Dental Assistant/RDA - Wyoming Community Health Center

Cherry Health • Grand Rapids, MI

11d • Hybrid

About The Position

The Dental Assistant provides essential support in performing chair-side four-handed dentistry to ensure quality care and treatment for patients. This position involves assisting the dentist with patient procedures, preparing treatment areas, sterilizing instruments, and maintaining a safe, aseptic environment. The Dental Assistant is also responsible for taking x-rays, preparing materials, and educating patients on oral hygiene. Adherence to organizational policies, ethical standards, and the mission is a key expectation. Schedule is typically Monday -Friday between 8am and 6:30pm, with a Saturday rotation from 9am to 12pm. Travel to other Cherry Health sites may be required.

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.
• Promotes and believes in NHSI mission statement “Health for All”.
• Ability to relate to the public regardless of ethnic, religion and economic status.
• Ability to work in a team environment.
• 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.
• Pass yearly skill assessment.

Nice To Haves

• Additional for RDA candidates: Current Registered Dental Assistant (RDA) license from the Michigan Board of Dentistry.
• Completion of expanded functions training approved by the state.
• Proof of passing the Michigan RDA exam and jurisprudence exam.
• 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.
• Taking and recording 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.
• Place and finish composite restorations.
• Perform coronal polishing.
• Take final impressions for fixed and removable appliances.
• Apply pit and fissure sealants.
• Place temporary crowns and bridges.
• Place bases and liners.
• Use matrix bands and wedges.
• Take preliminary impressions for diagnostic models.
• Applying sealants and fluoride.
• Remove excess cement from supragingival surfaces.
• Polish teeth before a procedure that requires acid etching.
• Replace existing temporary restorations, crowns, and bridges.
• Cement and remove temporary crowns.
• Remove sutures.
• Place, condense, and carve amalgam restorations.
• Place Class I bonded restorations, occlusal adjustment, finish, and polish with non-tissue cutting rotary hand pieces.
• Take final impressions for indirect restorations.
• Assist and monitor of N2O (upon course completion).
• Perform pulp vitality testing.
• Place and remove matrices and wedges, rubber dams, and norepinephrine retraction cord.
• Apply cavity liners and bases.
• Apply desensitizing agents.
• Take impressions for mouth guards and bite splints.
• Dry endodontic canals with absorbent points.
• Assist the Dentist in dental procedures performed in a hospital operating room, after attending all required hospital orientation.

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: Entry Level
• Education Level: High school or GED