Dental Hygienist

Full Job 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.

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: 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 - 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: 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.

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. Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (KSAs).

In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs: 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: 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 Major Duties:

The Dental Hygienist: Sets up operatory for planned dental procedures and cleans dental unit for timely turnover. Handles instruments safety, accurately and efficiently.

Assists with initial or recall exams by taking radiographs and performing full mouth probing. Provides gross debridement and scaling/ root planning/ curettage procedures.

Cleans dental prostheses fixed and removable. Manages the dental recall system- refers patients to the doctor/dentist for additional care when needed. Applies desensitizing and sealant materials.

Makes impressions for fluoride carriers' trays. Administers topical anesthetic agents and accomplishes all procedures within the standards of infections control protocols.

Properly utilizes dental radiography equipment Assesses proper image capture and interpretation of films. Images are characterized by diagnostic quality, accurately oriented, and exposed.

Dental imaging safety techniques are utilized, and retakes are minimized. Demonstrate proper infection control procedures in setting up and cleaning up the operatory.

Instruments are properly prepared for sterilization by SPS standards. Instruments are prepared in a manner that does not delay clinical care.

Demonstrates proper infection control procedures in exposing images. Assists in filling gaps in the schedule due to late cancellations and failed appointments.

Charts findings, treatment plans, and treatment provided in patient records. Maintains patient confidentiality per HIPAA with written and verbal information.

Follows computer security regulations Modifies care as appropriate for patient's age and abilities (patient transfer and position). Provides accurate and understandable instructions to patients.

Participates in patient identification and time out per Joint Commission requirements. Monitors patient condition during treatment, being alert for signs of physical distress.

Complies with Employee Education requirements. Completes mandatory annual safety training sessions. Completes mandatory education requirements.

Maintains current certification in cardiopulmonary resuscitation. Prepares educational materials and programs and presentations to dental and medical center staff as requested.

Actively participates in program planning, supervision, and training of dental hygiene students and dental assisting students during their educational rotation in the dental clinic.

Participates in performance improvement activities (including collecting and analyzing data). Participates in committee and team functions as assigned.

Provides direct patient care and receive guidance from higher-level or supervisory staff members for only the most complex patients and require only general supervision from a dentist.

Patient medical assessment (e.g.

medical/dental history, social history, vital signs, full periodontal assessment and charting), disease and treatment management recommendations, denture care, scaling and root planning, radiographs/image interpretation patient education (e.g.

post-procedure, tobacco cessation, caries and perio-disease prevention), behavior management, management of stable medically compromised patients (including risk factors), instrument sharpening, inter-service communication.

Utilizes knowledge of the Reusable Medical Equipment (RME) processes as required by this position.

Maintains current knowledge of the Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) which document the processes and procedures for cleaning, disinfection, sterilization, and preparation of RME appropriate to this position.

Proficiently utilizes RME Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 8 AM - 4:30 PM (Subject to change based on agency requirements) Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position.

Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized Functional Statement #: GS-5: 55104-F, GS-6: 55105-F, GS-7: 55106-F, GS-8: 55107-F, GS-9: 55108-F