Any general dentists with locum experience?

[Incis0r]

---

Members don't see this ad.

Hi there,

Have any general dentists on this board taken on locum tenens work? If so, I'd love to hear from you about your experience!

 

[Newgoalsdentdoc]

Hi there,

Have any general dentists on this board taken on locum tenens work? If so, I'd love to hear from you about your experience!

Absolutely. I have always had very positive experiences doing locum tenens work. Everyone has a different experience. In the past, I have enjoyed the freedom of working at various offices, not being tied to one place and having the flexibility to come and go as I need to. I have had assignments for as little as 30 days, to 6-9 months, to more than one year. It all depends on the need and where you go. It is important to make sure you are registered with a good locum tenens company. Somehow you can get benefits along the way and certain expenses are covered. Locum tenens work is great if you haven't quite decided where you want be because you are still able to work in your field without being tied down or committed to one place. Some locum tenens opportunities can become permanent over time. You can also take advantage of locum tenens work as a way to travel and see new places by accepting assignments in other states. It also gives you the opportunity to network and meet new people. Locum tenens work is all in what each individual makes of it and gets out of it.

 

[CanaDMD]

Absolutely. I have always had very positive experiences doing locum tenens work. Everyone has a different experience. In the past, I have enjoyed the freedom of working at various offices, not being tied to one place and having the flexibility to come and go as I need to. I have had assignments for as little as 30 days, to 6-9 months, to more than one year. It all depends on the need and where you go. It is important to make sure you are registered with a good locum tenens company. Somehow you can get benefits along the way and certain expenses are covered. Locum tenens work is great if you haven't quite decided where you want be because you are still able to work in your field without being tied down or committed to one place. Some locum tenens opportunities can become permanent over time. You can also take advantage of locum tenens work as a way to travel and see new places by accepting assignments in other states. It also gives you the opportunity to network and meet new people. Locum tenens work is all in what each individual makes of it and gets out of it.

Is locum tenens work usually more compensated than a normal associate at the clinic would be? I always wondered.

 

[Saddleshoes]

I did like going new places and meeting new people.

I did not like jumping into the middle of somebody else's treatment plan.
--Sometimes I did not agree with the treatment but I was stuck with completing it none the less.
--Sometimes I had to start over because I could figure out what was going on.
--Sometimes the materials and/or instruments were unknown to me.

 

[Marmalade]

Yes. I've temped at 4-5 places.. in almost 4 years with 2 companies.

I.e. Don't depend on it.

The work is easy as the DDS typically doesn't want you doing anything much on their patients. It's interesting to see - and to some extent - work in other offices.

The pay is typically ok. I think it was around $85/hour.

Just don't count on it as income.

PD

 

[Hedgy]

I was a locum for about 3 months working 2-3 days/week for a dentist who had major heart surgery. This was about 8-9 years ago. The staff and patients were very appreciative. I was paid at 30% production. Make sure you have a well written contract.

I'm going to help another sick doc (240 miles away). He's paying my travel expenses and again 30% production.

 

[Incis0r]

Thank you everyone for the responses!

One follow-up question for you:
Is it easy to incorporate as a S-Corp or LLC/be an independent contractor and open up a SEP-IRA or a solo-401(k) if one decides to go the Locum Tenens route, or do IRS guidelines force you to be classified as an employee?

 

[Hedgy]

Thank you everyone for the responses!

One follow-up question for you:
Is it easy to incorporate as a S-Corp or LLC/be an independent contractor and open up a SEP-IRA or a solo-401(k) if one decides to go the Locum Tenens route, or do IRS guidelines force you to be classified as an employee?

I will get a 1099 from them. So I file as income, pay taxes, and can contribute to my 401k under my own LLC.

 

[Incis0r]

I will get a 1099 from them. So I file as income, pay taxes, and can contribute to my 401k under my own LLC.

Excellent- this is exactly what I was looking for, thank you!