CARING

COMMITMENT

RESPECT

Department of

Veterans Affairs

VA CAREER OPPORTUNITIES

V A – The career you want, the future you deserve An Equal Opportunity Employer

DENTISTRY
To Care for Those Who Shall

Have Borne the Battle ...

- Abraham Lincoln, March 1865

WHY VA?

2

★

★

THE BEST EMPLOYMENT

VA and Dentistry

A career as a dentist with VA offers a future that is

dynamic, innovative, and collaborative. As valued

members of an interdisciplinary health care team, 

VA dentists enjoy the flexibility to move within the VA

structure and the freedom to practice wherever an

opening exists in more than 200 dental locations in sites

ranging from tertiary care medical centers to communitybased health care clinics. In return for their commitment 

to quality health care for our Nation’s veterans, VA offers

its dentists competitive salaries, first-rate employment

benefits, educational support, and tuition reimbursement

programs. Consider a career as a VA dentist and be

rewarded by the essential role you’ll play in helping 

VA keep the promise to those who served. 

THE BEST CARE

VA – Keeping the Promise to Those Who Served

More than a century ago, President Lincoln made a

promise to America’s servicemen and women, pledging

the care and concern of a grateful Nation for the sacrifices

they made to preserve freedom. Since 1930, the mission

of the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has kept that

promise. Today, VA offers veterans one of the largest,

most comprehensive health care systems in the United

States with 157 medical centers or major divisions, and

almost 900 clinics located nationwide. 
THE BEST PATIENTS

Young or old, male or female, it doesn’t matter: Veterans

have a special camaraderie with each other, and they

extend that bond to their clinical care team. From injured

active duty personnel to veterans of all ages, our patients

rely on their VA caregivers to deliver unique and

resourceful treatment, often for complex medical

conditions. Regardless of financial resources, the enrolled

veteran is assured treatment until maximum benefit is

achieved. As a result, VA dentists and the entire care team

form strong bonds with many brave, grateful individuals

who have served our Nation.

THE BEST ENVIRONMENT

The practice of hospital dentistry offers opportunities 

and challenges that typically are not found in other

environments. VA dentists and other dental professionals

utilize the full scope of their skills and knowledge in their

daily practice and are regularly challenged by patients 

who can be medically, physically, and/or emotionally

compromised. They also work in an environment that

adheres to the strictest protocols for infection control 

and assurances for quality patient care. 

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Urban Beat

Modern living doesn’t get any better than when

you live in urban America. VA offers employment

opportunities in the most cosmopolitan of cities to

America’s most livable small towns.

THE BEST TECHNOLOGY

VA is committed to a philosophy of technology-driven care

that enhances staff performance and improves patient

results. VA dentists work with today’s state-of-the-art

technology that directly pertains to patient treatment.

Digital imaging, clinical operating microscopes, dental

implantology, and CAD cams are but a few of the

advances that VA dentists use on a daily basis. 

After years of development, VA now has the most

comprehensive electronic health record (EHR) in the Nation.

The health record puts each veteran’s medical records, lab

results, x-rays, EKGs, and much more at the fingertips of

dentists and the entire patient care team as they work

together to design treatment interventions. The dental

record component of the electronic health record is a

sophisticated program that allows the clinician to view

treatment plans, write notes, and monitor progress 

while seamlessly recording production data and other

administrative tasks. Since the system is linked to every 

VA facility across the country, the care team can

instantaneously pull up a traveling veteran’s records 

to examine critical components (e.g., medications, 

medical problem list, etc.), while making informed 

patient care decisions.

VA utilizes technology to enhance professional

development as well. Computer-based networking (mail

groups), regular teleconferences, and online training

enable VA dentists across the country to learn new

information, share research, and exchange best practices.

“After ten years in private practice, I was bored

to tears. Fourteen years in VA and every day

presents new and interesting challenges.”

— Lea Erickson, DDS, MSPH

Chief, Dental Service 

Salt Lake City, UT

OFFERING A WIDE RANGE OF

CLINICAL CARE OPPORTUNITIES FOR

DENTAL PROFESSIONALS

As one of the largest health care systems in the Nation,

VA provides a wide range of opportunities across the

continuum of clinical care practice settings to include:

OPPORTUNITIES

PROVIDING A RICH ENVIRONMENT

FOR CLINICAL RESEARCH AND

TRAINING

Dentists with a special interest in clinical research or

training find a rich environment at VA. Many VA dentists

help guide students’ fieldwork experiences. Others conduct

ongoing research in such areas as dental implantology. 

VA dentists are well published in nationally recognized

professional journals, and many have been elected to

leadership positions in regional and national health care

organizations. These education and research missions are

further strengthened by VA’s affiliations with all Schools of

Dentistry and 107 of the 125 Schools of Medicine.

• Comprehensive Restorative Dentistry

• Prosthodontics

• Periodontics

• Maxillofacial Prosthodontics

• Endodontics

• Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery

• Oral Pathology

• Oral Medicine

• Geriatric Dentistry

• Dental Hygiene

• Dental Assisting

• Expanded-Function Dental Auxiliaries (EFDA)

• Dental Laboratory Technology

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Did you know that :

★ VA handles more than 1.2 million dental treatment

visits each year at medical centers and supporting

facilities.

★ VA currently employs nearly 800 dentists (655 full

time) and supports 360 dental residency positions.

★ VA has pioneered the development of ingestible

fluoride gels for unique patient needs, stannous

fluoride (Tin-gel) for radiation oncology patients, 

and other preventive dentistry products.

★ VA provides medical and dental care backup to

military hospitals during national emergencies.

★ Oral health problems are the leading reason military

personnel are removed from duty. 

★ VA offers a loan repayment program for recent dental

school graduates with professional loan obligations.

★ VA supports a post-residency Fellowship in Dental

Research.

“There is no greater reward than to be able to

meet the physical and spiritual needs of our

veterans. The professional camaraderie and

expertise of fellow dentists in the VA system

has greatly expanded my scope of practice 

beyond that of my peers.”

— Doug Richardson, DDS

Dayton, OH
VA’s mission is to provide the best possible care for the

Nation’s veterans. In recognition of the contributions made by

dentists and dental professionals in helping achieve this goal,

VA offers extensive employment benefits. 

LEAVE AND HOLIDAYS 

• VA dentists earn 26 days of paid annual (vacation/personal)

leave each year and may accumulate up to 86 days. Annual

leave begins to accrue immediately and can be used as it is

earned with supervisory approval. 

• Dentists earn 15 days of sick leave each year with no limit

on accumulation. 

• There are 10 paid Federal holidays. 

• The Voluntary Leave Transfer Program allows other Federal

employees to donate annual leave for a medical emergency

of an employee or family member. 

• The Family and Medical Leave Act and the Family Friendly

Leave Act allow employees to balance their work and family

lives by taking reasonable amounts of leave for medical

reasons, for the birth or adoption/foster care of a child, and

for the care of a child, spouse, or parent who has a serious

health problem. 

• Military leave is authorized up to 15 days a year for active

reservists and National Guard members. 

BENEFITS

6

“It has been my privilege to

interact with highly talented

and dedicated dentists from

across the country, conduct

basic and clinical research,

plan and conduct VA-wide

dental implant studies, train

dental and medical residents,

and travel internationally. 

What more could anyone want?”

— Paul Lambert, DDS

Chief, Dental Service 

Dayton, OH
HEALTH AND LIFE INSURANCE

• VA offers a variety of group health insurance plans with

premiums partially paid by the Federal Government. You

may change plans yearly. 

• Term life insurance with coverage based on salary is

available with the cost shared by the Federal Government.

Family and additional coverage options are available. 

• Long-term care insurance is available as an option.

LIABILITY PROTECTION

The United States Government accepts responsibility and

liability for the actions of its employees during the exercise

of their official duties. VA dentists, therefore, are protected

by the Federal Government in instances of alleged

malpractice or negligence resulting from the performance

of their duties in or for the Veterans Health Administration. 

RETIREMENT

Newly hired dentists are covered by the Federal Employees

Retirement System (FERS). FERS is a three-tier retirement

plan composed of Social Security benefits, FERS basic

benefits, and the Thrift Savings Plan (TSP). Similar to the

401(k) savings plans widely available in the private sector,

the TSP allows employees to tax defer as much as 

15 percent of their income each year, subject to the

requirements of the Internal Revenue Service. The Federal

Government also provides a basic contribution and

matching, depending on the amount of the employee

contribution. For retired military personnel, these benefits

are in addition to your full monthly retirement pay or

pension. Retirement health care insurance is also available.

MOBILITY

VA health care facilities are located in all 50 states, the

District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and the Philippines. An

employee may seek employment at any location where

there is a vacancy and if hired, transfer without loss of

benefits and usually no loss in pay. Only one active state

license is necessary to practice in any VA facility.

Coastal Living

Hot sun, sandy beaches, and great times with friends – all

are yours when you live near the coast. Choose a VA facility

near the West Coast or East Coast and all your downtime

can be beach time.

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AWARDS AND HONORS

Opportunities to receive both monetary and honorary

recognition for overall superior performance and special or

unique achievements are available. In addition, substantial

monetary awards can be earned through participation in

VA’s Employee Suggestion Program when employees offer

creative solutions to problems, or ideas for improving

procedures and services. 

ADDITIONAL BENEFITS

• Direct Federal membership to ADA without local dues

• Smoke-free and drug-free workplace 

• Free parking at most facilities 

• Credit unions 

• Child care at some facilities 

• Medical libraries 

• Flexible Spending Accounts
The Department of Veterans Affairs recognizes the importance

of ongoing education and the benefit it provides to both

veteran patients and employees. VA encourages career

development for dental professionals through the following

programs: 

Continuing Dental Education Programs – These programs

are offered through the VA Employee Education System (EES).

Financial support may be available to those dentists who

pursue continuing dental education programs. In addition, VA

dentists can enroll in accredited, computer-based training

through VA's in-house eLearning offering.

Tuition Support Program – Employees in health care

disciplines identified as VA shortage categories are eligible 

for funding to enroll in job-related courses.

Additional educational opportunities for VA dentists include:

• Preceptorships for dental students in affiliated clinical

education programs

• Facility-based continuing dental education

• Participation in VA funded research programs

• Executive development through administrative and

management education

• Paid time off for approved continuing education programs

• Continuing education available at national meetings 

of VA Dentistry

Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP) – The EDRP

allows VA to provide education loan repayments for newly

appointed health care professionals. The education loan(s)

must be for courses that led directly to qualifying for the

appointed position.

Employee Incentive Scholarship Program (EISP) – This

scholarship program allows VA employees to further their

education and obtain degrees qualifying them for health care

positions for which recruitment and retention is difficult.

EDUCATION

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The Heartland Choice

Sun-soaked prairies in summer,

snow-covered rolling hills in 

winter – the Midwest is a nature

lover’s dream. Working for VA,

you have a broad choice of locations

in the Nation’s heartland. 

“It’s important to me that I

don’t have to sell dentistry.

Our veterans have an implicit

trust in us. They know that

our treatment plans are always

in their best interests.”

— Marco Rand, DMD

Chief, Dental Service

Jacksonville, FL

PERSONNEL POLICIES

QUALIFICATIONS AND REQUIREMENTS 

Minimum qualifications and requirements for appointment

as a VA dentist are: 

• Degree of doctor of dental surgery or dental medicine 

or an equivalent degree from an institution approved 

by the Council on Dental Education, American Dental

Association for the year in which the degree was granted*

• One Post Graduate Year (PGY 1) of training or equivalent

• Current, full, active, and unrestricted license to practice

dental medicine in any State, Territory, or Commonwealth

(e.g., Puerto Rico) of the United States or the District 

of Columbia 

• U.S. citizenship (noncitizens may be appointed when

qualified citizens are not available) 

• English language proficiency 

• Successful professional record for experienced dentists 

• Personal interview 

• Satisfactory physical examination 

SALARY INFORMATION 

• Starting salaries are recommended by a Dentist

Compensation Panel based on professional education,

training, and experience. Dentists are awarded base pay

increases based on length of service.

• In addition to base pay, dentists receive "Market Pay,"

which is specialty driven and dependent on geographic

factors, as well as performance pay, which is dependent

on one's performance and roles in the VA.

• National starting base pay ranges are available at

www.va.gov/OHRM.

10

* Also schools (including foreign schools) accepted by the licensing

body of a State, Territory, Commonwealth, or the District of

Columbia as qualifying for full and unrestricted licensure.

“The concept of teamwork is never

more apparent than in a VA

medical center where each

health care discipline interacts

to manage the overall health

of the patient. That is what

drew me to the Veterans

Administration. 

I would not want to work anywhere else.”

— Terry R. Schmidt, DDS

Chief, Dental Service

Tampa, FL
HOW TO APPLY

11

You should apply directly to the Human Resources Management

Service at the VA health care facility where you desire employment

consideration, as hiring decisions are made locally. However,

information about VA dentistry programs and application procedures

may be obtained from any VA facility. Arrangements can be made 

to have the required personal interview and physical examination

conducted at the facility most convenient to you.

Employment information can also be obtained by contacting 

the Department of Veterans Affairs, Placement Service, 

1555 Poydras Street, Suite 1971, New Orleans, LA 70112. 

The toll-free number is 1-800-949-0002. Employment information

can also be found on the Internet at www.vacareers.va.gov. 

Learn more about practicing as a VA dentist by visiting

www.va.gov/dental.
Learn more online about our VA Health Care facilities at www.vacareers.va.gov

IB 10-8

December 2005

ALABAMA

Birmingham (35233)

205-933-8101

Montgomery (36109)

334-272-4670

Tuscaloosa (35404)

205-554-2000

Tuskegee (36083)

334-727-0550

ALASKA

Anchorage (99508)

907-257-4700

ARIZONA

Phoenix (85012)

602-277-5551

Prescott (86313)

928-445-4860

Tucson (85723)

520-792-1450

ARKANSAS

Fayetteville (72703)

479-443-4301

Little Rock - Towbin (72114)

501-257-1000

Little Rock - McClellan (72205)

501-257-1000

CALIFORNIA

Fresno (93703)

559-225-6100

Livermore (94550)

925-477-2560

Loma Linda (92357)

909-825-7084

Long Beach (90822)

562-826-8000

Los Angeles (90073)

310-478-3711

Martinez (94553)

925-372-2000

Menlo Park (94025)

650-493-5000

Palo Alto (94304)

650-493-5000

San Diego (92161)

858-552-8585

San Francisco (94121)

415-221-4810

COLORADO

Denver (80220)

303-399-8020

Grand Junction (81501)

970-242-0731

CONNECTICUT

Newington (06111)

860-666-6951

West Haven (06516)

203-932-5711

DELAWARE

Wilmington (19805)

302-994-2511

DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA

Washington (20422)

202-745-8000

FLORIDA

Bay Pines (33744)

727-398-6661

Gainesville (32608)

352-376-1611

Lake City (32025)

386-755-3016

Miami (33125)

305-575-7000

Tampa (33612)

813-972-2000

West Palm Beach (33410)

561-882-8262

GEORGIA

Augusta (30904)

706-733-0188

Decatur (30033)

404-321-6111

Dublin (31021)

478-272-1210

HAWAII

Honolulu (96819)

808-433-1000

IDAHO

Boise (83702)

208-422-1000

ILLINOIS

Chicago (60612)

312-569-8387

Chicago - North (60064)

847-688-1900

Danville (61832)

217-554-3000

Hines (60141)

708-202-8387

Marion (62959)

618-997-5311

INDIANA

Fort Wayne (46805)

260-426-5431

Indianapolis (46202)

317-554-0000

Marion (46953)

765-674-3321

IOWA

Des Moines (50310)

515-699-5999

Iowa City (52246)

319-338-0581

Knoxville (50138)

641-842-3101

KANSAS

Leavenworth (66048)

913-682-2000

Topeka (66622)

785-350-3111

Wichita (67218)

316-685-2221

KENTUCKY

Lexington (40502)

859-233-4511

Louisville (40206)

502-895-3401

LOUISIANA

Alexandria (71306)

318-473-0010

New Orleans (70112)

504-568-0811

Shreveport (71101)

318-221-8411

MAINE

Augusta (04330)

207-623-8411

MARYLAND

Baltimore (21201)

410-605-7000

Perry Point (21902)

410-642-2411

MASSACHUSETTS

Bedford (01730)

781-678-2000

Brockton (02301)

508-583-4500

Jamaica Plain (02130)

617-232-9500

Leeds (01053)

413-584-4040

West Roxbury (02132)

617-323-7700

MICHIGAN

Ann Arbor (48105)

734-769-7100

Battle Creek (49015)

616-966-5600

Detroit (48201)

313-576-1000

Iron Mountain (49801)

906-774-3300

Saginaw (48602)

989-497-2500

MINNESOTA

Minneapolis (55417)

612-725-2000

St. Cloud (56303)

320-252-1670

MISSISSIPPI

Biloxi (39531)

228-523-5000

Jackson (39216)

601-362-4471

MISSOURI

Columbia (65201)

573-814-6000

Kansas City (64128)

816-861-4700

Poplar Bluff (63901)

573-686-4151

St. Louis (63125)

314-652-4100

MONTANA

Fort Harrison (59636)

406-442-6410

NEBRASKA

Grand Island (68803)

308-382-3660

Lincoln (68510)

402-489-3802

Omaha (68105)

402-346-8800

NEVADA

Las Vegas - North (89036)

702-636-3000

Reno (89520)

702-786-7200

NEW HAMPSHIRE

Manchester (03104)

603-624-4366

NEW JERSEY

East Orange (07018)

973-676-1000

Lyons (07939)

908-647-0180

NEW MEXICO

Albuquerque (87108)

505-265-1711

NEW YORK

Albany (12208)

518-626-5000

Bath (14810)

607-664-4000

Bronx (10468)

718-584-9000

Brooklyn (11209)

718-836-6600

Buffalo (14215)

716-834-9200

Canandaigua (14424)

585-394-2000

Castle Point (12511)

914-831-2000

Montrose (10548)

914-737-4400

New York (10010)

212-686-7500

Northport (11768)

631-261-4400

St. Albans (11425)

718-526-1000

Syracuse (13210)

315-425-4400

NORTH CAROLINA

Asheville (28805)

828-298-7911

Durham (27705)

919-286-0411

Fayetteville (28301)

910-488-2120

Salisbury (28144)

704-638-9000

NORTH DAKOTA

Fargo (58102)

701-232-3241

OHIO

Cincinnati (45220)

513-861-3100

Chillicothe (45601)

740-773-1141

Cleveland (44106)

216-791-3800

Columbus (43203)

614-257-5200

Dayton (45428)

937-268-6511

OKLAHOMA

Muskogee (74401)

918-683-3261

Oklahoma City (73104)

405-270-0501

OREGON

Portland (97207)

503-220-8262

Roseburg (97470)

541-440-1000

White City (97503)

541-826-2111

PENNSYLVANIA

Altoona (16602)

814-943-8164

Butler (16001)

724-287-4781

Coatesville (19320)

610-384-7711

Erie (16504)

814-868-8661

Lebanon (17042)

717-272-6621

Philadelphia (19104)

215-823-5800

Pittsburgh - Heinz Center (15215)

800-309-8398

Pittsburgh - Highland Drive (15206)

800-647-6220

Pittsburgh - University Drive (15240)

866-482-7488

Wilkes-Barre (18711)

877-928-2621

PHILIPPINES

Manila (96515) (FPO AP)

011-632-833-4566

PUERTO RICO

San Juan (00921)

787-641-7582

RHODE ISLAND

Providence (02908)

401-273-7100

SOUTH CAROLINA

Charleston (29401)

843-577-5011

Columbia (29209)

803-776-4000

SOUTH DAKOTA

Fort Meade (57741)

605-347-2511

Hot Springs (57747)

605-745-2000

Sioux Falls (57117)

605-336-3230

TENNESSEE

Memphis (38104)

901-523-8990

Mountain Home (37684)

423-926-1171

Murfreesboro (37129)

615-867-6000

Nashville (37212)

615-327-4751

TEXAS

Amarillo (79106)

806-355-9703

Big Spring (79720)

432-263-7361

Bonham (75418)

903-583-2111

Dallas (75216)

214-742-8387

El Paso (79930)

915-564-6100

Houston (77030)

713-791-1414

Kerrville (78028)

210-896-2020

Marlin (76661)

254-883-3551

San Antonio (78229)

210-617-5300

Temple (76504)

254-778-4811

Waco (76711)

254-752-6581

UTAH

Salt Lake City (84148)

801-582-1565

VERMONT

White River Junction (05009)

802-295-9363

VIRGINIA

Hampton (23667)

757-722-9961

Richmond (23249)

804-675-5000

Salem (24153)

540-982-2463

WASHINGTON

Seattle (98108)

206-762-1010

Spokane (99205)

509-434-7000

Tacoma (98493)

253-582-8440

Walla Walla (99362)

509-525-5200

WEST VIRGINIA

Beckley (25801)

304-255-2121

Clarksburg (26301)

304-623-3461

Huntington (25704)

304-429-6755

Martinsburg (25401)

304-263-0811

WISCONSIN

Madison (53705)

608-256-1901

Milwaukee (53295)

414-384-2000

Tomah (54660)

608-372-3971

WYOMING

Cheyenne (82001)

307-778-7550

Sheridan (82801)

307-672-3473

To gain a first-hand view of VA health care, you are invited and

encouraged to visit any of our VA Medical Centers or ambulatory

and community-based outpatient clinics. Please call or write to

arrange an appointment. 

Telephone numbers are listed below for each medical center.

Also, telephone numbers are listed for every VA facility in local

telephone directories under “U.S. Government.”

You can also address correspondence to: 

Human Resource Management Service, VA Medical Center, 

[City, State, ZIP Code] (listed below).

VA HEALTH CARE FACILITIES