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Cherry Health
Grand Rapids, Michigan

Dental Therapist

Counselor Top 25% in Mental Health Therapy (Counseling)Full-Time

Compensation

Pay not disclosed

Listing transparency1 of 6 stated

Ask the employer about the pay range, the work setting and call expectations.

Employment & setting
Full-Time
Call expectations
Not specified
Weekends
Not specified
Posted 2mo ago

Job Description

Welcome to Cherry Health - video about Cherry Health

Overview of Position

Responsible for providing dental care consistent with accepted professional standards. Promotes general dental health, prevents oral disease and provides disease treatment by performing the duties outlined in this job description. Works under the supervision of a licensed dentist and provides treatments within authorized scope and detailed within the Written Practice Agreement.

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.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

  • Provide direct patient care and treatment as part of a dental team, providing clinical treatments in collaboration with the supervising dentist via a Written Practice Agreement.
  • A dental therapist licensed by the State of Michigan may perform the full range of procedures within their scope, pursuant to the Written Practice Agreement.
  • A dental therapist may supervise 3 or fewer dental assistants and 2 fewer dental hygienists any in 1 practice setting (defined in Written Practice Agreement).
  • Work effectively with diverse and multi-cultural staff and patient populations.
  • Attend departmental, internal and external meetings as required.
  • Other duties as assigned.
  • Understand and adhere to Cherry Health’s compliance standards as they appear in the Corporate Compliance Policy, Code of Conduct and Conflict of Interest Policy.
  • Keep abreast of all pertinent federal, state and Cherry Health’s regulations, laws, and policies as they presently exist and as they change or are modified.

Skills / Knowledge / Abilities

  • Demonstrate clinical competence.
  • Function independently with limited supervision
  • Possess the ability to handle stressful situations effectively and with calm demeanor in all situations.

Apply cultural sensitivity with respect to working with persons and groups of diverse racial, ethnic, economic and social backgrounds.

  • Possess efficient computer skills and experience with electronic records system.
  • Basic Life Support/CPR training according to requirements of license and/or certification.

Ability to read, analyze and interpret professional journals, technical procedures and governmental regulations.

Ability to fulfill the requirement of travel between facilities.

Education / Licenses / Certificates

Successful completion of a dental therapy educational program that meets the standards of the Commission on Dental Accreditation.

Possess a Current Michigan dental therapy license without restrictions.

Experience

Preference given to professionals who have 2-4 years of experience as a Dental Therapist, or an equivalent combination of education and experience sufficient to successfully perform the essential duties of the job listed above.

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
  • 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.

Key Responsibilities

Provide direct dental care and treatment in collaboration with a supervising dentist to promote oral health and prevent disease. Supervise dental assistants and hygienists while adhering to organizational policies and licensing standards.

Requirements

Must have completed a CODA-standard dental therapy program and hold a current, unrestricted Michigan dental therapy license. Preference is given to candidates with 2-4 years of experience as a Dental Therapist.

Qualifications

Education
Professional certificate or licensure
Experience
2+ years of experience

Certifications

BLS

Key Skills

Dental TreatmentProfessional Communication

Work-Life Balance Analysis

WeekdayDoc's proprietary algorithm rates Dental Therapist at Cherry Health a 7.2 out of 10 for work-life balance — classified as very good. This places the position in the top 25% in Mental Health Therapy (Counseling) — ranked against 7,736 active Mental Health Therapy (Counseling) listings on WeekdayDoc.

Counselor Career Context

Of the 50 active Mental Health Therapy listings this role was benchmarked against, 28% are remote, 34% have no call, 68% require no weekends.

Mental Health Therapy pay on WeekdayDoc is up 2.5% vs. the prior quarter (through Aug 2026).

The cost-of-living index for Michigan is 96.2 (US average = 100; BEA Regional Price Parities (2024)). 61.8% of Michigan clinicians report burnout symptoms in WeekdayDoc's Burnout Index (2026-01 data).

Top Counselor Jobs

40 matches · ranked by pay

Salary Distribution40 jobs · 32 employers

18
<$70k
7
$70k-85k
9
$85k-100k
6
$100k-115k

Annual compensation range

Benefits & Perks35 jobs · 32 employers

401k / retirement match
86% this job
CME allowance
40%
Loan repayment
31% this job
PSLF eligible
31% this job
Sign-on bonus
29%

Share of similar jobs offering each benefit

#1

Licensed Professional Counselor

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$30-$55/hr
#2

Child and Adolescent Outpatient Licensed Therapist LCSW LMFT LPC LMSW

LifeStance Health · Fenton, Michigan

$90k-$114k
#3

All ages Outpatient Licensed Therapist LCSW LMFT LPC LMSW

$90k-$114k
#4

Licensed Mental Health Therapist (LMFT, LPCC, LPP, LCSW)

$100k-$110k
+ 38 more · ranked by pay

Work-life snapshot

7.2/ 10
Listing-based score

Top 25% in Mental Health Therapy (Counseling)

Living in Grand Rapids

Typical 3-bedroom home value
$308k
Typical market rent
$1,580/mo
Residents’ average commute
19 min
State income tax
Up to 4.3%
Sources & methodology

Sources: Zillow home values (Aug 2026), Zillow market rents (Aug 2026), U.S. Census ACS 2024 five-year.

City-level figures. Not a cost-of-living guarantee.

Cherry Health logo

About Cherry Health

Hospitals and Health Care
Grand Rapids, Michigan
201-500 employees

Benefits & Perks

Loan Repayment (NHSC & Michigan State)
Medical Insurance
Dental Insurance
Vision Insurance
4 Weeks PTO
8 Paid Holidays
2 Half-Day Holidays
403(b) with 5% Match