Dental Hygienist

Description:

The Dental Hygienist provides direct patient care under the general supervision of the dentist and performs other clinical and clerical functions, and other duties as assigned.

Requirements:

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: Must be proficient is written and spoken English.

Education - 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:

1. Dental hygiene programs accredited by the American Dental Association's Commission on Dental Accreditation (CODA).
2. 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 - 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: Public Law 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.
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 Dental Hygienist (Full Performance Level) - Experience Requirement:

1. In addition to meeting the basic requirements, to qualify for the GS-09 you must possess at least one (1) year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level (GS-08) and fully meet the following KSAs at the GS-08 level.
   1. Knowledge of state-of-the-art preventive dentistry measures for patient instruction and training.
   2. 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.
   3. Knowledge of The Joint Commission (TJC), Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), and related regulations and guidelines pertaining to dental matters.
   4. Skill in providing individual and group oral health care instructions to inpatients, outpatients, Nursing Home Care Unit patients, etc.

1. Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (KSAs). In addition to the experience above, 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:

• Management of patient maintenance care including scaling, polishing, fluoride application and oral hygiene instruction.
• Treatment of moderate to severe periodontitis cases when directed to do so with scaling and root planning.
• Certification of administration of local anesthesia preferred.
• Works well with adult patient population.
• Willingness and ability to work as part of a dental team.

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-9. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is GS-9.

Physical Requirements:
Physical aspects associated with work required of this assignment are typical for the occupation and would generally not require a pre-placement examination