Dentist (General Dentistry)

General Dentistry Dental Officer Duties

The general dentistry dental officer shall be proficient in all aspects of general dentistry including the ability to perform selected specialty services. Specifically, the provider should possess the expertise and competency to perform the following:

• Make oral and radiographic examinations of the oral cavity. Provide consultation and treatments within the scope of their specific clinical privileges. Providing outpatient, inpatient care for patients eligible for dental care.
• Diagnose pathological or irregular oral conditions.
• Function as the primary clinician or subject matter expert responsible for performing procedures, education and training affecting the daily clinical operations of the subspecialty.
• Administers local anesthesia.
• Periodically examine or evaluate patients to determine need for further dental care.
• Performs routine and complex restoration of teeth.
• Performs simple and appropriate complex extractions of teeth
• Performs appropriate surgical procedures.
• Performs prosthetic dentistry to include immediate dentures, full dentures, partial dentures, crowns and fixed bridge work.
• Performs routine endodontic procedures on single and multi-canal teeth.
• Performs routine periodontal procedures.
• Function as an equal member within the larger team of staff dentists and auxiliary staff.
• May provide education and training to members of the medical staff through various conferences, committees and lecture series.
• May be assigned administrative or managerial responsibilities through participation in clinical, educational and administrative committees, task groups and/or special projects.
• Initiating and expediting requests for consultation intra-facility, inter-facility, (Non-VA) community care, and ordering special tests and studies.
• Prescribing medications within defined scope of dental practice.
• Ordering relative diagnostic studies such as laboratory tests or radiographs.
• Providing education and counseling of patients and families in preventive care, medical conditions, and use of prescribed treatments and drugs.
• Conducting Compensation and Pension (C&P) Exams as requested by Veterans Benefit Administration (VBA) and Regional Office with training and privileges.
• Assist in meeting Performance Measures for clinical dental care.
• Completes all mandatory training requirements timely, attends mandatory medical center committee meetings and complies with computer and privacy directives.
• Assist with other collateral duties as assigned by Chief of Service (supervisor), Chief of Staff, or Director.
• The scope of practice that a specific provider may perform is defined through the medical center credentialing and privileging process.

Work Schedule: 7:00am - 3:30pm Monday - Friday

US Department of Veterans Affairs