Career Center

Summary

The Dental Hygienist performs at the full performance level. They provide oral prophylaxis - scaling and root planning - topical application of drugs - and one-on-one instruction in proper preventative dental procedure and nutritional information and receives guidance from supervisory staff for only the most complex patients. The Dental Hygienist may also become responsible for the care and treatment of veterans who participate in the Homeless Veterans Dental Program.

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.

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
• 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
• 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 3 programs contain curriculum addressing radiologic procedures meets the requirement for certification as dental radiographers
• Exceptions for Non-Certified Dental Hygienist: Non-certified applicants who otherwise meet the eligibility requirements for licensure - may be given a temporary appointment as a graduate dental hygienist under the authority of 38 U.S.C. § 7405(c)(2)(B) - Temporary Full-Time Appointments - Part-Time Appointments and Without-Compensation Appointments for a Period Not to Exceed Two Years
• Non-certified individuals shall only provide care under the supervision of a certified dental hygienist at or above the full performance level Non-certified individuals may only be appointed at the entry level and may not be promoted/converted until certification is obtained May qualify based on being covered by the Grandfathering Provision as described in the VA Qualification Standard for this occupation (only applicable to current VHA employees who are in this occupation and meet the criteria)
• Grade Determinations: GS-09 Specialized Experience You must have one year of experience equivalent to the GS-8 grade level that demonstrates the clinical competencies described at that level
• Examples of experience at the next lower grade are: patient assessments (e.g
• risk assessments - oral health assessments) - prevention recommendations - prophylaxis - periodontal treatment for mild to moderate disease (e.g
• scaling and root planing - full mouth debridement) - Periodontal Screening and Recording (PSR) radiograph/image capture - fluoride treatment application - topical anesthesia administration and management of stable medically compromised patients (including risk factors).KSA at GS-8 level: Demonstrated Knowledge - Skills and Abilities
• The candidate must demonstrate the following Knowledge - Skills - and Abilities (KSAs) at the GS-08 level: Knowledge of state-of-the-art preventive dentistry measures for patient instruction and training
• Knowledge of anatomy and physiology in order to interpret the examination request accurately
• to understand the functioning and interrelationship of the various anatomical structures appearing on the radiographic image and the various stages of the examination to judge the acceptability of the radiograph for diagnostic use
• and to present for viewing
• Knowledge of The Joint Commission (TJC) - Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) - and related regulations and guidelines pertaining to dental matters
• Skill in providing individual and group oral health care instructions to inpatients - outpatients - Nursing Home Care Unit patients - etc
• GS-9 KSA In addition you must meet the Demonstrated Knowledge - Skills and Abilities
• The candidate must demonstrate the following Knowledge - Skills - and Abilities (KSAs) at the GS-09 level: Knowledge of hygiene procedures to explain the process and indication - complications and expected treatment outcomes for each
• Knowledge of proper usage of dental radiography equipment - radiation safety - assessment of proper image capture and interpretation of films
• Knowledge to select appropriate available fluoride products and indications/limitations for safe and proper application
• Skill in detecting plaque and calculus - dental abnormalities/pathologies - assessing inflammation and providing safe instrumentation for each procedure
• 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
• Ability to assess the patient's medical - dental - anxiety/phobias - medications and comorbidities to administer safe patient care
• 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: Minimum of five (5) years of experience practicing clinical hygiene with preference given to applicants who have experience working within a VA Medical Center
• Previous training and certification in administering local anesthesia (both block and infiltration) under supervision of a dentist
• Reference: For more information on this qualification standard - please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/
• Physical Requirements: Long periods of sitting and recurring bending and reaching are required while performing dental hygiene procedures
• The hygienist must also demonstrate above average dexterity in manipulating dental instruments and materials

Duties

• Duties include but are not limited to: Relationships with management - co-workers - patients - and the general public are consistently courteous - respectful - and cooperative in nature
• Employee will display a cooperative attitude and will effectively work together to implement the organization's mission and goals and support performance measures
• Employee will ensure productivity is maintained at the established level utilizing recommended Central Office Relative Value Unit (RVU) requirements
• Sets up operatory for planned dental procedure and cleans the dental unit for timely turnover
• Completes preliminary dental examinations on dental service patients
• Performs a complete oral prophylaxis on ambulatory and non-ambulatory patients
• Performs deep subgingival scaling - root planing - and curettage under local anesthesia
• Polishes the teeth and applies stannous fluoride for hypersensitivity and caries prevention
• Gives home care instructions to patients after curettage
• Provides bedside prophylactic treatment using specialized procedures for comatose patients - neurosurgical patients - and other types of non-ambulatory patients
• In postoperative care of oral surgery and periodontal surgery patients - performs suture removal - changes dressings - applies topical anesthetics - and provides home care instructions
• In oral cancer patients - takes impressions for construction of mouth guards - applies fluoride - and maintains recall system for careful follow-up of each patient
• Educates patient on need for daily oral health and fluoride treatment
• Assists the dentist by making repairs and adjustments to the teeth by smoothing rough edges of restorations - removing overhanging margins of fillings - reducing sharp edges of fractured teeth - polishing and finishing amalgam restorations - and inserting temporary fillings in teeth
• Handles instruments safely
• Cleans dental prosthesis - fixed and removable
• Manages dental recall system - referring patients to the dentist for additional care when needed
• Provides patient education appropriate to the veteran's needs and oral condition
• Accomplishes all procedures within standard infection control protocols
• Instructs patients at chairside in oral hygiene - brushing and flossing techniques - and periodontal aids which increase the amount of stimulation to the teeth
• Plans and adapts instructions in home care techniques - tailoring them to the oral hygiene needs and oral problems of individual patients
• Explains to patients the causes of periodontal disease and tooth decay - and the importance of diet as it relates to oral and systemic health
• Presents demonstrations in oral health care to various patient groups such as diabetics - hemodialysis patients - and drug or alcohol dependent patients using dental education materials and aides
• Regularly instructs nurses and nursing assistants in the proper techniques of oral hygiene to be applied to the bedridden - handicapped - disabled and chronically ill patient
• Provides adequate stock of oral hygiene supplies and instruction pamphlets for clinic patients
• Images are characterized by diagnostic quality - accurately oriented and exposed
• Dental imaging safety techniques are utilized - and retakes are minimized
• Exposes radiographs on patients including bite wing - periapical and panoramic x[1]rays
• Adjusts voltage - amperage - and timing of x-ray equipment
• Positions film and machine to insure coverage of area to be x-rayed
• Demonstrates proper infection control procedures in setting up and cleaning dental operatories Ensures Instruments are properly pre-treated for pick-up by SPS personnel Demonstrates proper infection control procedures in exposing images Maintains patient confidentiality per HIPAA with written and verbal information Follows computer security regulations 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 JCAHO requirements Monitors patient condition during treatment - being alert for signs of physical distress Assists patients in scheduling appointments Assists in filling gaps in the schedule due to late cancellations and failed appointments Charts findings - treatment plans - and treatment provided in patient records in a concise and understandable manner
• Complies with Employee Education requirements Completes mandatory annual safety training sessions Work Schedule: Monday - Friday 8:00am - 4:30pm Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position
• Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized