Dental Hygienist

The Oklahoma City VA Health Care System seeks a Dental Hygienist to provide direct patient care, perform clinical and clerical tasks, and plan preventive oral health programs. The role includes developing instructional methods and evaluating preventive dentistry program effectiveness under a dentist's general direction.

This is an OPEN CONTINUOUS ANNOUNCEMENT and will remain open until September 30, 2026 or until all positions are filled.

Complete all application requirements detailed in the "Required Documents" section of this announcement.

Customer Service:

• Demonstrate courtesy, respect, and maintain a positive attitude towards patients, co-workers, management, and the public.
• Assist customers with their questions or concerns and provide service recovery as needed.

Patient Care:

• Prepare the operatory for planned dental procedures and ensure timely turnover of the dental unit.
• Handle dental instruments safely, accurately, and efficiently.
• Provide routine oral care, including fluoride treatment and gross debridement, scaling, and root planning.
• Clean dental prostheses (both fixed and removable) and manage the dental recall system in consultation with the doctor for additional care.
• Administer topical anesthetic agents and perform all procedures in accordance with standard infection-control protocols.

Patient Education:

• Offer patient education tailored to the Veteran's needs and oral condition.
• Conduct individual and group oral health care instruction sessions for patients and caregivers.

Dental Imaging:

• Take high-quality radiographic images with accurate orientation and proper exposure, with minimal need for retakes as directed by the dentist.
• Follow dental-imaging safety protocols.

Infection Control and Equipment Sterilization:

• Demonstrate proper infection-control procedures when setting up and cleaning the operatory.
• Prepare instruments for sterilization following SPS standards, ensuring no delays in clinical care.
• Follow proper infection-control procedures during image exposure.

Clerical Functions:

• Assist patients in scheduling their appointments and fill gaps in the schedule due to late cancellations or failed appointments.
• Chart findings and treatment provided in patient records.

Information Management:

• Maintain patient confidentiality in accordance with HIPAA guidelines.
• Follow computer security regulations.

Patient Safety:

• Adjust care appropriately based on patient's age and abilities, including patient transfer and positioning.
• Provide clear and accurate instructions to patients.
• Participate in patient identification and time-out procedures per TJC requirements.
• Monitor patient condition during treatment and be alert for signs of physical distress.

Employee Education:

• Comply with Employee Education requirements and complete mandatory annual training sessions.
• Meet all CE requirements for licensing.

Additional Responsibilities:

• Perform other duties as assigned, depending on the grade level selected for.

Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM
Telework: Not available
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Functional Statement #: 635-54404A, 635-54405A, 635-54406A, 635-54407A, 635-54408A

Complete all application requirements detailed in the "Required Documents" section of this announcement.

Applicants pending the completion of educational or certification/licensure requirements may be referred and tentatively selected but may not be hired until all requirements are met.

BASIC REQUIREMENTS

Citizenship

• Be a Citizen of the United States. Non-citizens may be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with [38 U.S.C § 7407(a), Administrative Provisions for Section 7405 and 7406 Appointments.

Education

• Applicants must possess an Associate degree or higher from an accredited dental hygiene program. The degree must have been obtained from an 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 meeting 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, not to exceed two years, as a graduate dental hygienist pending certification (GS-5 level only).

English Language Proficiency

• Candidates must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with 38 U.S.C. § 7403(f).

Grandfathering Provision

• 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 - In addition to the basic requirements outlined, the following criteria must be met when determining the grade of candidates.

Dental Hygienist, GS-05

• Experience
  • None beyond the basic requirements.

Dental Hygienist, GS-06

• Experience
  • At least one year of experience at the next lower grade level.
• Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs)
  • Knowledge of oral prophylactic, therapeutic, and preventive procedures for periodontal diseases, or inflammation, or on patients with other medical and/or dental problems.
  • Knowledge of dental methods and techniques used in performing intra and extra-oral procedures.
  • Ability to use communication techniques to encourage and inform individuals and groups.

Dental Hygienist, GS-07

• Experience
  • At least one year of experience at the next lower grade level that demonstrates the clinical competencies described at that level.
• Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
  • Knowledge of oral pathology to include disease of the hard and soft tissues, disorders of tooth structure, developmental and congenital anomalies, salivary gland disorders, symptoms of infectious disorders, and appropriate protocols.
  • Practical knowledge of medical diseases, conditions, and chronic degenerative diseases as they relate to dental health and treatment.
  • Knowledge of radiographic exposure techniques to produce radiographs of high diagnostic quality.

Dental Hygienist, GS-08

• Experience
  • At least one year of experience at the next lower grade level that demonstrates the clinical competencies described at that level.
• Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
  • 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.

Dental Hygienist, GS-09

• Experience
  • At least one year of experience at the next lower grade level that demonstrates the clinical competencies described at that level.
• Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
  • Knowledge of hygiene procedures to explain the process and indication, complications, and expected treatment outcomes for each.
  • Knowledge of the 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 the 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.

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 in the range of GS-05 to GS-09.

Physical Requirements: Light carrying under 15 pounds and reaching above the shoulder. Both hands are necessary for the role, as well as the ability to walk or stand for 8-10 hours and perform repeated bending. Both legs are required, and the position demands specific visual requirements for discerning small details. The candidate must have the ability for rapid mental and muscular coordination simultaneously, with both eyes required for accurate depth perception and color distinction. Additionally, good hearing ability is essential for this role.

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/.

• You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job.
• All applicants tentatively selected for VA employment in a testing designated position are subject to urinalysis to screen for illegal drug use prior to appointment. Applicants who refuse to be tested will be denied employment with VA.
• Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959.
• Must be proficient in written and spoken English.
• Subject to background/security investigation.
• Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process. Acceptable form(s) of identification will be required to complete pre-employment requirements (https://www.uscis.gov/i-9-central/form-i-9-acceptable-documents). Effective May 7, 2025, driver's licenses or state-issued dentification cards that are not REAL ID compliant cannot be utilized as an acceptable form of identification for employment.
• Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP).
• Complete all application requirements detailed in the "Required Documents" section of this announcement.

As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you will be required to serve a 1 or 2-year trial period during which we will evaluate your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest. In determining if your employment advances the public interest, we may consider:

• your performance and conduct;
• the needs and interests of the agency;
• whether your continued employment would advance organizational goals of the agency or the Government; and
• whether your continued employment would advance the efficiency of the Federal service.

Upon completion of your trial period, your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest.