Dental assistant general

Who We Are

As an employer, the City of Philadelphia values inclusion, integrity, innovation, empowerment, and hard work above all else. We offer a vibrant work environment, comprehensive health care and benefits, and the experience you need to grow and excel. If you’re interested in working with a passionate team of people who care about the future of Philadelphia, start here.

What We Offer

Impact - The work you do here matters to millions.

Growth - Philadelphia is growing, why not grow with it?

Diversity & Inclusion - Find a career in a place where everyone belongs.

Benefits - We Care About Your Well-being.

The City of Philadelphia is a Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program qualified employer.

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Equal Access to Civil Service Testing

The City of Philadelphia is an Equal Opportunity employer and does not permit discrimination based on race, ethnicity, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, national origin, ancestry, age, disability, marital status, source of income, familial status, genetic information or domestic or sexual violence victim status. If you believe you were discriminated against, call the Philadelphia Commission on Human Relations at 215-686-4670 or send an email to [email protected]. For more information, go to:

The City of Philadelphia is committed to ensuring access to Civil Service examinations by providing appropriate accommodation for candidates with documented medical or religious reasons. Candidates may request accommodation for a Civil Service examination by contacting the Office of Human Resources (OHR) at 215-686-2350 or by email at [email protected]. The accommodation process is interactive and requires cooperation and communication between the applicant and OHR. Decisions will be made on a case-by-case basis using the required documentation that is submitted. Requests are to be made in a timely manner prior to the scheduled date of the Civil Service examination.

Only an on-line application will be accepted for this exam. Paper applications will not be accepted.

Computers are available in the 3-1-1 Walk-In Center located in Room 167 of City Hall (Weekdays from 9 AM to 5 PM) and at your local Philadelphia Free Library branch.

For inquiries regarding City employment, contact the Office of Human Resources Monday through Friday between 8 AM and 4 PM by telephone at 215-686-0880 or by email at [email protected]

Information concerning employment with the City of Philadelphia may be found at:

• work.phila.gov

General Definition

This is technical dental work of limited scope in the care and treatment of the teeth and gums of patients in the City's dental health clinics. Employees in this class assist dentists and hygienists as they examine and treat patients during the provision of preventive maintenance and restorative services. Employees additionally provide some direct technical dental treatment to patients. Work is performed under the direct supervision of a dentist or hygienist.

CONTACT INFORMATION

The analyst responsible for reviewing applications and additional documentation for this job opportunity is

Jamie Trull

City of Philadelphia – Office of Human Resources

1401 JFK Blvd., Room 1530

Philadelphia, PA 19102-1675

Phone: 215-686-5561

Fax: 215-686-0861

Email: [email protected]

For all other inquiries please contact Customer Service at 215-686-0880 or email [email protected]

Notes to Applicants and Projected Exam Information

ELIGIBLE LIST: OPEN-COMPETITIVE

Only an Open-Competitive eligible list will be established as a result of this examination. Permanent City employees will receive no promotional preference in this examination.

Candidates who pass the exam and are placed on the civil service list will be retained on the list for a minimum of one year and a maximum of two years after the establishment of the Eligible List.

RESIDENCY REQUIREMENT

Philadelphia residency is not required to submit an application; however Applicants must have established bona fide residency in the City of Philadelphia for one year prior to appointment.

PREFERENCE FOR PHILADELPHIA RESIDENTS

Candidates who have maintained a bona fide residence in Philadelphia for at least one year prior to the date of the civil service examination shall have priority over all other people receiving an identical test score.

To receive such preference, candidates must respond to the question regarding residence on this application. This response will be used to determine eligibility for preference for residents. Documentation of residence may be required if there is any question as to whether you meet the residency preference requirements.

If an applicant does not respond to the appropriate residence question, it will be assumed that the applicant does not qualify for residence preference. Eligibility for residence preference must be determined by the date of the test administration. No requests for residence preference will be granted after the test administration.

INDEBTEDNESS NOTICE

As a condition of employment with the City, any person offered employment shall be required to certify that such person either is fully current on any and all debts, taxes, fees, judgments, claims, and other accounts and obligations due and owing to the City; or has voluntarily entered into a payment agreement with the City. For so long as the person is employed by the City, the amount of the payment as set forth in the payment agreement (not to exceed, for any pay period, twenty percent (20%) of the person’s gross pay for such period, without the person’s consent) shall be withheld from each paycheck until such payment agreement is fully satisfied.

Such person shall also be required to certify as a condition of employment that he or she is fully current on any and all debts, taxes, fees, judgments, claims, and other accounts and obligations due and owing to the Philadelphia Gas Works (PGW) or has voluntarily entered into a payment agreement with PGW.

Failure to enter into a payment agreement shall result in the cancellation of the appointment and removal from the certification. The name of the eligible candidate will be returned to the eligible list.

PREFERENCE POINTS FOR CANDIDATES FOR OPEN-COMPETITIVE EXAMS

Candidates who pass Open-Competitive exams may be eligible for additional points added to their final score. Preference Points may be claimed from the time of application until 30 days after the eligible list is established. The required documentation for the preference must be provided to receive the points.

U.S. VETERAN'S PREFERENCE

Ten points will be added to the scores of eligible veterans. You must be honorably discharged from the U.S. armed forces. Attach a DD214, member 4, or NGB-22 to your application if you wish your eligibility to be reviewed. Spouses of disabled or deceased veterans may also be considered. Veteran’s Points may be claimed at any time before the list expires.

LEGACY PREFERENCE

Ten points will be added to the scores of the children or grandchildren of Philadelphia Firefighters or Police Officers who were killed or died in the line of duty.

NATIONAL VOLUNTEER SERVICE PREFERENCE

Up to 5 points will be added to the score of any candidate who has:

• Successfully completed a term of volunteer service with Peace Corps, AmeriCorps NCCC (including FEMA Corps), or AmeriCorps VISTA are eligible for additional points
  
  

For Peace Corps, such candidates will be awarded five (5) points for the completion of a two-year term of service or three (3) points for the completion of a one-year term of service.

• Successfully completed at least 450 hours of service with AmeriCorps State and National (including Teach for America).
  
  

Such Candidates Will Have

• 1 point added to their final score if they have completed 450 Hours of the above service.
• 2 points added to their final score if they have completed 675 Hours of the above service.
• 3 points added to their final score if they have completed 900 Hours of the above service.
• 5 points added to their final score if they have completed 1700 Hours of the above service.
  
  

PHILADELPHIA SCHOOL DISTRICT CAREER AND TECHNICAL EDUCATION PREFERENCE

Up to 5 points will be added to the score of candidates who have completed and graduated from a career technical education (CTE) program of the School District of Philadelphia within the last three years before the examination announcement date. If the 5 additional points from the CTE preference would rank a CTE graduate above a veteran, additional points shall be applied to the CTE candidate’s passing score to rank them directly below the veteran.

Training And Experience Evaluation

Applicants will be evaluated and scored based upon their training and experience credentials. Applicants will not be asked to appear to take a scheduled examination.

Scores in the Training and Experience Evaluation will be based on documentation of education and experience provided by the candidate. To receive full credit for your education and experience, you should submit all relevant documentation including college transcripts, licenses, certifications, paid out of class

documentation, etc. and provide a detailed description of your education, experience, and credentials.

An Eligible List will be established the week of 12/08/2025. Please note that this date may change.

Test Review

In accordance with Civil Service Regulation 9.091D, candidates may review their answer sheets and other test papers to determine if they have been scored correctly or if there has been an irregularity in the administration of the examination. Candidates will have 30 days after the results have been mailed to review their test and to file a written appeal. Call 215 686-0880 if you wish to schedule a test review.

Level of Education Required

High School/GED

Minimum Acceptable Training And Experience

The following statement represents the minimum training and experience standards which will be used to admit or reject applicants for tests.

ANTICIPATED ELIGIBILITY

Candidates who meet all eligibility requirements within 3 months of the application deadline will be admitted to this examination. Successful candidates will be placed on the eligible list but may not be hired or promoted until all requirements have been satisfied.

• EDUCATION
  
  

Education equivalent to completion of the twelfth school grade.

Completion of a formal expanded function dental assistant training program at a two-year college or other accredited institution which has included a Completion Certification program of at least 200 hours of expanded function clinical and didactic instruction in restorative functions; or graduation from an accredited school of dental hygiene which has included completion of formal clinical and didactic instructions in expanded functions dental assisting training of at least 75 hours.

• LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS AND/OR CERTIFICATES
  
  

Possession of valid licensure issued by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania State Board of Dentistry as an Expanded Function Dental Assistant at the time of application, at the time of appointment and during tenure of employment.

Possession of certification by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania’s State Board of Dentistry to perform dental radiologic procedures after passing the Radiologic Procedures examination administered by the Dental Assisting National Board at the time of application.

Physical And Medical Requirements

Ability to physically perform the duties and to work in the environmental conditions required of a position in this class.

Transcript, Licenses, Registrations And Certification Requirements

Candidates MUST submit a copy of their official college or university transcript(s) indicating completion of the educational requirement and all required licenses, registrations or certifications at the time of application. Transcripts MUST indicate conference of the appropriate degree. Candidates with a degree from foreign colleges or universities must submit proof of degree as certified by a professional evaluation service.

Candidates MUST submit a copy of their license, registration or certification.

If you have ever submitted a paper transcript, license, registration or certification for any City of Philadelphia civil service examination, you must submit another document

Option 1 - Upload a paperless transcript, license, registration or certification – One time only!

You may upload documents into your account and attach a document with this application. Once the document is uploaded to your account, it may be attached to all future applications. Attaching your document will save you time and money if you apply for an examination in the future, and you will be assured that your transcript cannot be misplaced.

Your documents should be uploaded and attached to your application before it is submitted. They cannot be uploaded or added to your application electronically after your application has been submitted.

Option 2 – Submit a paper transcript, license, registration or certification – Separate document required for each application

If you submit a paper copy of a transcript, license, registration or certification, the document will be used for this application only. You will have to submit documents again whenever you apply for an examination in the future. Paper documents will not be retained and will not be returned to applicants.

Mailing Address For Paper Transcript And Other Required Materials

Jamie Trull

City of Philadelphia – Office of Human Resources

1401 JFK Blvd., Room 1530

Philadelphia, PA 19102-1675

Phone: 215-686-5561

Fax: 215-686-0861

Email: [email protected]

City Of Philadelphia Benefits Includes

• Medical
• Dental
• Prescription
• Vision
• Life Insurance
• Flexible Spending Account
• Hybrid Defined Benefit/Defined Contribution Plan
• Voluntary Deferred Compensation Plan
• Employee Assistant Program
• 13 paid holidays
• Paid sick leave
• Vacation leave
• Paid personal days
• 8 weeks paid Parental Leave
• Backup Child and Adult care
• Wellbeing platform and programs
• Retiree Health Benefits
• Qualified Student Loan Forgiveness Employer
• Tuition Discounts for City Employees

01

Do you possess licensure issued by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania State Board of Dentistry as an Expanded Function Dental Assistant at the time of application?

• Pass
• Fail

Required Question