Advice on First Associate Contract at Private Clinic – What Should I Ask For?

[DrBigTooth]

---

Members don't see this ad.

Hey everyone,
I’m a new grad and just had an interview with a private clinic owner who’s looking to bring someone on long-term. The practice has 4 chairs and is currently a bit barebones, but he’s slowly implementing new technology. He owns multiple practices and wants someone to eventually run this one more independently so he can focus on his other locations.

Here’s what we’ve discussed so far:
• Compensation: He wants it to be 35% of collections
• Lab Fees: I’d be responsible for 35%
• No daily guarantee yet: I was hoping for a $900 daily minimum, especially since the office is an hour away from where I live.
• New Grad: I’m fresh out of school, so I want to make sure I’m setting myself up well long-term—both professionally and financially.

There are some things I’m unfamiliar with and would love insight on:
• Should I be discussing benefits like health insurance, dental, CE allowance, malpractice, 401k match, etc. now?
• What’s the standard or expected structure for someone in my position (new grad, small but growing private clinic, potential for autonomy)?
• Are there any red flags I should look out for when someone says “let me know how you feel” instead of offering a more structured proposal?
• What kind of non-compete clauses or buy-in opportunities should I be thinking about if this is meant to be a long-term setup?

Really appreciate any advice from associates, owners, or anyone who’s been through this process. I want to be fair but also smart about securing my future and building assets early.

Thanks in advance!

 

[Saddleshoes]

Know how to get out, if it doesn't work out.
---Many of the contracts young dentist are signing these days are indentured servitude due to the terms under which an employee must meet to resign.

 

[Pablo Sanchez]

Definitely get a daily minimum in there. You want him to be motivated to get you patients. It sounds like it is a small and slow office at the moment. You dont want to be making 35% of no production. Having a daily minimum will put pressure on him to fill your schedule, otherwise he will be losing money.

The benefits are all just extra. A 401k with a match is nice, CE allowance is nice, I doubt you’ll get health insurance unless it is a DSO. I wouldn’t make any decisions based off of the benefits though.

If making money is your goal, this office probably isn’t ideal because it seems slow. But the structure itself isn’t bad. Just make sure you get some sort of guarantee.

 

[schmoob]

I don’t know man, I see some red flags. A lot of docs say you get autonomy but really it’s the OM who is reporting anything “wrong” to the owner.

As mentioned earlier you need to be able to get out of the contract. If you are offered a bonus to stay for 1-2 years I would not take it because to me it’s a red flag.

You know more than I do about this deal so I’m just giving blanket advice that may or may not pertain to you.

As a new grad you will work lots of places, corporate, private, etc. and that’s okay. I got a buttload of endo CE at Heartland. Just don’t get locked into a place where you may or may not eventually want to get out of.