well, since no one else is answering, I'll talk...
But the problem is your question has way to many variables to get a good answer. Like,
Are you applying mostly to FFS offices, PPO offices, Medicaid offices, HMO offices, or a mix of them?
Are you applying to corporate dental practices, large group practices, small dentist owned group practices, cottage private practices?
What state, and even better yet, what city are you applying in?
Do the majority of the jobs you apply to say new grad welcome? or are most asking for some experience and you are trying anyway?
All of these will greatly differ in how quickly you get responses, if you get responses, and if you get offers. It will also effect what the hiring process is like:
For example, a lot of medicaid and HMO large group and corporate practices will hire with just an interview, some just a phone interview. On the other hand a lot of private practices will want a phone or in person interview and a working interview where you work with patients all day or for several days before they decide to hire you. Some corporate groups will have mock patient visits that you have to do with regional managers and owners watching you. A lot of FFS private practices in high end areas wouldn't give a new grad a second look, while medicaid practices thrive off new grad applications and will contact you within a day.
personally, I work in Dallas.
I came here after dental school and applied to three jobs (two PPO and FFS offices - one that was a large group of practices, another that was a small group, and one corporate office). I got interviewed for all three, offered jobs at two, and chose the FFS/PPO large group practice. Worked for a year there. All this took about two weeks.
one year later I quit that job and went looking again, it was easier with just that one years experience. Applied to 3 jobs, got offers from all three, didn't like one of the offers and struggled with deciding on the last two. Chose a FFS/PPO private cottage practice. Worked there for two months and got a call from a friend with another job offer and took him up on it.
But again, that's texas for you, different places, way different experiences.
