Dental Hygienist

Dental Hygienist

Department: Department of Veterans Affairs

Location(s): Salt Lake City, Utah

Salary Range: $40736 - $80243 Per Year

Job Summary: Dental Hygienist provides direct patient care under the general supervision of the dentist & performs other clinical & clerical functions independently of direct supervision. Works closely with & under the general direction of a dentist. Plans, coordinate & conduct preventive oral health programs for various patient groups, caregivers & healthcare providers develop & modify instructional methods; & develop methods for evaluating the effectiveness of the preventive dentistry program.

Major Duties:

• Advanced patient assessments & clinical evaluations Prophylaxis in complex restorative cases Individual & group oral hygiene instructions for special-needs populations Management of medically &/or behaviorally compromised patients, & collaboration with other Demonstrates non-judgmental understanding of the Veteran's & family's knowledge, values, beliefs, & cultural backgrounds- Delivers care that reflects the Veteran's & the family's personal goals, personal preferences Provides assistance to customers with questions or concerns, provides service recovery Shows courtesy, respect, & a positive attitude for patients, co-workers, & the public Demonstrates collaborative orientation to working with patients & families Provide routine oral prophylaxis, gross debridement, soft tissue curettage, deep scaling & root planning procedures to patients with complex periodontal/restorative conditions & complex medical/psychiatric issues Safely utilizes advanced adjunctive diagnostic & therapeutic equipment (e.g. sonic, magnetostrictive ultrasonic & piezo ultrasonic scalers) Recognize age-related changes in individuals, adapt patient environment, & maximize patient's physical comfort Administers intrasulcular anti-infective agents & sulcular lavage per direction of dentist/periodontist Assess clinical findings, including normal & critical lab results, & adapt care based on findings Interview & assess a patient's medical, dental, anxiety/phobias, medications, & comorbidities Manages dental recall system, referring patients to the doctor for additional care when needed Sets up operatory for planned dental procedure & cleans dental unit for timely turnover Assesses the impact of patient's medical & dental condition on maintaining oral health Evaluate patient's caries risk & select & apply appropriate fluoride solutions Accomplishes all procedures within standard infection control protocols Applies & removes periodontal dressings per direction of dentist Handles instruments safely, accurately, & efficiently Cleans dental prostheses, fixed & removable Administers local anesthetic (per State license) Makes impressions for fluoride carrier trays Applies desensitizing & sealant materials Administers topical anesthetic agents Applies adult education techniques/methods, organizes curriculum, judges cognitive ability, & provides healthcare education regarding relationships between medical & dental pathologies to groups &/or interdisciplinary staff Prepares & provides education on periodontal disease, wellness, health maintenance, oral hygiene practices effect of illness, addictions, medications, & tobacco on the oral cavity Explains hygiene procedures, indications, complications & expected outcomes to patients & care givers Provide patient education appropriate to the Veteran's needs & oral condition Recognizes common pathologies & utilizes advanced radiographic technique (CBCT) & equipment to detect abnormalities Ensure radiographic images are characterized by diagnostic quality, accurately oriented & exposed Dental imaging safety techniques are utilized, & retakes are minimized Demonstrates proper infection control procedures in setting up & cleaning up operatory - Instruments are prepared in a manner that does not delay clinical care Demonstrates proper infection control procedures in exposing images Instruments are properly prepared for sterilization per SPS standards 6. Clerical Functions Assists patients in scheduling appointments, places appropriate RTC orders, & open/closes imaging consults Assists dentists to complete patient exams by filling out all necessary information in DRM & CPRS Supports the dental service in the preparation & management of Community Care consults Assists in filling gaps in the schedule due to late cancellations & failed appointments Records findings, treatment plans, & treatment provided in patient records Maintains patient confidentiality per HIPAA with written & verbal information Follows computer security regulations Modifies care based on patient's medical, dental, anxiety/phobias, medications, & comorbidities Modifies care as appropriate for patient's age & abilities (patient transfer & position) - Monitors patient condition during treatment, being alert for signs of physical distress Participates in patient identification & time out per TJC requirements. Provides accurate & understandable instructions to patients Prepares & presents hygiene/safety updates at the Dental Staff Meeting Complies with TMS & Employee Education requirements Completes mandatory annual safety training sessions Work Schedule: Mon-Thurs 7:30a-5p, Friday 7:30a-4p (compressed schedule) 4/5/9 with every other Friday off. Compressed: Available Telework: Ad-Hoc, Maybe Authorized Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 60611, 60612, 60613, 60614, 60615. Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized

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 hygienist candidates must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with 38 U.S.C. § 7403(f). 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: (1) Dental hygiene programs accredited by the American Dental Association's Commission on Dental Accreditation (CODA). (2) 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: (1) 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. (2) 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 & 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: (a) 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. (b) Non-certified individuals shall only provide care under the supervision of a certified dental hygienist at or above the full performance level. (c) Non-certified individuals may only be appointed at the entry level and may not be promoted/converted until certification is obtained. (d) Temporary appointments of non-certified dental hygienist may not be extended beyond two years or converted to a new temporary appointment. Foreign Education. To be creditable, education completed outside the U.S. must be deemed at least equivalent to that gained in a conventional U.S. program by a private organization specializing in the interpretation of foreign educational credentials 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). All individuals employed in VHA in this occupational series or in another occupational series performing the duties as described in the qualification standard on the effective date of the qualification standard 7/23/2021 are considered to have met all qualification requirements for the grade held.. Grade Determinations: 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). In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate the following 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 & 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: In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs: Knowledge of oral pathology to include disease of the hard & soft tissues, disorders of tooth structure, developmental & congenital anomalies, salivary gland disorders, symptoms of infectious disorders, & appropriate protocols. Practical knowledge of medical diseases, conditions, & 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. In addition to meeting the KSAs for the GS-07 level, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs: 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; & to present for viewing. Knowledge of The Joint Commission (TJC), Occupational Safety & Health Administration (OSHA), & related regulations and guidelines pertaining to dental matters. Skill in providing individual & 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. In addition to meeting the KSAs for the GS-8 level, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs: Knowledge of hygiene procedures to explain the process & 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 & calculus, dental abnormalities/pathologies, assessing inflammation and providing safe instrumentation for each procedure. Skill in educating patients & caregivers on periodontal disease, wellness, health maintenance, oral hygiene practices, parafunctional habits, & effects of illness, addictions, medications & tobacco on the oral cavity. Ability to assess the patient's medical, dental, anxiety/phobias, medications & comorbidities to administer safe patient care. Ability to assess the impact of patient's medical & dental condition on maintaining oral health, recognize age-related changes in individual patients, adapt patient environment, & 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-9. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of GS-5 to GS-9. Physical Requirements: See VA Directive and Handbook 5019, Employee Occupational Health Service for requirements.

How to Apply: All applicants are encouraged to apply online. To apply for this position, you must complete the full questionnaire and submit the documentation specified in the Required Documents section below. The complete application package must be submitted by 11:59 PM (ET) on 03/30/2026 to receive consideration. To preview the questionnaire click https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/12910700. To begin, click Apply Online to create a USAJOBS account or log in to your existing account. Follow the prompts to select your USA JOBS resume and/or other supporting documents and complete the occupational questionnaire. Click Submit My Answers to submit your application package. NOTE: It is your responsibility to ensure your responses and appropriate documentation is submitted prior to the closing date.

Application Deadline: 2026-03-30