Dental Assistant - Team Lead - Cherry Street Health Center

Dental Assistant
- Lead

The Dental Assistant
- Lead is responsible for providing chair-side support in dental procedures and ensuring the smooth operation of the dental office. This role includes leading the team in answering staff questions, resolving issues, managing schedules, and assisting the dentist during procedures. The Lead Dental Assistant maintains a clean and efficient work area, ensures proper sterilization, and monitors inventory. The position also involves educating patients on proper oral hygiene and providing post-operative instructions.

Responsibilities:

• Act as the primary resource for staff questions and resolve issues related to dental procedures and office operations.
• Create and manage staff schedules, approve time and PTO requests through the time and attendance system.
• Assist the manager with addressing staff performance concerns and participate in corrective action and performance review processes.
• Escort patients, prepare them for treatment, and assist in educating and promoting proper oral hygiene.
• Support the dentist during procedures by setting up trays, disinfecting equipment, sterilizing instruments, and maintaining a clean work area.
• Maintain accurate patient records and assist in documenting patient information.
• Provide oral hygiene and post-operative instructions to patients and guardians.
• Take radiographs (x-rays) as per certification and assist with imaging procedures.
• Assist with completing instrument transfers during procedures.
• Take alginate impressions, pour, and trim models.
• Ensure an aseptic environment and practice universal precautions.
• Monitor dental supplies and place orders as needed to maintain stock.
• Under the direction of the dentist, assist in dental procedures in a hospital operating room, following similar duties performed in the clinic setting. Hospital orientation is required.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Skills / Knowledge / Abilities:

• Basic Life Support/CPR certification as required by licensing and/or certification.
• Ability to interact with a diverse patient population in a professional and engaging manner.
• Strong teamwork skills and ability to collaborate effectively with other dental staff.
• Flexibility to travel or be assigned to other sites based on business needs.
• Ability to translate or communicate in other languages if applicable.

Competencies:

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

Education / Licenses /

Certifications:

• Education:
  
  GED or high school diploma required. Yearly internal skills assessment is required.
• Certifications:
  
  Successful completion of radiology competency set by the State of Michigan preferred.

Experience:

A minimum of one year of dental chairside experience preferred, or an equivalent combination of education and experience sufficient to perform the essential duties of the position.

Physical Requirements:

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

Client Population Served:

May serve all populations.

Additional Information:

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

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…