Dental Assistant

Veterans Health Administration

Saint Cloud (MN)

On-site

USD 37,000 - 68,000

Full time

6 days ago

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Job summary

Veterans Health Administration in Saint Cloud, MN is seeking a Dental Assistant to support dentists in clinical procedures and patient care. The role includes instrument passing, imaging, charting and infection control, with on-site supervision and a standard Monday–Friday schedule.

Responsibilities cover assisting in general and specialized procedures, patient education, dental laboratory prep, and clerical tasks to ensure smooth clinic operation. Experience in dental settings is advantageous.

Qualifications

Dental assistant duties including assisting dentist in patient care and clerical tasks.
Involved in restorative, surgical, endodontic and periodontal care under supervision.
Intra- and inter-operative infection control and patient vital signs monitoring.

Responsibilities

Patient care: sets up operatory and surgery suite, maintains sterile field.
Assists in routine and specialized dental procedures; passes instruments safely.
Prepares dental medicaments and impression materials for procedures.
Acquires dental images; ensures correct technique, orientation and quality.
Prepares cases for dental laboratory and manages charting and treatment notes.

Job description

Department: Department of Veterans Affairs

The incumbent will receive guidance from more experienced staff members for complex patient issues for which require direct supervision and daily contact with the supervisor on site. Dental assistants will assist the dentist in many aspects of direct patient care and perform other clinical and clerical functions independently of direct supervision.

Key Responsibilities

Duties include but are not limited to the following: Patient Care: Shows courtesy, respect and positive attitude for patients, co-workers and the public. Sets up operatory and/or surgery suite for planned dental procedure and cleans dental unit. Possesses advanced knowledge of instruments, materials and standardized dental procedures used in all phases of restorative, surgical, endodontic and periodontal care.

Assists in routine general dental procedures; passes instruments safely, accurately and efficiently. Keeps operative field clear of debris. Prepares dental medicaments and impression materials. Accomplishes all intra-operative procedures within standard infection control protocols. Monitors and performs basic interpretation of patient vital signs and condition during invasive treatment/recovery.

Pours and takes impressions for diagnostic casts and prosthetic fabrication; prepares study molds. Makes final denture impression trays and bite rims. Removes plaque and soft debris from removable prostheses. Provides procedure-specific, patient preventative education, post-operative and oral hygiene instruction. Assists in specialized dental procedures; oral surgery, endodontics, periodontics, prosthodontics, implant placement and restoration.

Fabricates athletic mouth guards and bleaching trays. Properly prepares instruments for transfer to SPS for sterilization. Dental Imaging: Possesses the ability to identify normal anatomy. Exposed both standard and specialty dental imaging in traditional and/or digital format. Modifies settings to achieve the images as requested by the provider. Captures images characterized by diagnostic quality and accurately oriented and exposed.

Utilizes dental imaging safety techniques and retakes are minimized. Clerical Functions: Assists with filling gaps in doctors schedule due to late cancellation or failed appointments. Assists in charting findings, treatment plans, and treatment in patient records. Initiates computerized treatment and progress notes. Return to clinic orders; completes clinical reminders. Prepares cases for dental laboratory and ensures timely retrieval of completed cases.

Work Schedule: Monday-Friday 7:30-4:00pm Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 000000 Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized

Requirements & Education

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/.

Which agency is hiring for this position?

This position is with Veterans Health Administration, Department of Veterans Affairs.

What is the salary for this position?

The posted pay range is $37206 – $67715/yr.

What security clearance is required?

This position requires a Other security clearance.

What is the application deadline?

Applications close on 2026-10-13.

Who is eligible to apply?

This position is open under the 'Public' hiring path.