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CH

Dental Assistant/RDA - Heart of the City

Cherry Health·Grand Rapids, Michigan

Full Time·On Site·0-2 yrs·Posted 12 days ago
Practice for this role

About the role

Provide chairside assistance for various dental procedures and maintain strict sterilization and infection control protocols. Support clinical and operational teams through patient education, record maintenance, and front-desk assistance.

Welcome to Cherry Health - video about Cherry Health [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PKL3RNJLG9g]

Job Description

Dental Assistant / RDA - Heart of the City Health Center

Location

On site - Heart of the City Health Center 100 Cherry St

Schedule

  • Monday,
  • Tuesday,
  • Thursday 7:30-6:30,
  • Friday 7:30-4:30 Off Wednesdays, with a Saturday rotation from 9am-12pm. Travel to other Cherry Health sites may be required

This role includes supporting the clinical and operational teams. Responsible for performing in chair-side fourhanded dentistry of care/treatment of patients with general chairside duties, sterilization, patient care, and, if licensed, performing expanded functions permitted by the Michigan Board of Dentistry for RDA’s.

Business hours Monday – Saturday, early morning, late night and weekends and travel may be required to accomplish the essential job functions of this role

Must adhere to the Personnel Policies, Code of Ethics, and all licensing and accreditation standards of the position. Must represent the organization’s Mission and Key Values in all actions, communications, and representations with all contacts.

Essential duties and responsibilities

General Clinical Duties (DA & RDA)

  • 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. i.e Blood Pressure, Glucose
  • May be required to translate other languages if applicable
  • Other duties as assigned

Expanded Functions (RDA Only – as allowed under Michigan law)

  • 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
  • Under the direction of the Dentist and after attending all required hospital orientation, a dental assistant may assist the Dentist in dental procedures performed in a hospital operating room. Specific duties would be similar to those performed in the clinic setting.
  • .

Skills / Knowledge / Abilities

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.

CSHS reserves the right to assign a different location(s) dependent upon business necessity.

Key values

  • Customer Service
  • Collaboration
  • Integrity
  • Respect
  • Professionalism
  • Learning

Education / Licenses / Certificates

Required (DA or RDA)

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).

yearly internal skills assessment required.

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.

Experience

  • 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

Working conditions

The essential functions of this position must be able to be accomplished with or without accommodations.

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by the people assigned to this classification. They are not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties and skills required of personnel so classified.

Client/Patient population served

Pediatrics, Adolescents, Adults, Geriatrics.

Who we are

Cherry Health, Michigan’s largest Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC), operates in six counties across the state, is based in Grand Rapids. With a team of more than 800 health care professionals at 20 locations, Cherry Health focuses on removing barriers, expanding access, and delivering comprehensive quality health care services to underserved communities, regardless of an individual’s insurance status or ability to pay. We provide primary care, dental, vision, behavioral health, pharmacy services, substance abuse services, residential re-entry services, school-based health centers and more.

Our Mission

Cherry Health improves the health and wellness of individuals by providing comprehensive primary and behavioral health care while encouraging access by those who are underserved.

Our Vision

Our community will be healthier because we will seek out and welcome those who need our services. All will be treated as family with integrated, coordinated care to improve health and personal well-being.

Our Values

Collaboration – Support the Cherry Health mission by encouraging teamwork to accomplish organizational goals.

Customer Service – Serve internal and external customers in a welcoming manner with compassionate care.

Innovation – Embrace creativity to improve patient care and workplace efficiency while remaining curious and open to learning.

Integrity – Uphold the highest ethical standards by being honest and trustworthy.

Professionalism – Create a positive work environment where we care accountable for our decision, our action and the results.

Benefits

  • Cherry Health has excellent benefit offerings dependent on employment status. Check out a sample of the benefits available to our team members below!
  • Loan repayment through the NHSC and Michigan State Loan Repayment Program for select roles [http://nhsc.hrsa.gov/sites/default/files/nhsc/loan-repayment/loan-repayment-comparison.pdf]
  • 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

Our policy is to offer all employees and applicants for employment equal opportunity without regard to race, color, religion, gender, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, marital status, height, weight, sexual orientation, gender identity, or status as a covered veteran in accordance with applicable federal, state and local laws, or any other protected category.

Requirements

Requires a high school diploma, graduation from an accredited dental assisting program, and current CPR/BLS and radiography certifications. RDA candidates must hold a valid Michigan Board of Dentistry license and have completed expanded functions training.

  • high school
  • professional certificate
  • Multitasking
  • Patient Care
  • Vital Signs Recording
  • Patient Education
  • Patient Communication
  • Sterilization
  • Infection Control
  • Dental Software
  • CPR/BLS
  • Coronal Polishing
  • Dental Impressions
  • Dental Radiography
  • Composite Restorations
  • Four-handed Dentistry
  • Amalgam Restorations
  • Pit and Fissure Sealants

Posting details

Employment type
Full Time
Work arrangement
On Site
Experience
0-2 yrs
Location
Grand Rapids, Michigan
Posted
Jul 16, 2026
Application
Employer website
CH

Hiring organization

Cherry Health

Cherry Health is an independent, non-profit Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC) with a primary focus on providing high-quality health services to those who have little or no access to health care, regardless of income or insurance status. Services provided by Cherry Health...

IndustryHospitals and Health Care
TypeNonprofit
Size501-1,000 employees
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Market context

Michigan dental roles stay competitive

Dental roles in Michigan are often shaped by steady patient demand and the need for practices to keep schedules full with reliable clinical support. Competition can be strongest for candidates who combine chairside skill, clear communication, and teamwork, especially when benefits like medical, dental, vision, life insurance, and sick leave are part of the package. Review the AI-summarized requirements and benefits here to quickly compare fit against the original job description and decide whether your credentialing and experience align before applying.

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