Dental Hygienist

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 Hygienist candidates must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with 38 U.S.C. § 7403(f). Education. Applicants must possess an Associate degree or higher from an accredited dental hygiene program. The degree must have been obtained from an institution whose accreditation was in place for the year in which the course of study was completed. Approved programs are: Dental hygiene programs accredited by the American Dental Association’s Commission on Dental Accreditation (CODA). Education completed outside of the United States must be considered at least equivalent to that gained in CODA accredited United States programs and would enable the candidate to sit for the National Board Dental Hygiene Examination, which is administered by the Joint Commission on National Dental Examinations. Licensure/Certification Licensure. Applicants must be currently licensed to practice as a Dental Hygienist with a full, current and unrestricted license in a State, Territory or Commonwealth of the United States, or the District of Columbia. Certification. P.L. 97-35, Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act Of 1981, requires persons who administer radiologic procedures meet the credentialing standards in 42 C.F.R. Part 75, Standards for the Accreditation of Educational Programs for and the Credentialing of Radiologic Personnel. To meet this requirement, they must have successfully completed an educational program that meets or exceeds the standards described in that regulation and is accredited by an organization recognized by the Department of Education and be certified as radiographers in their field. Accredited dental hygiene programs contain curriculum addressing radiologic procedures meets the requirement for certification as dental radiographers. Grade Determinations:GS-09 Experience. At least one year of experience at the next lower grade level (GS-08) that demonstrates the clinical competencies described at that level. Resume must include average hours worked per week for work experience credit. Demonstrated KSAs. In addition to meeting the KSAs for the GS-08 level, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs: 1. Knowledge of hygiene procedures to explain the process and indication, complications and expected treatment outcomes for each. 2. Knowledge of proper usage of dental radiography equipment, radiation safety, assessment of proper image capture and interpretation of films. 3. Knowledge to select appropriate available fluoride products and indications/limitations for safe and proper application. 4. Skill in detecting plaque and calculus, dental abnormalities/pathologies, assessing inflammation and providing safe instrumentation for each procedure. 5. Skill in educating patients and caregivers on periodontal disease, wellness, health maintenance, oral hygiene practices, parafunctional habits, and effects of illness, addictions, medications and tobacco on the oral cavity. 6. Ability to assess the patient’s medical, dental, anxiety/phobias, medications and comorbidities to administer safe patient care. 7. Ability to assess the impact of patient’s medical and dental condition on maintaining oral health, recognize age-related changes in individual patients, adapt patient environment, and maximize patient’s physical comfort. Preferred Experience: 3-5 years experience in dental hygiene. Registered Dental Hygienist (RDH). Knowledge of hygiene procedures to explain the process and indication complication and expected treatment outcomes for each. Utilizes dental imaging safety techniques and retakes are minimized. Provides direct patient care and receives guidance from higher level or supervisory staff member for only the most complex patients and requires only general supervision from a Dentist. Provides medical assessment, vital signs, full periodontal assessment and charting, and radiographs/image interpretations. Reference: VA Handbook 5005/146, PART II, APPENDIX G37, DENTAL HYGIENIST QUALIFICATION STANDARD, Dated July 23, 2021. Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/. The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-09. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of GS-05 to GS-09. Physical Requirements: Physical aspects associated with work required of this assignment are typical for the occupation, May require standing, lifting, carrying, sitting, stooping, bending, pulling, and pushing. May be required to wear personal protective equipment and undergo annual TB screening or testing as conditions of employment.
Dental Hygienists perform a wide variety of interventions which contribute to the overall oral health of Veterans to include providing direct patient care under the general supervision of the dentist and performs other clinical and clerical functions independently.