Dental Assistant/ RDA - Cherry Street

Cherry Health • Grand Rapids, MI

13d • 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, located at 550 Cherry St. The role provides chairside, four-handed dental assistance; sterilization; patient care; and, for licensed RDAs, expanded functions permitted by the Michigan Board of Dentistry. The organization may assign a different work location based on business needs, and travel may be required to perform essential job functions.

The assistant prepares treatment rooms and instruments, assists dentists during procedures, takes and processes radiographs, follows infection-control and safety protocols, supports and educates patients, maintains records, and provides oral hygiene and postoperative instructions. The role may also include supporting front-desk operations, recording vital signs, translating other languages when applicable, and assisting with dental procedures in a hospital operating room after required orientation.

RDAs may perform expanded dental functions allowed under Michigan law, including specified restorative, preventive, impression-taking, temporary appliance, and related clinical procedures. The position serves pediatric, adolescent, adult, and geriatric patients. Staff must follow applicable personnel policies, codes of ethics, licensing and accreditation standards, and Cherry Health’s mission and values. Essential functions must be performed with or without accommodations.

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.
• Annual internal skills assessment and passing the yearly skill assessment.
• Ability to relate to the public regardless of ethnic, religious, or economic status.
• Ability to work in a team environment.
• 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.
• Basic Life Support/CPR training according to license and/or certification requirements.

Nice To Haves

• Previous dental chairside experience is preferred.
• 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, crown procedures, and other treatments.
• Take and process dental radiographs.
• Follow sterilization, infection-control, PPE, and safety protocols.
• Comfort and educate patients before, during, and after treatment.
• Maintain accurate, up-to-date patient records.
• Provide oral hygiene and postoperative 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 when applicable.
• Perform other duties as assigned.
• For RDAs, perform expanded functions permitted under Michigan law, including specified restorations, coronal polishing, impressions, sealants, temporary crowns and bridges, application of bases and liners, and related procedures.
• Assist with and monitor nitrous oxide after completing the required course, when applicable.
• Assist the dentist with procedures in a hospital operating room after completing required hospital orientation.
• Represent Cherry Health’s mission and values in interactions and follow applicable personnel policies, ethics codes, licensing requirements, and accreditation standards.

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 employer matching dollar for dollar 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