Dental Assistant

Dental Assistant Job Duties

The total rewards of a Allied Health Professional duties for the dental assistant include but are not limited to:

Direct Patient Care - Assists in Routine Dental Procedures/Restorative

• Sets up operatory/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. Accomplishes all intra-operative procedures within standard infection control protocols. Selects, adapts and places matrix bands and wedges to normal and abnormal teeth. Places cavity liners and bases on prepared teeth.
• Prepares a wide variety of dental materials for permanent and temporary restoration of teeth. Fabricates, places, finishes and removes all types of provisional restorations to include temporary crowns/bridges. Applies topical anesthetics and desensitizing agents. Accomplishes coronal polishing of teeth.

Direct Patient Care - Assists in Specialized Dental Procedures, such as Oral Surgery, Periodontics (including Laser and Implant Surgery), Endodontics, and Prosthetics (including Implant Surgery)/Oral Surgery

• Prepares IMED consent appropriate to surgery procedure.
• Appropriately labels and dates all medicaments placed on the sterile surgery field.
• Removes sutures.
• Properly trained to assist in the operating room setting.
• Able to stand for long hours at a time during complex surgery procedures.

Dental Laboratory Functions

• Pour impressions and prepares study models.
• Makes final denture impression trays (custom trays) and prepares bite rims.
• Fabricates vacuum formed items such as stints, soft mouth guards and fluoride trays.
• Polishes prostheses after appliance has been adjusted.
• Performs other dental laboratory functions as time and skill levels allow.

Dental Imaging/Radiography

• Performs the full range of dental radiography by correctly positioning the patient.
• Protects the patient from unwanted radiation exposure by correctly utilizing a variety of lead shields.
• 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.
• Maintains and cleans all developing equipment.

Infection Control and Equipment Sterilization

• Demonstrate proper infection control procedures in setting up and cleaning up operatory. Instruments are properly prepared for sterilization by SPD standards.
• Instruments are prepared in a manner that does not delay clinical care.

Clerical Functions

• Assists in filling gaps in dentist's schedule due to late cancellations and failed appointments.
• Assists dentist in charting findings and treatment plans in Dental Record Manager.

Information Management

• Maintains patient confidentiality per HIPPA 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 : Monday-Friday, 8:00 am to 4:30 pm (Subject to change based on the needs of the service)

Pay : Competitive salary and regular salary increases. When setting pay, a higher step rate of the appropriate grade may be determined after consideration of higher or unique qualifications or special needs of the VA (Above Minimum Rate of the Grade).

Paid Time Off : 37-50 days of annual paid time offer per year (13-26 days of annual leave, 13 days of sick leave, 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 the 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 401K with up to 5% in contributions by VA

Insurance : Federal health/vision/dental/term life/long-term care (many federal insurance programs can be carried into retirement)

Telework : Not Available

Virtual : This is not a virtual position

Functional Statement # : 598-00480-F/00481-F/00482-F/00483-F

Permanent Change of Station (PCS) : Not Authorized