Dental Hygienist

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs; Columbia (SC); On-site; USD 62,000 - 82,000; Full time

Job summary

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs seeks a Dental Hygienist to provide direct patient care under the supervision of a dentist. The role includes setting up the operatory, taking radiographs, and delivering patient education on oral health and preventive care.

The position emphasizes infection control, documentation, and coordination with the care team to support Veterans' dental health needs. Experience with dental imaging and patient-centered care is desirable.

Qualifications

• Must possess an Associate degree or higher from an accredited dental hygiene program
• Proficient in radiographic procedures and patient instruction
• Knowledge of OSHA regulations and safety practices
• Able to assess patient dental health and provide education to patients and caregivers

Responsibilities

• Provide direct patient care under general supervision of the dentist
• Set up operatory for dental procedures and prepare instruments
• Take and record vital signs and review medical history
• Educate patients on periodontal disease, wellness, and oral hygiene practices
• Maintain patient confidentiality and comply with HIPAA and security regulations

Skills

Hygiene procedures

Radiography

Anatomy & physiology

OSHA compliance

Education

Associate degree in dental hygiene

Tools

Dental radiography equipment

Job description

Summary

This is an OPEN CONTUNUOUS ANNOUNCEMENT and will remain open until September 30 - 2026. The initial cut-off date for referral of eligible applicants will be August 5 - 2026. Eligible applications received after that date will be referred at regular intervals or as additional vacancies occur on an as-needed basis until positions are filled.

This is an OPEN CONTUNUOUS ANNOUNCEMENT and will remain open until September 30 - 2026. The initial cut-off date for referral of eligible applicants will be August 5 - 2026. Eligible applications received after that date will be referred at regular intervals or as additional vacancies occur on an as-needed basis until positions are filled.

Qualifications

Basic Requirements:

• United States Citizenship: Non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy
• English Language Proficiency
• Dental hygienists must be proficient in spoken and written English as required by 38 U.S.C. 7402(d) - and 7407(d)
• Education: Applicants must possess an Associate degree or higher from an accredited dental hygiene program
• The degree must have been obtained from am institution whose accreditation was in place for the year in which the course of study was completed
• Approved programs are: Dental hygiene programs accredited by the American Dental Association's Commission on Dental Accreditation (CODA)
• Education completed outside of the United States must be considered at least equivalent to that gained in CODA accredited United States programs and would enable the candidate to sit for the National board Dental hygiene Examination - which is administered by the Joint Commission on National Dental Examinations
• Licensure/Certification: Licensure - Applicants must be currently licensed to practice as a dental hygienist with a full - current and unrestricted license in a State - Territory or Commonwealth of the United States - or the District of Columbia
• Certification - P.L
• 97-35 - Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act Of 1981 - requires persons who administer radiologic procedures meet the credentialing standards in 42 C.F.R
• Part 75 - Standards for the Accreditation of Educational Programs for and the Credentialing of Radiologic Personnel
• To meet this requirement - they must 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 be certified as radiographers in their field
• Accredited dental hygiene programs contain curriculum addressing radiologic procedures meets the requirement for certification as dental radiographers
• Exceptions for Non-Certified Dental Hygienist: Non-certified applicants who otherwise meet the eligibility requirements for licensure - may be given a temporary appointment as a graduate dental hygienist under the authority of 38 U.S.C.
• 7405(c)(2)(B) - Temporary Full-Time Appointments - Part-Time Appointments and Without Compensation Appointments for a Period Not to Exceed Two Years
• Non-certified individuals shall only provide care under the supervision of a certified dental hygienist at or above the full performance level
• Non-certified individuals may only be appointed at the entry level and may not be promoted/converted until certification is obtained
• Temporary appointments of non-certified dental hygienist may not be extended beyond two years or converted to a new temporary appointment
• May qualify based on being covered by the Grandfathering Provision as described in the VA Qualification Standard for this occupation (only applicable to current VHA employees who are in this occupation and meet the criteria)
• Grade Determinations: GS-09 Dental Hygienist - Experience Requirement: Must have at least one year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level (GS-08) and fully meet the following KSAs at the GS-08 level
• Knowledge of state-of-the-art preventive dentistry measures for patient instruction and training
• Knowledge of anatomy and physiology in order to interpret the examination request accurately
• to understand the functioning and interrelationship of the various anatomical structures appearing on the radiographic image and the various stages of the examination to judge the acceptability of the radiograph for diagnostic use
• and to present for viewing
• Knowledge of The Joint Commission (TJC) - Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) - and related regulations and guidelines pertaining to dental matters
• Skill in providing individual and group oral health care instructions to inpatients - outpatients - Nursing Home Care Unit patients - etc
• GS-09 Dental Hygienist Demonstrated Knowledge - Skills - and Abilities: In addition to meeting the KSAs for the GS-08 level - the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs (must be clearly demonstrated in your resume): Knowledge of hygiene procedures to explain the process and indication - complications and expected treatment outcomes for each
• Knowledge of proper usage of dental radiography equipment - radiation safety - assessment of proper image capture and interpretation of films
• Knowledge to select appropriate available fluoride products and indications/limitations for safe and proper application
• Skill in detecting plaque and calculus - dental abnormalities/pathologies - assessing inflammation and providing safe instrumentation for each procedure
• Skill in educating patients and caregivers on periodontal disease - wellness - health maintenance - oral hygiene practices - parafunctional habits - and effects of illness - addictions - medications and tobacco on the oral cavity
• Ability to assess the patient's medical - dental - anxiety/phobias - medications and comorbidities to administer safe patient care
• Ability to assess the impact of patient's medical and dental condition on maintaining oral health - recognize age-related changes in individual patients - adapt patient environment - and maximize patient's physical comfort
• Preferred Experience: None Reference: For more information on this qualification standard - please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/
• The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-09
• The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is GS-09
• Physical Requirements: See VA Directive and Handbook 5019 - Employee Occupational Health Service for requirements.

Duties

• The Dental Hygienist provides direct patient care under the general supervision of the dentist and performs other clinical and clerical functions independently of direct supervision
• It is expected that they provide direct patient care and receive guidance from higher-level or supervisory staff members for only the most complex patients
• Duties include but not limited to: A
• Customer Service/Veteran-Centered Care Assists customers with questions or concerns - provides service recovery
• Delivers care that reflects the Veteran's and the family's personal goals - personal preferences - and freedom of choice
• Demonstrates knowledge and application of patient and family-centered care in written care plans - instructions to patients - and in observation of the actual care provided
• B
• Patient Care Sets up operatory for planned dental procedure and cleans dental unit for timely turnover
• Complies with patient identification - time-out - and reusable medical equipment processes
• Takes and records vital signs - reviews medical history and charts oral conditions
• Assesses patient's medical - dental - anxiety/phobias - medications - and comorbidities
• Cleans dental prostheses - fixed and removable
• C
• Patient Education Provides patient education appropriate to the Veteran's needs and oral condition
• Explains hygiene procedures - indications - complications and expected outcomes to individual patient and caregiver
• Prepares and provides education on periodontal disease - wellness - health maintenance - oral hygiene practices - parafunctional habits - and effect of illness - addictions - medications - and tobacco on the oral cavity
• D
• Dental Imaging Takes diagnostic quality images that are accurately oriented and exposed
• Utilizes dental-imaging safety techniques with minimal retakes
• E
• Infection control and Equipment Sterilization Demonstrates proper infection-control procedures in setting up and cleaning up operatory and in exposing images
• Properly prepares instruments for sterilization by SPS standards
• Prepares instruments in a manner that does not delay clinical care
• F
• Clerical Functions Assists patients in scheduling appointments
• Assists in filling gaps in the schedule due to late cancellations and failed appointments
• G
• Information Management Maintains patient confidentiality per HIPAA with written and verbal information
• Follows computer security regulations
• H
• Patient Safety Modifies care as appropriate for patient's age and abilities (patient transfer and position)
• Modifies care based on patient's medical - dental - anxiety/phobias - medications - and comorbidities
• Provides accurate and understandable instructions to patients
• I
• Employee Education Complies with Employee Education requirements
• Completes mandatory annual training sessions
• Maintains all continuing education requirements for professional licensure - certifications - etc
• Work Schedule: 7:30am-4:00pm (Intermittent - 2-3 Saturdays per month) Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position
• Functional Statement #: 59265F Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized