Staff Dentist

Full Job Description

The Dentist provides comprehensive, evidence-based dental care to enrolled Veterans, including diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of diseases and conditions of the oral cavity and associated structures.

The dentist delivers general dentistry services across outpatient and inpatient settings, participates in the dental team's quality improvement activities, and ensures care is consistent with VHA standards, clinical privileges, and community standards of practice.

Education: 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. ~AND~ Are you proficient in spoken and written English?

[To be appointed under authority of 38 U.S.C., chapter 73 or 74, to serve in a direct patient-care capacity in VHA, applicants must be proficient in written and spoken English.] DENTAL STAFF REQUIREMENTS 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.

Preferred Experience: Completion of a VA General Practice Residency. Experience treating medically complex dental patients.

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.

The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is VM-15. Physical Requirements: Must pass a pre-employment physical examination as required by VA Handbook 5019.

This examination is administered by VA Occupational Health.

This position requires light under 15 lbs., carrying objects up to 15 lbs., frequent use of hands and fingers, walking, standing, and bending.

The incumbent must be physically and mentally able to efficiently perform the essential functions of this position without hazard to themselves or others. Major Duties:

VA offers a comprehensive total rewards package.

Scope of Practice duties include but are not limited to: - Perform comprehensive examinations, diagnosis, treatment planning, and documentation for adult Veterans; provide preventive, restorative, prosthodontic, endodontic, periodontic (non-surgical), minor oral surgery, and emergency care within granted clinical privileges.

- Administer local anesthesia, perform extractions, simple biopsy of oral tissues, and manage dental infections consistent with privileging and scope.

- Fabricate and adjust removable prostheses; prepare teeth for fixed restorations; manage occlusion and perform temporomandibular disorder evaluations as appropriate.

- Order and interpret diagnostic imaging; prescribe medications in accordance with VA policy and state licensure.

- Provide patient education, tobacco cessation counseling, caries risk management, and periodontal maintenance; conduct recall and continuity of care activities.

- Accurately and timely complete notes, encounters, coding, consults, and closes-out orders consistent with VHA documentation standards.

- Participate in quality assurance, infection prevention, peer review, OPPE/FPPE processes, and meet performance measures defined by the service and facility.

- Collaborate in interprofessional care, including referral and co-management of patients with complex medical/dental needs; adhere to credentialing and privileging requirements.

- Maintain licensure, continuing education, and competency in alignment with the VA Dentist Qualification Standard.

Resident Supervision and Teaching Duties: - Provide direct clinical supervision during patient care activities to ensure safety and adherence to evidence-based standards.

- Review and co-sign documentation completed by residents as required. - Deliver didactic instruction, case presentations, and chairside teaching to enhance clinical competency.

- Evaluate resident performance and provide constructive feedback aligned with program objectives. Work Schedule: Monday-Friday 8am-4:30pm Telework: No Virtual: This is not a virtual position.

Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: No Permanent Change of Station (PCS): No