Dentist (Regular Full-Time)
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Before you apply
Salary$124k – $200k
LocationNashville, Tennessee, United States
Work modeon-site
Typefull-time
SeniorityMid
DepartmentTennessee Valley Healthcare System: | Dental
Company size10,000+ people
PostedOct 22, 2026 · 2w ago
Verified live1w ago
At a glanceSummarised by Seekless from the posting.
Degree of Doctor of Dental Surgery or dental medicine from an approved school
Completed or currently completing a residency program in general practice or specialty, or comparable experience as a dentist actively involved in treating medically compromised patients
Currently hold or will hold a current, full and unrestricted license to practice dentistry in a State, Territory, or Commonwealth of the United States, or in the District of Columbia
Proficiency in all aspects of general dentistry including ability to perform selected specialty services
Make oral and radiographic examinations of the oral cavity
Diagnose pathological or irregular oral conditions
Administer local anesthesia
Perform routine and complex restoration of teeth
Perform simple and complex extractions of teeth
Perform alveoloplasty and other routine surgical procedures
Perform prosthetic dentistry to include immediate dentures, full dentures, partial dentures, crowns and fixed bridge work
Perform routine endodontic procedures on single and multi-canal teeth
Perform routine and surgical periodontal procedures
Perform basic dental implant restorations including single crowns and overdentures
Provide clinical review of all incoming request for service submitted by contract community care dental providers
Provide clinical review of all submitted IVC consults
Collaborate with IVC Community Care staff to resolve complex request or questions regarding clinical care approval or denials
Assist in resolving patient advocate complaints regarding CC approvals or denials
Serve as liaison within the VA dental service for staff regarding CC eligibility, Standard Episodes of Care
Serve as a liaison between VA and IVC Community care dental providers by responding to clinic questions and by conducting quarterly education sessions
Must be proficient in written and spoken English
All qualified candidates encouraged to apply. Open to U.S. Citizens but non-citizens may be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens.
Subject to urinalysis to screen for illegal drug use prior to appointment
Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959
Subject to background/security investigation
Must pass pre-employment physical evaluation/examination
Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement
You may be required to serve a probationary period
Benefits
Health insurance
Influenza vaccination
Relocation
Recruitment incentive
Education debt reduction program
Summary
Benefits
This position is eligible for the Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP), a student loan payment reimbursement program. You must meet specific eligibility requirements per VHA policy and submit your EDRP application within four months of appointment. Program Approval, award amount (up to $200,000) & eligibility period (1-5 years) are determined by the VHA Education Loan Repayment Services program office after review of the EDRP application. Former EDRP participants ineligible to apply.
Duties
VA offers a comprehensive total rewards package.
Work Schedule: Monday - Friday | 7:00 AM - 3:30 PM CT
Telework: Not Available
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized
EDRP Authorized: *Former EDRP participants ineligible to apply for incentive.*Contact [email protected], the EDRP Coordinator for questions/assistance. Learn more
Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized
Contract Buy Out Program: This position may be eligible for the Physician / Provider Contract Buy Out Program (CBOP), which authorizes VHA to buy out service contracts (Locum agreements, loan repayments, sign-on bonus contracts, Physician-owned practices) in exchange for employment at certain rural or highly rural facilities for a period of obligated service (minimum 4 years). For additional information and eligibility requirements, contact the VHA Contract Buy Out Program Manager at [email protected].
The general practice dental officer serves as a practicing dentist who performs a full range of professional dental procedures in connection with the treatment of commonly encountered dental diseases or dental health problems requiring standard corrective, restorative, or preventive measures. The General Dentistry dental officer shall be proficient in all aspects of general dentistry including the ability to perform selected specialty services. Specifically, the provider should possess the expertise and competency to perform the following:
•
Make oral and radiographic examinations of the oral cavity.
•
Diagnose pathological or irregular oral conditions.
•
Administer local anesthesia.
•
Perform routine and complex restoration of teeth.
•
Perform simple and complex extractions of teeth.
•
Perform alveoloplasty and other routine surgical procedures.
•
Perform prosthetic dentistry to include immediate dentures, full dentures, partial dentures, crowns and fixed bridge work.
•
Perform routine endodontic procedures on single and multi-canal teeth.
•
Perform routine and surgical periodontal procedures.
•
Perform basic dental implant restorations including single crowns and overdentures.
•
Integrated Veteran Care (IVC) provide clinical review of all incoming request for service submitted by contract community care dental providers, using the consult tool box.
•
Provide clinical review of all submitted IVC consults entered by the Tennessee Valley Healthcare (TVH) Veterans Administration (VA) Dentist indicate approval or denial of dental care requested.
•
Collaborate with IVC Community Care (CC) staff act as liaison to resolve complex request or questions regarding clinical care approval or denials.
•
Assist in resolving patient advocate complaints regarding CC approvals or denials. Serve as liaison within the VA dental service for staff regarding CC eligibility, Standard Episodes of Care (SEOC), explanation of approvals and denials, provide staff education of IVC program and process changes.
•
Serve as a liaison between VA and IVC Community care dental providers by responding to clinic questions and by conducting quarterly education sessions.
The scope of practice that a specific provider may perform is defined through the medical center credentialing and privileging process.
Requirements
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All qualified candidates encouraged to apply. Open to U.S. Citizens but non-citizens may be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens.
•
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.
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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 identification cards that are not REAL ID compliant cannot be utilized as an acceptable form of identification for employment.
•
Must pass pre-employment physical evaluation/examination.
•
Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP).
•
You may be required to serve a probationary period.
•
Complete all application requirements detailed in the “Required Documents” section of this announcement.
Qualifications
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
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A degree of Doctor of Dental Surgery or dental medicine resulting from a course of education in dentistry. The degree must have been obtained from one of the schools approved by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs for the year in which the course of study was completed. Approved schools are (1) United States and Canadian schools of dentistry listed by the Commission on Dental Accreditation(CODA), in the list published for the year in which the course of study was completed.(2) Schools (including foreign schools) accepted by the licensing body of a State, Territory, or Commonwealth (i.e., Puerto Rico), or the District of Columbia as qualifying for full and unrestricted licensure provided the licensure requirements include a written examination measuring science achievement and a performance examination measuring clinical competence certification, and must obtain a copy of the ECFMG certificate, if claimed by the applicant. AND
•
Completed, or you are currently completing, a residency program in general practice or specialty, or comparable experience as a dentist actively involved in treating medically compromised patients. AND
•
Currently hold, or will hold, a current, full and unrestricted license to practice dentistry in a State, Territory, or Commonwealth of the United States, or in the District of Columbia. Note: Dentists must maintain current registration in the State of licensure if this is a requirement for continuing active, current licensure.
Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/.
Physical Requirements: The work is largely office based and in a sedentary setting. No manual labor is required above ordinary situations. Incumbent must be capable of using a computer given that all clinical charting is electronic.
Education
Degree of Doctor of Dental Surgery or dental medicine or an equivalent degree resulting from a course of education in allopathic medicine or osteopathic medicine. 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 schools are:
1.
United States and Canadian schools of dentistry listed by the Commission on Dental Accreditation (CODA), in the list published for the year in which the course of study was completed.
2.
Schools (including foreign schools) accepted by the licensing body of a State, Territory, or Commonwealth (i.e., Puerto Rico), or the District of Columbia as qualifying for full and unrestricted licensure provided the licensure requirements include a written examination measuring science achievement and a performance examination measuring clinical competence.
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/.
How you will be evaluated
**IN DESCRIBING YOUR EXPERIENCE, PLEASE BE CLEAR AND SPECIFIC. WE MAY NOT MAKE ASSUMPTIONS REGARDING YOUR EXPERIENCE. Your application, resume, C.V., and/or supporting documentation will be verified. Please follow all instructions carefully. Errors or omissions may affect consideration for employment.
NOTE:** A formal pay-setting process will be used to determine your salary. The salary may be at any point in the range listed for this vacancy.
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; religions; spiritual; community; student; social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.
The Department of Veterans Affairs performs pre-employment reference checks as an assessment method used in the hiring process to verify information provided by a candidate (e.g., on resume or during interview or hiring process); gain additional knowledge regarding a candidate’s abilities; and assist a hiring manager with making a final selection for a position.
It is the policy of the VA to not deny employment to those that have faced financial hardships or periods of unemployment.
Veterans and Transitioning Service Members: Please visit the VA for Vets site for career-search tools for Veterans seeking employment at VA, career development services for our existing Veterans, and coaching and reintegration support for military service members.
Required documents
To apply for this position, you must provide a complete Application Package which includes:
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Long-form resume/Curriculum vitae (CV)
The following documents are accepted, and may be required if applicable to your eligibility and/or qualifications for this position. Please ensure you have included all documents required for your application, such as a copy of your transcript (if using education to qualify), SF-50’s (current/former Federal employees), etc.
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Cover Letter
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DD-214/ Statement of Service
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Disability Letter (VA)
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License
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Long-form resume/Curriculum vitae (CV)
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Certification of Residency Completion
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Other (2)
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Performance Appraisal
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Professional Certification
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Separation Notice (RIF)
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SF-15
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SF-50/ Notification of Personnel Action
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Transcript
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 10/29/2026 to receive consideration. To preview the questionnaire click https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/13099464.
1.
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.
2.
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.
During the application process you may have an option to opt-in to make your resume available to hiring managers in the agency who have similar positions. Opting in does not impact your application for this announcement, nor does it guarantee further consideration for additional positions.
Other information
This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies.
This position is in the Excepted Service and does not confer competitive status.
Legal
VA encourages persons with disabilities to apply. The health-related positions in VA are covered by Title 38, and are not covered by the Schedule A excepted appointment authority.
If you are unable to apply online or need an alternate method to submit documents, please reach out to the Agency Contact listed in this Job Opportunity Announcement.
Under the Fair Chance to Compete Act, the Department of Veterans Affairs prohibits requesting an applicant’s criminal history prior to accepting a tentative job offer. For more information about the Act and the complaint process, visit Human Resources and Administration/Operations, Security, and Preparedness (HRA/OSP) at The Fair Chance Act.
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