Dentist

Summary

The General Dentist is responsible for the overall oral health care of eligible Veterans, including diagnosing, treating, and managing various dental conditions. The dentist will perform oral health assessments, treatments, and promote preventive care. The role involves working in a collaborative healthcare environment to deliver high-quality dental services.

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Duties

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The General Dentist provides a wide range of clinical dental procedures for both inpatient and outpatient eligible Veterans, as assigned by the Chief of Dental Service or designee. The dentist will demonstrate proficient diagnosis and treatment skills, including emergency care and procedures in preventive, restorative, surgical, endodontic, periodontic, and prosthodontic dentistry. Additional duties encompass administrative responsibilities, educational contributions, and pursuing departmental goals and metrics, as well as other duties as assigned by the Chief of Dental Service or designee.

Patient Care:

• Provide dental care that will restore, prevent, or remedy dental disease and injuries of the teeth, jaws, and related structures of veterans according to generally accepted standards of dental practice and scope of services based upon statutory eligibility.
• Provide a broad range of routine and complex procedures including restorative, endodontic, prosthetic, periodontic, and oral surgery.
• Facilitate community care referrals.
• Provide emergency dental care.
• Educate Veterans on proper oral hygiene techniques and the importance of regular dental visits, encouraging effective oral health practices to prevent diseases and decay.
• Communicate effectively with Veterans regarding their treatment options, procedures, and outcomes.
• Maintain accurate and up-to-date patient records, including treatment plans and progress notes.

Administrative Duties:

• Complete monthly Clinical Point of Care Reviews and semiannual Ongoing Professional Practice Evaluations.
• Maintain regular attendance at Service level meetings, such as staff meetings, case presentation and implant board, and Facility Medical Staff Meetings.
• Participate in interdisciplinary care discussions and contribute to the development of comprehensive care plans.
• When assigned by the Chief of Dental Service, attend and present as needed to Facility meetings and workgroups (CPRC, IPRC, RSM, PMC, etc.)

Goal Attainment:

• Strive to meet or exceed various metrics set by the Service, Facility, and Department of Veterans Affairs.
• Ensure timely closure of all patient encounters, maintain requisite RVU's per clinical hour, and keep the dental monitors current.

Education:

• Support the AEGD Residency program and other educational initiatives involving the Dental Service by providing effective instruction to dental students, residents, and other staff.
• Engage in continuous professional development and share knowledge with colleagues to enhance the overall quality of care.

Customer Service

• Demonstrate patient-centered care that upholds the values of the VA.
• Interact courteously and respectfully with patients, visitors, coworkers, and other community organizations.
• Address customer concerns and handle criticism/conflicts constructively and appropriately.
• Work collaboratively with other dental and healthcare professionals, including dental hygienists, dental assistants, and administrative staff.

Compliance:

• Adhere to all regulations and guidelines set for the regulatory bodies, including maintaining appropriate continuing education and licensing requirements.
• Follow all clinic protocols, policies, and procedures to ensure a safe and compliant clinical environment.
• Adhere to infection control protocols and standard precautions to ensure a safe clinical environment for Veterans and staff.
• Ensure the proper use, maintenance, and functionality of dental equipment and instruments.

VA offers a comprehensive total rewards package.

Work Schedule: Intermittent; Monday - Friday, 8:00 am - 4:30 pm

Telework : Not Available

Virtual : This is not a virtual position.

Relocation/Recruitment Incentives : Not Authorized

Permanent Change of Station (PCS) : Not Authorized

Requirements

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Conditions of employment

• All qualified candidates are encouraged to apply. Open to U.S. citizens, but non-citizens may be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens.
• 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.
• 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.
• Must pass pre-employment physical examination.
• Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP).
• You may be required to serve a probationary period.
• Complete all application requirements detailed in the "Required Documents" section of this announcement.

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.

Dentist Basic Requirements

• Citizenship. Citizen of the United States. (Noncitizens may be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with section A, chapter 3, paragraph 3g, this part.)

• Education: A degree of Doctor of Dental Surgery or dental medicine resulting from a course of education in dentistry. The degree must have been obtained from one of the schools approved by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs for the year in which the course of study was completed. Approved schools are:

1. United States and Canadian schools of dentistry listed by the Commission on Dental Accreditation(CODA), in the list published for the year in which the course of study was completed.
2. Schools (including foreign schools) accepted by the licensing body of a State, Territory, or Commonwealth (i.e., Puerto Rico), or the District of Columbia as qualifying for full and unrestricted licensure provided the licensure requirements include a written examination measuring science achievement and a performance examination measuring clinical competence certification, and must obtain a copy of the ECFMG certificate, if claimed by the applicant.

~AND~

• Residency or Comparable Experience: Completed, or you are currently completing, a residency program in general practice or specialty, or comparable experience as a dentist actively involved in treating medically compromised patients.

~AND~

• Licensure: Currently hold, or will hold, a current, full and unrestricted license to practice dentistry in a State, Territory, or Commonwealth of the United States, or in the District of Columbia. Note: Dentists must maintain current registration in the State of licensure if this is a requirement for continuing active, current licensure.

• English Language Proficiency. Dentists, including residents, appointed to direct patient-care positions must be proficient in spoken and written English as required by 38 U.S.C. 7402(d) and 7407(d).

Staff Dentist. An individual who demonstrates the ability in the field of general dentistry or a dental specialty and who is employed to perform the duties related to various professional activities of patient care and treatment without supervision. In addition to meeting the basic requirements, applicants must demonstrate ability in the general practice of dentistry; be capable of assisting in maintaining accepted standards of professional care in VA facilities; and be capable of accepting full responsibility for the proper care and treatment of assigned patients.

Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit

Physical Requirements: The General Dentist performs dental procedures which may require sitting or standing for extended periods. The dentist must demonstrate manual dexterity and the ability to use dental instruments and tools. The position may involve lifting or moving patients or equipment.

Education

Note: Only education or degrees recognized by the U.S. Department of Education from accredited colleges, universities, schools, or institutions may be used to qualify for Federal employment. You can verify your education here: If you are using foreign education to meet qualification requirements, you must send a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency with your transcript in order to receive credit for that education. For further information, visit:

Additional information

This is an OPEN CONTINUOUS ANNOUNCEMENT and will remain open until August 6, 2027. Eligible applications will be referred to the Hiring Manager every 2 weeks until the position is filled.

This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies.

This position is in the Excepted Service and does not confer competitive status.

VA encourages persons with disabilities to apply. The health-related positions in VA are covered by Title 38 and are not covered by the Schedule A excepted appointment authority.

If you are unable to apply online or need an alternate method to submit documents, please reach out to the Agency Contact listed in this Job Opportunity Announcement.

Under the Fair Chance to Compete Act, the Department of Veterans Affairs prohibits requesting an applicant's criminal history prior to accepting a tentative job offer. For more information about the Act and the complaint process, visit Human Resources and Administration/Operations, Security, and Preparedness (HRA/OSP) at The Fair Chance Act.

"Whole Health is an approach to health care that empowers and equips people to take charge of their health and well-being and live their life to the fullest. The VA is committed to Whole Health and values Veteran and Employee health and well-being. As a VA employee, you will practice Whole Health in an environment that supports personalized and proactive care."

The VA has adopted Core Values and Characteristics that apply universally across the Department. The five Core Values define "who we are," our culture, and how we care for Veterans, their families, and other beneficiaries.

The Values are I ntegrity, C ommitment, A dvocacy, R espect, and E xcellence (" I CARE ").

As a VA professional, your opportunities are endless. With many openings in the multiple functions of VA, you will have a wide range of opportunities and leadership positions at your fingertips.

Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution.

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A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.

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Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.