Dental Assistant - Lead

Overview Of Position

Welcome to Cherry Health – video about Cherry Health. The Lead Dental Assistant / Registered Dental Assistant (RDA) supports the clinical team by performing all standard dental assisting duties while also serving in a leadership role to ensure efficient clinic operations. This role includes overseeing daily workflow, maintaining inventory, ensuring infection control compliance, and supporting the Dental Supervisor with administrative and operational responsibilities.

Must adhere to the organizational Policies, Procedures, Code of Ethics, and all licensing and accreditation standards of the position. Must represent the organization’s Mission in all actions and communications.

• Act as the go-to person to answer staff questions and resolve issues.
• Create schedules and approve time and PTO requests in the time and attendance system.
• Assist manager with staff performance concerns, participate in the corrective action and review processes.
• Escort patients, prepare them for treatment and provide assistance in the educational and preventive care of proper oral hygiene.
• Assist dentist in the performance of procedures by setting up trays, disinfecting equipment, sterilizing instruments, equipment maintenance and maintaining a clean and efficient work area through practice of universal precautions.
• Maintain patient records and assist in recording patient information.
• Explain oral hygiene and post‑op instructions to patients/guardians.
• Take x‑rays (as allowed with proper certification).
• Complete instrument transfers.
• Take alginate impressions, pour and trim models.
• Maintain aseptic environment.
• Monitor supplies and order as needed.
• Under the direction of the dentist, may assist in dental procedures performed in a hospital operating room. Hospital orientation is required prior to working in the hospital.
• Other duties as assigned.

• Basic Life Support/CPR training according to requirements of license and/or certification.
• Ability to interact in an engaging professional manner with a diverse patient population.
• Ability to work in a team environment.
• Travel and/or assignments to other sites may be necessary based on business need.
• May be required to translate other languages if applicable.

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

GED or high school diploma and yearly internal skills assessment required. Successful completion of radiology competency set by the state of Michigan preferred.

Two to three years dental chairside experience preferred or an equivalent combination of education and experience sufficient to successfully perform the essential duties of the job listed above.

Possible exposure to patients/clients with illnesses and/or infections. Frequent telephone and computer use, requiring manual dexterity for writing and computer use. Sitting, standing or walking for extended periods of time. Specific vision abilities required by this job may include close vision, distance vision, and ability to adjust focus. May require bending, squatting, or kneeling and lifting up to 50 pounds. Use of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) as required.

May serve all populations.

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.

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 community will be healthier because we will seek…