The Charleston VA Healthcare Network is seeking a Clinical Expanded Function Dental Assistant. The candidate will perform advanced dental assisting duties with greater scope, complexity, and clinical responsibility. Working under indirect supervision from a lead dental assistant, supervisor, or dentist, the incumbent provides routine patient care and independently performs selected expanded-function procedures.
Total Rewards of a Allied Health Professional Major duties may include, but are not limited to: Expanded Function Duties Perform mouth mirror inspections of the oral cavity. Gather diagnostic information. Conduct pulp vitality testing. Chart existing restorations and oral conditions. Select shades for fixed and removable prostheses. Place and remove rubber dams, matrix bands, retraction cords & intracoronal temporary restorations.
Remove temporary crowns/bridges and clean tooth preparations. Fabricate, adjust, and cement temporary crowns. Remove excess permanent cement from supragingival surface, sutures & surgical dressings. Monitor nitrous oxide/oxygen analgesia. Perform coronal polishing of teeth. Customer Service Provide courteous, respectful, and professional service to patients, coworkers, and the public. Address customer questions and concerns. Deliver effective service recovery when needed.
Chairside Assisting Prepare operatories and dental units for procedures. Safely and efficiently pass instruments during procedures. Maintain a clear operative field and retract oral tissues comfortably. Prepare dental materials according to manufacturer instructions. Follow infection control standards during procedures.
Assist with general and specialty dental procedures, including: Oral surgery Endodontics Periodontics Prosthodontics Implant placement and restoration Maintain routine and specialty dental equipment. Dental Imaging Expose standard and specialty dental radiographs, including: TMJ imaging Cephalometric imaging Cone beam imaging Adjust imaging settings to achieve diagnostic-quality images. Ensure proper image orientation and exposure.
Follow radiation safety protocols and minimize retakes. Complete imaging requests within established timeframes. Infection Control & Sterilization Follow infection control procedures when setting up and breaking down operatories. Disinfect oral appliances to prevent cross-contamination. Prepare instruments for sterilization through SPD. Adhere to all Reusable Medical Equipment (RME) procedures. Coordinate with SPD to maintain instrument availability.
Apply infection control standards during dental imaging procedures. Clerical Functions Assist patients with appointment scheduling. Fill schedule gaps caused by cancellations and no-shows. Initiate computerized progress notes. Assist dentists with charting findings and treatment plans. Information Management Maintain HIPAA compliance and patient confidentiality. Follow computer and information security requirements.
Patient Safety Adapt patient care based on age, mobility, and functional abilities. Provide clear and understandable instructions. Participate in patient identification and time-out procedures. Monitor patients for signs of physical distress during treatment. Employee Education Complete mandatory employee education requirements. Attend annual safety and compliance training. Dental Laboratory Functions Pour impressions and prepare study models.
Fabricate final denture impression trays and bite rims. Create athletic mouthguards and bleaching trays. Perform additional laboratory procedures as needed and qualified. Direct Patient Care Monitor and record vital signs, including: Blood pressure Pulse Pulse oximetry Observe patients during invasive procedures and recovery. Apply topical anesthetics. Apply fluoride treatments. Take diagnostic and preliminary prosthetic impressions.
Remove plaque and soft debris from removable prostheses. Provide preventive dental education and oral hygiene instruction. Deliver postoperative and patient care instructions. Work Schedule: Mon-Fri | 6:30am -3:00pm Recruitment/Relocation Incentives (Sign-on Bonus): Authorized Permanent Change of Station (Relocation Assistance): Not authorized Pay: Competitive salary and regular salary increases.
When setting pay, a higher step rate of the appropriate grade may be determined after consideration of higher or unique qualifications or special needs of the VA (Appointment Above the Minimum Rate). Parental Leave: After 12 months of employment, up to 12 weeks of paid parental leave in connection with the birth, adoption, or foster care placement of a child.
Child Care Subsidy: After 60 days of employment, full time employees with a total family income below $144,000 may be eligible for a childcare subsidy up to 25% of total eligible childcare costs for eligible children up to the monthly maximum of $416.66.
Retirement: Traditional federal pension (5 years vesting) and federal 401K with up to 5% in contributions by VA Insurance: Federal health/vision/dental/term life/long-term care (many federal insurance programs can be carried into retirement) Telework: Not available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #:56246F Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not authorized.
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/.
This position is with Veterans Health Administration, Department of Veterans Affairs.
The posted pay range is $50460 – $65599/yr.
Applications close on 2026-11-12.
This is a Mon-Fri | 6:30am -3:00pm position.
This position is open under the 'Public' hiring path.
Source: USAJOBS.gov — U.S. Federal Government · Retrieved 2026-11-03 · Not affiliated with or endorsed by OPM or USAJOBS.gov
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