Dental Assistant

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs; White City (OR); On-site; USD 32,000 - 59,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Paid Time Off

Parental Leave

Federal Health/Insurance Benefits

Job summary

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs is seeking a Dental Assistant to set up operatory and surgery suites, assist in dental procedures, and ensure sterile, ready-to-use equipment for restorative, surgical, endodontic and periodontal care.

The role covers instrument passing, patient monitoring, impression taking, and preparing materials, with responsibilities extending to specialized procedures and post-operative education. Excellent infection control and communication skills are essential.

Responsibilities

• Assists in routine general dental procedures using concepts of four-handed dentistry.
• Passes instruments safely, accurately, and efficiently.
• Keeps operative field clear of debris and retracts oral tissues effectively.
• Prepares dental medicaments and impression materials per manufacturer's instructions.
• Monitors patient vital signs during invasive treatment and recovery.
• Applies topical anesthetic at the injection site.
• Takes impressions for diagnostic casts and preliminary impressions for prosthetic fabrication.
• Pours impressions and prepares study models.
• Provides post-operative and other appropriate patient education.
• Assists in specialized dental procedures, such as oral surgery, endodontics, periodontics, prosthodontics, implant placement and restoration.

Job description

• Department: Department of Veterans Affairs

Dental Assistant sets up operatory and/or surgery suite for planned dental procedure and cleans dental unit for timely turnover. Possesses advanced knowledge of instruments, materials, and standardized dental procedures used in all phases of restorative, surgical, endodontic and periodontal care.

Key Responsibilities

Functions or Scope of Assigned Duties include but are not limited to the following: Assists in routine general dental procedures using concepts of four-handed dentistry. Passes instruments safely, accurately, and efficiently. Keeps operative field clear of debris and retracts oral tissues effectively and comfortably. Prepares dental medicaments and impression materials per manufacturer's instructions.

Accomplishes all intra-operative procedures within standard infection control protocols. Monitors, and performs basic interpretation of, patient vital signs (BP, pulse, pulse oximeter) and condition during invasive treatment and during recovery period following procedure. Applies topical anesthetic at the injection site. Takes impressions for diagnostic casts and preliminary impressions for prosthetic fabrication. Pours impressions and prepares study models.

Makes final denture impression trays and prepares bite rims. Removes plaque and soft debris from removable prostheses. Provides procedure-specific, patient-preventative education and oral hygiene instruction. Provides post-operative and other appropriate patient education. Assists in specialized dental procedures, such as oral surgery, endodontics, periodontics, prosthodontics, implant placement and restoration. Fabricates athletic mouth guards and bleaching trays.

Performs other dental laboratory functions as needed.

Total Rewards of a Allied Health Professional Work Schedule: Monday-Friday 8am-430pm Compressed/Flexible: Available Recruitment/Relocation Incentives (Sign-on Bonus): Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (Relocation Assistance): Not Authorized Paid Time Off: 37-50 days of annual paid time offer per year (13-26 days of annual leave, 13 days of sick leave, 11 paid Federal holidays per year) Parental Leave: After 12 months of employment, up to 12 weeks of paid parental leave in connection with the birth, adoption, or foster care placement of a child.

Child Care Subsidy: After 60 days of employment, full time employees with a total family income below $144,000 may be eligible for a childcare subsidy up to 25% of total eligible childcare costs for eligible children up to the monthly maximum of $416.66.

Retirement: Traditional federal pension (5 years vesting) and federal 401K with up to 5% in contributions by VA Insurance: Federal health/vision/dental/term life/long-term care (many federal insurance programs can be carried into retirement) Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized PCS Appraised Value Offer (AVO): Not Authorized

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 $32435 - $59031/yr.

What is the application deadline?

Applications close on 2026-10-27.

Who is eligible to apply?

This position is open under the 'Fed Competitive' hiring path.