Dentist

Summary

Incumbent provides comprehensive care for patients who have illnesses within the scope of dentistry. The scope of these activities covers all phases of ambulatory care. May include education of medical students and residents and/or supervision of other providers. Devoted to patient care and education, for performance improvement activities, creative research to improve patient care, activities sufficient to maintain proficiency in state-of-the-art Dentistry care.

Duties

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• Provide comprehensive care for patients who have illnesses within the scope of dentistry.
• Scope of these activities covers all phases of ambulatory care.
• Responsibilities may include education of medical students and residents and/or supervision of other providers.
• Time is devoted to patient care and education
• Performance improvement activities, creative research to improve patient care, activities sufficient to maintain proficiency in state-of-the-art Dentistry care.
• Responds to and completes consults received for the evaluation of Dentistry.
• Performs a comprehensive, detailed, targeted, initial history and physical examination in compliance with national guidelines.
• Make clinical and radiographic examination of the oral cavity.
• Consults other disciplines, as necessary, to complete the patient evaluation.
• Carries out health promotion and disease prevention activities including education and shared decision-making.
• Surgical competence in dentistry procedures is desirable and documentation of procedures within the past 12 months will be requested reflective of the scope of privileges requested.
• Participate in all VISN and national level efforts in dental programs.
• Diagnose pathological or irregular oral conditions.
• Administer local anesthesia.
• Perform routine simple and complex restoration of teeth.
• Perform alveoloplasty and other routine surgical procedures.
• Perform prosthetic dentistry to include immediate dentures, full dentures, partial dentures, crowns and fixed bridge work. - Perform routine endodontic procedures on single or multi-canal teeth.
• Perform routine and surgical periodontal procedures.
• Writes Medical Orders and prescriptions for non-controlled substances and controlled substances, as necessary, for the care of the patient in accordance with Federal and State law and approval of the supervising Dentist.
• Documents the detailed, targeted, initial history and physical examination required for evaluation in the electronic tool(s) required by VA.
• Timely completion of dental notes within the Electronic Health Care Record, as well as assistance with VA community care referrals.

VA offers a comprehensive total rewards package.

Work Schedule: Monday to Friday - 8:00am - 4:30pm

Telework: Not Available

Virtual: This is not a virtual position.

Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: May be authorized

Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized

Contract Buy Out Program: This position may be eligible for the Physician / Provider Contract Buy Out Program (CBOP), which authorizes VHA to buy out service contracts (Locum agreements, loan repayments, sign-on bonus contracts, Physician-owned practices) in exchange for employment at certain rural or highly rural facilities for a period of obligated service (minimum 4 years). For additional information and eligibility requirements, contact the VHA Contract Buy Out Program Manager at [redacted].

Requirements

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Conditions of employment

• All qualified candidates encouraged to apply. Open to U.S. Citizens but non-citizens may be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens.
• All applicants tentatively selected for VA employment in a testing designated position are subject to urinalysis to screen for illegal drug use prior to appointment. Applicants who refuse to be tested will be denied employment with VA.
• Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959.
• Must be proficient in written and spoken English.
• Subject to background/security investigation.
• Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process. Acceptable form(s) of identification will be required to complete pre-employment requirements (https://www.uscis.gov/i-9-central/form-i-9-acceptable-documents). Effective May 7, 2025, driver's licenses or state-issued identification cards that are not REAL ID compliant cannot be utilized as an acceptable form of identification for employment.
• Must pass pre-employment physical evaluation/examination.
• Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP).
• You may be required to serve a probationary period.
• Complete all application requirements detailed in the "Required Documents" section of this announcement.

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.

Dentist Basic Requirements

• A degree of Doctor of Dental Surgery or dental medicine resulting from a course of education in dentistry. The degree must have been obtained from one of the schools approved by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs for the year in which the course of study was completed.
• Approved schools are (1) United States and Canadian schools of dentistry listed by the Commission on Dental Accreditation(CODA), in the list published for the year in which the course of study was completed.(2) Schools (including foreign schools) accepted by the licensing body of a State, Territory, or Commonwealth (i.e., Puerto Rico), or the District of Columbia as qualifying for full and unrestricted licensure provided the licensure requirements include a written examination measuring science achievement and a performance examination measuring clinical competence certification, and must obtain a copy of the ECFMG certificate, if claimed by the applicant. ~AND~
• Completed, or you are currently completing, a residency program in general practice or specialty, or comparable experience as a dentist actively involved in treating medically compromised patients. ~AND~
• Currently hold, or will hold, a current, full and unrestricted license to practice dentistry in a State, Territory, or Commonwealth of the United States, or in the District of Columbia. Note: Dentists must maintain current registration in the State of licensure if this is a requirement for continuing active, current licensure.

a. General Practice Resident. None beyond the basic requirements.

b. Residents in Dental Specialties

First-Year Residents. None beyond the basic requirements, however, paragraph 2c

above does not apply to the appointment of general practice residents.

Second and Third Year Residents. An individual at these levels must have the

qualifications of the first-year resident, and in addition, the appropriate period of time (one to three years depending on specialty) of approved residency training in the specialty or its

creditable equivalent.

c. Staff

Staff Dentist.

An individual that demonstrates the ability in the field of general dentistry or a dental specialty who is employed to perform the duties related to various professional activities of patient care and treatment without supervision.

In addition to meeting the basic requirements, applicants must demonstrate ability in the general practice of dentistry; be capable of assisting in maintaining accepted standards of professional care in VA facilities; and be capable of accepting full responsibility for the proper care and treatment of assigned

patients.

Attending.

A dentist who teaches and supervises fellows, residents, and students in the provision of dental treatment for Veterans. The attending dentist has primary responsibility for the care of the patient and provides direct patient care when not supervising trainees or performing other required duties. In addition to meeting the basic requirements, attendings must demonstrate the following:

(a) Ability in the field of dentistry and the ability to assist in maintaining accepted standards of professional care in VA facilities. Capable of accepting full responsibility for the proper care and treatment of assigned patients.

(b) Ability to train residents assigned to the service in facilities conducting residency training programs. An attending is a qualified dentist possessing privileges to perform all procedures being supervised. Attendings not holding a faculty appointment in an associated dental school must be recognized as an outstanding member of the profession of the caliber of a faculty member.

Consultant:

A dentist who is capable of giving authoritative views and opinions on subjects in dentistry. A consultant's expertise may consist of broad administrative or professional experience enabling the consultant to give advice of distinctive value. In addition to meeting the basic requirements, consultants must demonstrate all of the following:

(a) Outstanding professional ability and professional experience in a dental specialty or

advanced dentistry; and

(b) Ability to direct the educational training of residents in the appropriate specialty in facilities affiliated with approved dental schools.

A consultant not holding a faculty appointment in an associated dental school should possess equivalent professional qualifications.

NOTE 1: A dentist who represents a specialty for which no specialty board exists may be

appointed as a consultant if the individual possesses outstanding ability in the particular field of specialization.

NOTE 2: All dentists, including residents, consultants and attendings, will accomplish the

numerous administrative requirements of medical staff members, including but not limited to: mandatory training, attendance on medical center committees, and computer and privacy compliance.

Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/.

The full performance level of this vacancy is VM-15

Physical Requirements: The General Dentist performs dental procedures which may require sitting or standing for extended periods. The dentist must demonstrate manual dexterity and the ability to use dental instruments and tools. The position may involve lifting or moving patients or equipment.

Education

Note: Only education or degrees recognized by the U.S. Department of Education from accredited colleges, universities, schools, or institutions may be used to qualify for Federal employment. You can verify your education here: http://ope.ed.gov/accreditation/. If you are using foreign education to meet qualification requirements, you must send a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency with your transcript in order to receive credit for that education. For further information, visit: https://sites.ed.gov/international/recognition-of-foreign-qualifications/.

Additional information

This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies.

This position is in the Excepted Service and does not confer competitive status.

If you are unable to apply online or need an alternate method to submit documents, please reach out to the Agency Contact listed in this Job Opportunity Announcement.

Under the Fair Chance to Compete Act, the Department of Veterans Affairs prohibits requesting an applicant's criminal history prior to accepting a tentative job offer. For more information about the Act and the complaint process, visit Human Resources and Administration/Operations, Security, and Preparedness (HRA/OSP) at The Fair Chance Act.

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Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution.

Benefits

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A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.

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Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.