Dental Assistant/ RDA - Cherry Street

Cherry Health • Grand Rapids, MI

1d • Onsite

About The Position

Cherry Health is hiring a Dental Assistant or Registered Dental Assistant (RDA) to support clinical and operational teams at its Cherry Street Health Center. The role provides chairside, four-handed dental assistance and general patient care, including preparing operatories and instruments, assisting with procedures, taking radiographs, sterilization, maintaining records, and providing patient education. The position may also support front-desk operations and take patient vital signs. RDAs may perform expanded functions permitted by the Michigan Board of Dentistry and their training and licensure.

The role serves pediatric, adolescent, adult, and geriatric patients. Work is based at the Cherry Street Health Center at 550 Cherry St.; travel may be required, and Cherry Health may assign a different location based on business needs. Business hours are Monday through Saturday and may include early mornings, late nights, and weekends. The essential functions must be performed with or without accommodations.

Employees must follow personnel policies, the Code of Ethics, and applicable licensing and accreditation standards, and represent Cherry Health’s mission and values in their work and communications. Cherry Health is a Michigan-based Federally Qualified Health Center that provides comprehensive healthcare services to underserved communities.

Requirements

• High school diploma or equivalent.
• Graduation from an accredited dental assisting program or equivalent experience.
• Current CPR/BLS certification.
• Radiography certification as required by Michigan law.
• Complete a yearly internal skills assessment.
• For RDA candidates: current Registered Dental Assistant license from the Michigan Board of Dentistry.
• For RDA candidates: completion of state-approved expanded-functions training.
• For RDA candidates: proof of passing the Michigan RDA exam and jurisprudence exam.
• Ability to relate to the public regardless of ethnicity, religion, or economic status.
• Ability to work in a team environment.

Nice To Haves

• Previous dental chairside experience.
• Experience with dental practice software.
• Excellent chairside manner and patient communication.
• Strong attention to detail and organizational skills.
• Ability to multitask and remain calm under pressure.
• Professionalism and a positive, team-oriented attitude.

Responsibilities

• Prepare operatory rooms and instruments for dental procedures.
• Assist the dentist during examinations, fillings, extractions, crowns, and other procedures.
• Take and process dental radiographs (X-rays).
• Follow sterilization, infection-control, PPE, and safety protocols.
• Comfort and educate patients before, during, and after treatment.
• Maintain accurate and current patient records.
• Provide oral-hygiene and post-operative instructions.
• Support front-desk operations as needed, including scheduling and confirming appointments.
• Take and record patient vital signs as needed, including blood pressure and glucose.
• Translate other languages if applicable and required.
• Perform other duties as assigned.
• For RDAs, perform expanded functions allowed under Michigan law and within applicable training and licensure, including restorative procedures, polishing, impressions, sealants and fluoride application, temporary crowns and bridges, liners and bases, matrix and wedge placement, removal of sutures and excess cement, desensitizing agents, pulp vitality testing, and other listed functions.
• Assist the dentist with procedures in a hospital operating room when directed and after completing required hospital orientation.

Benefits

• Loan repayment through the NHSC and Michigan State Loan Repayment Program for select roles.
• Medical, dental, and vision insurance for employees and their families.
• Four weeks of paid time off per year for full-time employees.
• Eight full-day paid holidays and two half-day paid holidays.
• 403(b) retirement savings plan with an employer match of up to 5%.
• MET and MESP 529 savings plans.
• Pet insurance.
• Employee Assistance Program.

What This Job Offers

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