Dental Assistant - GS-0681-05

Defense Health Agency; Biloxi (MS); On-site; USD 32,000 - 53,000; Full time

Job summary

The 81st Medical Group at Keesler Air Force Base seeks a Civilian Dental Assistant to support clinical operations and patient care in a busy dental clinic. The role involves assisting dentists, performing radiographic work, taking preliminary impressions, and providing oral hygiene instruction, with emphasis on safety and quality care for military beneficiaries.

Applicants must meet federal qualification standards and Radiology Certification per 42 CFR Part 75.

Qualifications

• US Citizens as applicants.
• Radiology Certification required per Public Law 97-35 and 42 CFR Part 75; must be certified as radiographers.
• One year of specialized experience including intra-oral procedures, preliminary impressions, and operating dental x-ray equipment.

Responsibilities

• Receive patients and conduct preliminary screening.
• Assist dentist with tooth removal, surgical extractions, alveoloplasty, minor preprosthetic surgery of hard and soft tissues, and excisional biopsies.
• Observe patient for signs of syncope, shock, or adverse reactions during treatment.
• Provide oral hygiene instruction for care of prosthodontic appliances.
• Perform dental radiographic work.
• Relay dentist instructions to patients for post-treatment care.

Education

Dental assistant program

Job description

Civilian Dental Assistant

This position is with 81st Medical Group, Keesler Air Force Base, Mississippi.

Salary

Up to- $52,957 per year

Benefits

Benefits : https://civilianmedicaljobs.com/benefits/

The dental clinic features representation from all major dental specialties, including oral and maxillofacial surgery, endodontics, periodontics, prosthodontics, pedodontics, and orthodontics. It serves as a major regional referral and consultant hub for surrounding military organizations.

Responsibilities

• Receive patients and conduct preliminary screening.
• Assist dentist with simple and complex procedures such as tooth removal, surgical removal of impacted teeth, alveoloplasty, minor preprosthetic surgery of hard and soft tissues, and excisional biopsies.
• Observe patient throughout treatment for signs of syncope, shock, or other reactions to treatment.
• Provide oral hygiene instruction for care of prosthodontic appliances.
• Perform dental radiographic work.
• Relay dentist instructions to patients for post-treatment care.

Qualifications

Who May Apply: US Citizens

In order to qualify, you must meet the education and/or experience requirements described below. Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religious; spiritual; community; student; social). You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience. Your resume must clearly describe your relevant experience; if qualifying based on education, your transcripts will be required as part of your application. Additional information about transcripts is in this document .

Basic Requirement For Dental Assistant

Radiology Certification: Public Law 97-35 requires that persons who administer radiologic procedures meet the credentialing standards in 42 CFR Part 75. Essentially, they must (1) 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 (2) be certified as radiographers in their field. The following meet these requirements:

• Persons employed by the Federal Government as radiologic personnel prior to the effective date of the regulation (January 13, 1986) who show evidence of current or fully satisfactory performance or certification of such from a licensed practitioner such as a doctor of medicine, osteopathy, dentistry, podiatry, or chiropractic who prescribes radiologic procedures to others.
• Persons first employed by the Federal Government as radiologic personnel after the effective date of the regulation who (a) received training from institutions in a State or foreign jurisdiction that did not accredit training in that particular field at the time of graduation, or (b) practiced in a State or foreign jurisdiction that did not license that particular field or did not allow special eligibility to take a licensure examination for those who did not graduate from an accredited educational program, provided such persons show evidence of training, experience, and competence, as determined by OPM or the employing agency.

Requirements

In addition to meeting the basic requirement above, to qualify for this position you must also meet the qualification requirements listed below:

Specialized Experience

One year of specialized experience which includes performing intra-oral procedures, taking preliminary impressions, and operating dental x-ray equipment.. This definition of specialized experience is typical of work performed at the next lower grade/level position in the federal service (GS-04).

Education

Successful completion of a full four-year course of study in a dental assistant or dental hygiene program that included at least 24 semester hours of courses in radiation physics; radiation biology; radiation health, safety, and protection; X-ray films and radiographic film quality, radiographic techniques; darkroom and processing techniques; and film mounting.

Combination of Education and Experience

A combination of education and experience may be used to qualify for this position as long as the computed percentage of the requirements is at least 100%. To compute the percentage of the requirements, divide your total months of experience by 12. Then divide your semester hours of education beyond two years (total semester hours minus 60) by 60. Add the two percentages.