Full-Time
Dental Assistant
Cherry Tree Dental
51-200 employees
Supports dental practice transitions and operations
Compensation Overview
$22/hr
Winfield, IL, USA
In Person
Certification
 Medical, Clinical & Veterinary (2) |
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- A high school diploma or equivalent is required.
- Previous experience as a Dental Assistant with front-desk and insurance knowledge is required.
- Spanish-English bilingual skills are required.
- Previous customer service or office experience is required.
- Proficiency in, or the ability to become proficient within 90 days in, dental terminology and dental software for charting, treatment planning, and clinical notes is required.
- Strong verbal and written communication skills are required.
- Prepare, sterilize, disinfect, and maintain dental equipment, instruments, and supplies.
- Collect and record patient health histories and X-rays.
- Ensure patient comfort during dental procedures.
- Complete charting of treatment information in patients' dental notes as directed by the doctor.
- Assist the doctor in managing medical and dental emergencies.
- Deliver postoperative and general oral care instructions to patients.
- Maintain infection control procedures, patient privacy, and professional interactions with patients and staff.
- Assist the administrative team with customer service functions.
- Greet and welcome patients in a warm, positive, and professional manner.
- Handle patient records confidentially and respectfully while adhering to HIPAA privacy standards.
- Answer phones courteously, relay messages accurately, and respond to patient voicemails, emails, and texts.
- Provide clear instructions, directions, and thorough answers to patient questions.
- Schedule patient appointments and maintain an organized daily schedule.
- Create and manage new patient accounts in the practice management system.
- Verify patient insurance coverage and benefits.
- Coordinate communication and workflow between front-office and clinical staff.
- Manage unscheduled treatment plans and recall lists.
- Place appointment reminder calls, texts, or emails.
- Maintain a clean, welcoming, and organized front reception area.
- Assist in coordinating temporary staffing coverage as needed.
- Review treatment plans with patients and explain treatment and payment options.
- Completion of an accredited Dental Assisting Program or dental assistant experience is preferred but not required.
- A positive attitude and ability to work collaboratively with the team are preferred.
Cherry Tree Dental provides support services to dental professionals who are transitioning into practice ownership or starting their careers. It partners with individual dentists and private practices to handle administrative tasks, marketing, and patient management systems, letting clinicians focus on patient care. The model blends the advantages of group dentistry with the autonomy of private practice, delivering tools and services without a rigid corporate structure. This includes options for career changes, early-career dentists, and specialists like implantology. The goal is to improve practice efficiency and profitability by removing non-clinical burdens, helping dentists establish and grow successful private practices while maintaining clinical independence.
Company Size
51-200
Company Stage
Debt Financing
Total Funding
$400K
Headquarters
Madison, Wisconsin
Founded
2006
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Simplify's Take
What believers are saying
- Owens Family Dentistry joined Cherry Tree in July 2026, showing continued consolidation.
- Cherry Tree served roughly 80,000 patients across nearly 30 offices in 2026.
- Delta Dental says the deal stabilizes access and funds Midwest expansion.
What critics are saying
- ADA and Wisconsin Dental Association flagged conflicts of interest in July-November 2025.
- OCI review keeps regulatory uncertainty alive, threatening reputational damage through 2026.
- If payer control tightens treatment choices, dentists leave and Cherry Tree loses trust.
What makes Cherry Tree Dental unique
- Delta Dental of Wisconsin kept Cherry Tree separate after June 30, 2025 acquisition.
- Cherry Tree still runs clinics across Wisconsin, Illinois, Michigan, and Minnesota.
- Its model blends multi-state scale with local ownership rhetoric and separate leadership.
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Benefits
Health Insurance
Dental Insurance
Vision Insurance
Life Insurance
Disability Insurance
Health Savings Account/Flexible Spending Account
Paid Holidays
Paid Vacation
Parental Leave
Student Loan Assistance
Professional Development Budget
Conference Attendance Budget
Employee Referral Bonus
Wellness Program
Mental Health Support
Home Office Stipend
Phone/Internet Stipend
Training Programs
Tuition Reimbursement
Professional Certification Support
Mentorship Program
Career Development Budget
Adoption Assistance
Family Planning Benefits
Fertility Treatment Support
Equity/RSUs
Stock Options
Company Equity
Remote Work Options
Flexible Work Hours
Hybrid Work Options
401(k) Retirement Plan
401(k) Company Match
Wellness Program
Gym Membership
Growth & Insights and Company News
6 month growth
↑ 3%1 year growth
↑ 3%2 year growth
↑ 3%Insurer's proposed acquisition of dental practices raises serious conflict of interest and patient care concerns. Whatever shortcomings and deficiencies there may be in the dynamic between dental practices and insurance companies, their distinct roles in patient care are not among them. While dentists certainly want to maximize reimbursements for the services they provide, they are not beholden to insurers and remain in a position to advocate for their patients and challenge an insurer's cost-related decisions without fear of retribution. But a recent unprecedented move by Delta Dental in Wisconsin threatens to upend this relationship model and has raised serious concerns among industry groups, patient advocates, and regulators about conflicts of interest, competition, and provider independence. Over the summer, Delta Dental announced that it had acquired Cherry Tree Dental, which owns and operates 31 clinics, 25 of which are in Wisconsin. The American Dental Association (ADA) is among several organizations that have vocally opposed the transaction. As the ADA wrote shortly after the deal was announced: When an insurance company becomes both health care provider and insurance payer, questions arise regarding potential conflict of interest. From a business standpoint, dental insurance companies seek to minimize cost and maximize profit. As a result, patients may find their treatment options limited to what is most cost-effective for the insurer, not necessarily what is most effective for their oral health. The ADA believes that the health interests of patients are best protected when dental practices and other private facilities for the delivery of dental care are owned and controlled by a dentist licensed in the jurisdiction where the practice is located. In November, the ADA filed a letter with the Wisconsin Office of the Commissioner of Insurance expanding on its concerns and opposition, including worries about provider independence in making care decisions: Direct ownership by Delta Dental could compromise dentists' ability to advocate for patients. In traditional arrangements, dentists can appeal plan decisions regarding patient care or choose to leave a network if plan policies are overly restrictive. However, the ADA warned that when dentists are employed by the payer, challenging cost-related decisions could label them as "problem employees," potentially discouraging proper patient care. The potentially anti-competitive effects of such arrangements were also raised by the ADA, which noted that "Delta Dental's acquisition could influence agreements, business practices, and fee schedules between Cherry Tree and other payers, potentially creating unfair competition." In addition to the ADA, the acquisition has drawn concerns from the Wisconsin Dental Association, the American Economic Liberties Project, and the Alliance of Independent Dentists. The fallout of this acquisition, if consummated, could ripple through other markets, potentially leading to a seismic shift in the provider-insurer landscape. Ddslawyers will continue to monitor developments and provide updates as warranted. At Grogan Hesse & Uditsky, P.C., Ddslawyers focus a substantial part of its practice on providing exceptional legal services for dentists and dental practices, as well as orthodontists, periodontists, endodontists, pediatric dentists, and oral surgeons. Ddslawyers bring unique insights and deep commitment to protecting the interests of dental professionals and their practices and welcome the opportunity to work with you. Please call Ddslawyers at (630) 833-5533 or contact Ddslawyers online to arrange for your free initial consultation. Jordan Uditsky, an accomplished businessman and seasoned attorney, combines his experience as a legal counselor and successful entrepreneur to advise dentists and other business owners in the Chicago area. Jordan grew up in a dental family, with his father, grandfather, and sister each owning their own dental practices. This blend of legal, business, and personal experience provides Jordan with unique insight into his clients' needs, concerns, and goals.
Delta Dental of Wisconsin acquired Cherry Tree Dental about three weeks ago.
The American Dental Association (ADA) has expressed concerns over Delta Dental of Wisconsin's acquisition of Cherry Tree Dental, fearing it may compromise patient care and dentist autonomy. The ADA warns that the insurer's dual role as payer and provider could limit treatment options to cost-effective measures rather than optimal oral health solutions. The ADA is reviewing the legal implications and emphasizes the importance of preserving dentists' clinical independence.
Cherry Tree Dental, which is backed by ICV Partners, has made three Minnesota-based acquisitions: Downtown Dental Associates, Robert J. Kingston, DDS and Fairmont Family Dentistry.