Dental Assistant (EF)

To qualify for this position, your resume must state sufficient experience and/or education, to perform the duties of the specific position for which you are applying.

Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religious; spiritual; community; social). You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer and part time experience. You must clearly identify the duties and responsibilities in each position held and the total number of hours per week.

Individual Occupational Requirements
NOTE: Public Law 97-35 requires that persons who administer radiologic procedures meet the credentialing standards in 42 CFR Part 75. Essentially, they must (l) 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 (2) be certified as radiographers in their field. The following meet these requirements:
(1) Persons employed by the Federal Government as radiologic personnel prior to the effective date of the regulation (January 13, 1986) who show evidence of current or fully satisfactory performance or certification of such from a licensed practitioner such as a doctor of medicine, osteopathy, dentistry, podiatry, or chiropractic who prescribes radiologic procedures to others.
(2) Persons first employed by the Federal Government as radiologic personnel after the effective date of the regulation who (a) received training from institutions in a State or foreign jurisdiction that did not accredit training in that particular field at the time of graduation, or (b) practiced in a State or foreign jurisdiction that did not license that particular field or did not allow special eligibility to take a licensure examination for those who did not graduate from an accredited educational program, provided such persons show evidence of training, experience, and competence, as determined by OPM or the employing agency.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:
The following shows the amounts of education and/or experience required to qualify for positions covered by this standard:
GS-02: 3 months of general experience or High school graduation or equivalent.
GS-03: 6 months of general experience
GS-04: 6 months of general experience and 6 months of specialized experience
GS-05: One (1) year of specialized experience equivalent to at least GS-04
GS-06: One (1) year of specialized experience equivalent to at least GS-05.

General Experience
(l) Any type of work that demonstrates the applicant's ability to perform the work of the position OR
(2) experience that provided a familiarity with the subject matter or processes of the broad subject area of the occupation.

Specialized Experience (for positions at GS-4 and above): Experience in dental assistance to general or specialized dentistry, dental assistant (expanded function) work, or any combination of these appropriate to the position being filled.

-- OR --

Education and Training
GS-03: Successful completion of (a) a 1-year dental assistant program or completion of l year of a dental hygiene program accredited by the American Dental Association's Commission on Accreditation that included a course in radiation physics; radiation biology; radiation health, safety, and protection; X-ray films and radiographic film quality, radiographic techniques; darkroom and processing techniques; and film mounting; or (b) practical nurse training approved by the appropriate State, territory, or District of Columbia accrediting body.

GS-04: Successful completion of a 2-year dental assistant program or completion of a 2-year dental hygiene program accredited by the American Dental Association's Commission on Accreditation that included at least 12 semester hours of courses such as those shown above for GS-3.

GS-05: Successful completion of a full 4-year course of study in a dental assistant or dental hygiene program that included at least 24 semester hours in courses as shown above for GS-3.

Examples of specialized experience:
GS-04: Clean, polish and oil equipment. Clean and sharpen instruments; sterilize instruments using autoclave and dryclave techniques. Prepare sterile trays, packs, sutures, etc. Schedule and route patients for services as required. Receive and prepare patients for treatment such as routine restoration. Lay out instruments and materials needed for treatment. Provide chairside assistance during oral examinations and restorative treatments. Operate oral evacuator and suction tip to keep area of operation clear. Retract tissue, cheek and tongue. Relay to patient post treatment instructions from dentist.

GS-05: Receive patients and schedules appointments. Record information related to medical history of patient. When required route patient for medical tests and services. Chart examination and treatment information as relayed by dentist on patient records. Record information as directed by dentist on prescriptions and a variety of forms related to dental care for signature of dentist. Prepare and arrange all instruments and materials needed for each treatment. Prepare patient and operatory. Assist dentist at chair side as anticipated or required in all phases of general dentistry. Pass instruments and materials to and retrieve them from the dentist. Keep area of operation clear using high speed evacuator, suction tip and irrigation. Retract tissue, tongue and cheek. In surgical procedures maintain aseptic condition, stabilize tissue for dentist and cut sutures. Keep alert to condition of patient during treatment for signs of fainting, shock, or other distress. Relay to patient instructions from dentist for post-treatment care. Operate dental X-ray equipment to take intra and extra-oral radiographs. Develop and finish film.

GS-06: Maintain supply levels and cleanliness of dental station; sterilize instruments, materials and equipment. Assist patient in completing medical history statements. Record examination and treatment information as relayed by dentist. Instruct patient in preventive dental care: demonstrate brushing and flossing techniques and use of disclosing tablets; explain the common cause of decay and its relationship to general diet. Take preliminary impressions for study models and modify impression trays as needed. Pour and trim models from impressions. Construct custom impression trays. Restore teeth prepared by dentist; place cavity bases and liners on prepared tooth; place matrix bands and wedges when required; place, condense, carve and finish simple amalgam restorations, such as those not requiring retentive pins or cusp replacement; places, compress and finish synthetic single-surface anterior restorations; place and contour temporary restorations. Apply rubber dam and place cotton rolls to isolate operative site. As directed by dentist remove sutures, apply topical anesthesia, desensitizing agents, medication and surgical gauze following extractions, apply and remove periodontal dressings. Expose and develop intra and extra-oral radiographs. Provide chairside assistance, anticipating dentist's need for various instruments, materials and services. Place pit and fissure sealants.

You must meet all qualification requirements within 30 days of the closing date of the announcement.