Now that you have graduated from dental school, you are ready to take the next step in your career. For many new professionals, that means that you will start looking for a dental associate position. Finding the right associate position can be tough. You can use this quick guide to get the process started.
According to the American Dental Association, over half of all associateships fail. They do not work out for a variety of reasons. Perhaps the practice was not really ready to take on associate, or the associate’s goals and the practice’s goals were not the same.
As a new graduate who is considering what to do after dental school, you need to sit down and think about what you really want out of your associate position. For example, some associates want a practice that is a 9 to 5 job and nothing more. Others want to be sure that their associateship is a steppingstone to owning their own practice, whether it is the practice they are joining or another practice.
Take the time to determine what you want out of your dental career. If the thought of owning your own practice is not something that interests you at all, your associateship search is going to look different compared to someone who wants to take over the practice they are joining in a few years.
Under either type of associate employment arrangement, you may need to help with a dental associate contract review, which can contain non-compete language and other terms that you may need to consider as part of your long-term career goals. Understanding that you will face dental associateship contracts no matter what type of practice you join can help you prepare for the interaction you just have with a future employer.
You should be realistic about your needs. You likely have student loans that you need to pay and expenses you need to address. Be sure that any new position you are considering takes those realities into account. Dental associate compensation will vary a great deal based on your goals for the associateship.
Finding the right dental associate position after graduation is a huge decision that will affect the rest of your career. As you consider your options, you may wonder where you should be looking for opportunities. Below are just a few suggestions for finding a dental associateship that fits your needs.
Word of mouth referrals are still the best way that many practices get patients. You can use the same method to find a dental associateship. Ask friends who are current dentists, perhaps those who graduated a year or two ahead of you, how they found their associateship. If they like their position and that practice is still looking to expand, you might want to get the “inside scoop” about how they feel about their current practice after being a year or two into it.
If you have connections with other dentists (even if they did not go to school with you), you may want to consider reaching out to them as well. Although they might not have an opening for an associate, they might know other dentists who are looking for someone to join their team.
You might even want to reach out to friends from undergrad who may be located in the part of the country where you want to end up. They might have suggestions for dentists you can contact, even if it is just to take them out to coffee to ask questions about the dental environment in that area.
Some dental practices will use social media to advertise for positions. Although this practice is seen more often in larger practices or dental offices with several locations (including dental support organizations or DSOs), it can be a good resource. This is especially true if your goal is not ownership but just an associate position for the foreseeable future.
If you know that a local dental practice is hosting a social event or sponsoring a continuing education presentation, consider attending. You can learn more about the practice this way, and you can get valuable information to market yourself. You also get the opportunity to network with other community members, which can be helpful to further your long-term goal of building your practice.
Professional organizations often have resources to help you find associateships. For example, the American Dental Association has resources on its website that can pair you with a mentor and suggest opportunities that fit your long-term career goals. Taking advantage of these resources can give you specific opportunities or it can help you make connections to find additional opportunities as well.
Many schools have career services departments that help dental students make connections with potential employers. Talk to your career counselor about opportunities or information they might have to point you in the right direction.
There are quite a few job boards and hiring websites that can be helpful in your search. Some are tailored to all job seekers, while others have services specifically targeted at new dentists or dental professionals who want to make a career change.
Below are just a few options that you might want to explore.
Be sure to research any potential position before you reach out using these resources.
You can also work with a recruiter or headhunter to help you find a practice interested in hiring a new associate. While these services are sometimes costly for the dentist looking to hire, they usually do not cost the new associate anything.
As a new associate, you may have to work through an associate contract once you land a position and no one has a more extensive background working with employment contracts than us. The dental attorney team at Dental and Medical Counsel works with dental practices so we understand your needs. Contact us to set up a complimentary consultation with attorney Ali Oromchian.
At Dental & Medical Counsel, PC, we understand dentists have trouble navigating the legal process. We believe every dentist deserves the best advice and service so doctors can do what they do best, treat their patients. We make dentists' lives easier by providing expert guidance, so they can focus on their personal and professional aspirations.
Stay updated with industry news!
