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Don’t Settle! by Dr. Suzanne Ebert

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Categories: Practice Management, HR and Accounting;
Don’t Settle!

Find the right first dental job for you

by Dr. Suzanne Ebert

After four years of dental school, you may feel like your student loans are pressuring you to jump on the first opportunity. Be aware that this strategy can lead to frustration and disillusionment, particularly if that practice isn’t the right fit for you.

You’ve invested so much to get this far that it’s worth taking the time to thoughtfully consider your preferences, goals and next steps. Here’s how you can start your career in a role that keeps you challenged, engaged and satisfied.


Explore all your options
Don’t feel obligated to accept the first job that makes you an offer. Nor do you have to follow the same path as your friends. While many new grads head straight for associateships, think about:
  • What practice size you prefer.
  • Whether you prefer to collaborate closely or work more independently.
  • If you want to be involved with the business side of dentistry.
  • Any additional skills you want to develop.
Do you want to own your own practice some day? If so, look for a practice that will let you learn how to run a business—or better yet, a practice owner who plans to retire within the next few years and is eager to mentor a successor.

Student debt will generally not prevent you from taking out a practice loan, because banks see dental practices as stable investments. The key is to demonstrate that you can responsibly manage your own finances on a monthly basis. Your options go beyond traditional practice. Federal or military dentistry (including working for the Department of Veterans Affairs or a federally qualified health center) can provide fantastic experience without the pressure to produce, and many offer generous loan repayment programs.

You may also explore academia, corporate research or other avenues. And remember that what you pick now doesn’t have to be your “forever” job. Dentistry lets you apply your accumulated experience in ever-changing ways throughout your career.

If you’re unsure about your future path, that’s OK! However, strive to keep your options open. Live within your means and don’t rush to purchase a home. This gives you flexibility if the perfect opportunity turns out to be across the country.


Ask lots of questions
Interviewing is a two-way street, so don’t be shy about asking questions. Use the interview process to make sure the practice will support your goals. Remember, you and your potential boss ultimately want the same thing: a successful transition.

During the interview, ask questions to determine whether you can meet the practice’s expectations, such as:
  • Why are you bringing on a new dentist? Why now?
  • As a new grad, what procedures do you expect me to be proficient in from Day 1?
  • What is the overall pace of the office; will I be able to maintain it?
  • How will I get paid: straight salary, or a percentage of production or collections?
  • Are there opportunities for me to learn new skills? Will the practice help me to obtain the necessary training?
  • What’s your long-term plan? Will the office expand, or are you preparing for retirement?
  • Are you willing to mentor? Will you pay for CE, professional dues or other costs?

Shadow potential practices
The best way to see if you fit into a practice is to shadow the owner at least three times while the practice is open. Visiting on multiple occasions will give you a clearer picture of how the practice actually functions. After all, everyone’s on their very best behavior during the first meeting.

Watch how the senior dentist works and how they interact with staff and patients. Observe how the office flows and feels. Do patients spend a long time in the waiting room, or are they taken back quickly to an operatory? Are they chatting with the staff, or is it all business? Do you like the energy—or do you feel overstimulated or sleepy?

Review a few cases together and look at before-and-after radiographs and photos. Take the time to discuss the treatment plan and outcomes. While your methods may vary, make sure you can respect the other doctor’s work, communicate on a professional level and share a similar standard of care.


Read—and understand— your contract
Carefully review and understand your employment contract. It’s worth hiring a lawyer for a couple of hours to ensure you know what you’re signing. Never sign anything you can’t live with! Pay attention to how you’ll be paid. You could earn a straight salary (particularly in public health, academia or government agencies), or you might take home a percentage of total productivity, total billables or total collections. The differences can be significant, so make sure you understand how your pay will be calculated! If you will be paid based on collections, ask about the practice’s collection rates and policies.

Next, think about what’s most important to you and weigh your priorities against the practice’s needs. Consider schedule flexibility, time and funds for CE, or using certain labs or materials.

Look at any restrictive covenants or noncompete clauses. You don’t want to limit your options for your next job before starting your first job. A 10-mile radius clause might be reasonable in a rural or suburban area where practices are farther apart, while a two-mile radius might be more reasonable in a busy urban area.

Finally, put everything in writing, particularly eventual equity or buyout terms. Even if you’re planning to work with a family member, developing and agreeing to a contract will prompt important conversations about your expectations. And if something happens later, you’ll be thankful you documented your intentions and terms.


Build an integration plan
Once you’ve found your ideal situation, set yourself up for success by building an integration plan with your new boss. This plan should include all the details to ensure you can be productive (and paid) from your first day.

Your plan should answer:
  • What needs to happen so you will be licensed and credentialed from Day 1?
  • Which supplies will need to be ordered?
  • How will existing patients be shared? What about treatments in progress?
  • Will you need to hire more staff?
  • Do you need training on systems, equipment or processes?
  • How and when will patients and local specialists be informed?

Listen to your gut
The first practice you interview with may be the perfect one. If it isn’t, never fear! It’s better to wait a bit for the perfect practice than to settle for something that is not quite right—and then feel you need to search again within a few years.

Look for a practice that shares your philosophy of care. If you like having a few minutes to chat with patients, you won’t be happy with a practice that values volume and efficiency over relationships.

Finally, listen to your inner voice. Did you connect with the owner and discover shared interests? Or did you find yourself thinking, “I’m not sure I want to work with this person every day”? Pay attention to those thoughts.

Author Bio
Dr. Suzanne Ebert Dr. Suzanne Ebert is a vice president at the American Dental Association, where they created and launched ADA Practice Transitions (adapracticetransitions.com), the ADA’s solution for dentists seeking to buy, sell, hire or join practices as associates. Ebert is a strong advocate for the profession and is passionate about providing dentists with the tools they need to make the decisions that are right for them.


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