Dental Assistant/RDA - Heart of the City

Cherry Health • Grand Rapids, MI

9d • Onsite

About The Position

Cherry Health is seeking a Dental Assistant/RDA for their Heart of the City Health Center. This role supports clinical and operational teams by performing chair-side dentistry, sterilization, patient care, and expanded functions if licensed. The position requires adherence to organizational policies, mission, and values. Business hours are Monday-Saturday, with potential for early mornings, late nights, weekends, and travel to other Cherry Health sites.

Requirements

• High school diploma or equivalent.
• Graduate of an accredited dental assisting program or equivalent experience.
• Current CPR/BLS certification.
• Radiography certification (as required by Michigan law).
• Basic Life Support/CPR training according to requirements of license and/or certification.
• Ability to relate to the public regardless of ethnic, religion and economic status.
• Ability to work in a team environment.
• Current Registered Dental Assistant (RDA) license from the Michigan Board of Dentistry (for RDA candidates).
• Completion of expanded functions training approved by the state (for RDA candidates).
• Proof of passing the Michigan RDA exam and jurisprudence exam (for RDA candidates).
• Yearly internal skills assessment required.

Nice To Haves

• Previous dental chair side experience preferred.
• Experience with dental practice software.
• Excellent chairside manner and patient communication.
• Strong attention to detail and organizational skills.
• Ability to multitask and stay calm under pressure.
• Professionalism and a positive, team-oriented attitude.
• May be required to translate other languages if applicable.

Responsibilities

• Prepare operatory rooms and instruments for dental procedures.
• Assist the dentist during exams, fillings, extractions, crowns, and other procedures.
• Take and process dental radiographs (X-rays).
• Ensure strict compliance with sterilization and infection control guidelines.
• Adhere to PPE and safety protocols at all times.
• Comfort and educate patients before, during, and after treatment.
• Maintain accurate and up-to-date patient records.
• Provide oral hygiene and post-op instructions to patients.
• Support front desk operations as needed, including scheduling and confirming appointments.
• Take and record patient vital signs as needed (e.g., Blood Pressure, Glucose).
• May be required to translate other languages if applicable.
• Other duties as assigned.
• Place and carve amalgam restorations (RDA Only).
• Place and finish composite restorations (RDA Only).
• Perform coronal polishing (RDA Only).
• Take final impressions for fixed and removable appliances (RDA Only).
• Apply pit and fissure sealants (RDA Only).
• Place temporary crowns and bridges (RDA Only).
• Place bases and liners (RDA Only).
• Use matrix bands and wedges (RDA Only).
• Take preliminary impressions for diagnostic models (RDA Only).
• Applying sealants and fluoride (RDA Only).
• Remove excess cement from supragingival surfaces (RDA Only).
• Polish teeth before a procedure that requires acid etching (RDA Only).
• Replace existing temporary restorations, crowns, and bridges (RDA Only).
• Cement and remove temporary crowns (RDA Only).
• Remove sutures (RDA Only).
• Place, condense, and carve amalgam restorations (RDA Only).
• Place Class I bonded restorations, occlusal adjustment, finish, and polish with non-tissue cutting rotary hand pieces (RDA Only).
• Take final impressions for indirect restorations (RDA Only).
• Assist and monitor of N2O (upon course completion) (RDA Only).
• Perform pulp vitality testing (RDA Only).
• Place and remove matrices and wedges, rubber dams, and norepinephrine retraction cord (RDA Only).
• Apply cavity liners and bases (RDA Only).
• Apply desensitizing agents (RDA Only).
• Take impressions for mouth guards and bite splints (RDA Only).
• Dry endodontic canals with absorbent points (RDA Only).
• Assist the Dentist in dental procedures performed in a hospital operating room under direction and after orientation (RDA Only).

Benefits

• Loan repayment through the NHSC and Michigan State Loan Repayment Program for select roles
• Medical, Dental and Vision Insurance for you and your family
• Generous Paid Time Off benefit – 4 weeks per year for full time
• Paid holidays - 8 full day paid holidays (Including Black Friday!) and 2 half day paid holidays!
• 403(b) Retirement Savings Plan with generous employer match - $ for $ match up to 5%
• MET and MESP 529 Savings Plans
• Pet Insurance!
• Employee Assistance Program

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Education Level: High school or GED