
Monitors and performs basic interpretation of patient vital signs (blood pressure, pulse, pulse oximeter) during invasive treatment and during the recovery period following procedure.
Applies topical anesthetic at the injection site.
Takes impressions for diagnostic casts and preliminary impressions for prosthetic fabrication.
Pours impressions and prepares study models.
Makes final denture impression trays and prepares bite rims.
Removes plaque and soft debris from removable prostheses.
Provides procedure‑specific patient‑preventive education and oral hygiene instruction.
Provides post‑operative and other appropriate patient education.
Assists in specialized dental procedures—such as oral surgery, endodontics, periodontics, prosthodontics, implant placement, and restoration.
Fabricates athletic mouth guards and bleaching trays.
Exposes both standard and specialty dental imaging (TMJ, cephalometric, cone beam) in traditional and/or digital formats.
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 SPS to ensure availability of instruments so that clinical care is not delayed.
Demonstrates proper infection‑control procedures in exposing images.
Assists in filling gaps in the dentist’s schedule due to late cancellations and failed appointments.
Initiates computerized progress notes.
Assists the dentist in charting findings and treatment plans in patient records.
Maintains patient confidentiality per HIPAA with written and verbal information.
Follows computer security regulations.
Modifies care as necessitated by the patient’s age and abilities (patient transfer and position).
Provides accurate and understandable instructions to patients.
Participates in patient identification and time‑out per the Joint Commission requirements.
Monitors patient condition during treatment and is alert for signs of physical distress.
Complies with employee education requirements.
Completes mandatory annual training sessions.
Benefits
Work schedule: 2‑3 Saturdays per month, 7:30 AM–4:00 PM.
Recruitment incentive (sign‑on bonus): Not authorized.
Permanent change of station (relocation assistance): Not authorized.
Pay: Competitive salary with regular salary increases.
Paid time off: 37–50 days of annual paid time off per year, including 13–26 days of annual leave, 13 days of sick leave, and 11 paid federal holidays per year.
Selected applicants may qualify for credit toward annual leave accrual based on prior work experience or military service experience.
Parental leave: After 12 months of employment, up to 12 weeks of paid parental leave in connection with birth, adoption, or foster care placement of a child.
Child care subsidy: After 60 days of employment, full‑time employees with a total family income below $144,000 may be eligible for a childcare subsidy up to 25% of total eligible childcare costs for eligible children up to the monthly maximum of $416.66.
Retirement: Traditional federal pension (5 years vesting) and federal 401(k) with up to 5% contributions by VA Insurance.
Health insurance: Federal health, vision, dental, term life, and long‑term care (many federal insurance programs can be carried into retirement).
Telework: Not available.
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Functional Statement # 59277F. Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not authorized.
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