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Posted: March 19, 2026 (8 days ago)

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Dentist (Dental Officer)

Bureau of Prisons/Federal Prison System

Department of Justice

Recent

Location

Guaynabo, Puerto Rico

Salary

$124,308 - $315,000

per year

Closes

September 30, 2026More DOJ jobs →

GS-12 Pay Grade

Base salary range: $74,441 - $96,770

Typical requirements: 1 year specialized experience at GS-11. Advanced degree + significant experience.

Note: Actual salary includes locality pay (15-40%+ depending on location).

Job Description

Summary

This job is for a dentist working in a federal prison in Puerto Rico, where you'll provide dental care to inmates, including check-ups, treatments, and emergency services to help maintain their health during incarceration.

It's ideal for a licensed dentist with at least a year of professional experience who is comfortable in a secure, structured environment and committed to public safety.

The role combines clinical dentistry with the unique challenges of correctional healthcare.

Key Requirements

  • Doctor of Dental Medicine (DMD) or Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS) from an ADA/CODA-approved school
  • Current, full, and unrestricted license to practice dentistry in a U.S. state, DC, Puerto Rico, or territory
  • Passed National Board of Dental Examinations (NBDE)
  • At least one year of professional dentistry experience at GS-11 level or equivalent, including diagnosis, treatment, and oral surgery
  • Completion of a 3-year residency in dentistry, oral health, craniofacial sciences, or equivalent experience/training
  • Ability to distinguish shades of color for medical purposes
  • Upload of transcripts, license proof, and NBDE results with application; official transcripts required before starting

Full Job Description

Corrections professionals who foster a humane and secure environment and ensure public safety by preparing individuals for successful reentry into our communities.

To be considered for the position, you must meet the following qualification requirements.

Basic Requirements: Education: Doctor of Dental Medicine (DMD) or Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS) degree from a school approved by the American Dental Association (ADA), or the Commission on Dental Accreditation (CODA) or an accrediting body recognized by the U.S.

Department of Education at the time the degree was obtained. NOTE: ALL applicants MUST electronically upload legible transcripts as verification of educational requirement.

All academic degrees and coursework MUST be completed at a college or university that has obtained accreditation or pre-accreditation status from an accrediting body recognized by the U.S.

Department of Education. For a list of schools that meet this criteria, Click Here.

For information regarding foreign education requirements, please see Foreign Diploma and Credit Recognition at the U.S. Department of Education website: Recognition of Foreign Qualifications.

If you are selected for this position, you will be required to provide an OFFICIAL transcript prior to your first day on duty.

AND Licensure: Applicants must have passed National Board of Dental Examinations (NBDE) which are developed and administered by the Joint Commission on National Dental Examinations (JCNDE) and possess a current, full, and unrestricted license to practice dentistry in a State, the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, or a territory of the United States.

NOTE: ALL applicants MUST electronically upload proof of current, active and unrestricted license to practice dentistry and proof of successful completion from the National Board of Dental Examinations (NBDE) at the time you apply.

All qualified referred candidates will undergo a credentialing process prior to employment with the Bureau of Prisons.

This process includes validation of medical examinations, education, internship and residency.

Please electronically upload these documents along with your required supporting documentation at the time you apply.

AND Experience: In addition to meeting the above education and licensure requirements, applicants must have one or more full years of experience, equivalent to at least the next lower grade level, performing professional dentistry work for GS-12 and above assignments.

Qualifying experience involves the evaluation, prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of diseases, injuries, and disorders of the oral cavity and maxillofacial area.

Examples of dentistry experience may include the removal of decay; filling cavities; straightening, extracting, and repairing teeth; treating gum diseases; performing corrective surgery; making measurements/models for dentures to replace missing teeth, administering anesthetics, writing prescriptions; and performing other requirements of the position.

AND In addition to meeting the above basic requirement and licensure requirements, Applicants must have completed a 3-year residency program in dentistry, oral health, craniofacial sciences or a related medical science; or have equivalent experience, equivalent to at least the next lower grade level, and/or training.

Some examples of qualifying experience are: Experience diagnosing and treating unusual dental problems.

Experience providing dental therapeutics for the management of infection, pain, neuromuscular disorders, and apprehension. Experience conducting comprehensive emergency care and treatment planning.

Experience treating and managing facial trauma including fixation of closed jaw fractures and identifying and referring more complicated damage.

AND Medical Requirement: Applicants must be able to distinguish shades of color. If applicable, credit will be given for paid and unpaid experience.

To receive proper credit, you must show the actual time (such as the number of hours worked per week) spent in activities.

**Your eligibility for consideration will be based on your responses to the questions in the application.** Major Duties:

Serves as a staff Dental Officer at a Bureau of Prisons federal correctional facility.

Utilizes technical skills and professional judgement to provide a full range of dental services to the inmate population.

Responsible for diagnosis and treatment of difficult dental problems in a correctional environment.

Provides comprehensive dental care to the inmate population, who may have behavior and communication problems.

Assists in the coordination of the dental program, providing input regarding proposed modifications to operating procedures.

Assists in establishing and maintaining quality control measures to ensure final product conforms to standards set forth by the American Dental Association, National Board for Certification of Dental Technicians, and the Dental Service of the Federal Bureau of Prisons.

Assists in the direction and coordination of production of finished prosthetic appliances in accordance with the requirements submitted.

Along with all other correctional institution employees, incumbent is charged with responsibility for maintaining security of the institution.

The staff correctional responsibilities precede all others required by this position and are performed on a regular and recurring basis.

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Posted on USAJOBS: 3/19/2026 | Added to FreshGovJobs: 3/21/2026

Source: USAJOBS | ID: BOP-N-2026-0018