Associateship questions

[Decan]

---

Members don't see this ad.

Hey everyone,

I have a couple of interviews lined up for associateships in the next couple of weeks. One is for a part time gig an the other is full time. I know that I need to ask questions regarding method of compensation, termination, benefits, hours, and so on, but what else do I need to know before we draw up a contract? Also, what kinds of questions do I need to ask in order to figure out if the practice is even ready for an associate? What is normal as far as compensation (production or collection)? And what % is acceptable? Any help would be greatly appreciated. I feel really lost when it comes to this stuff.

 

[peg lateral]

http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showthread.php?t=873086

Good luck!!!

 

[Decan]

Thank you! That post helps a lot. Anyone else?

 

[djeffreyt]

In my opinion,
If you are paid on production, you should get between 20-25%
If you are paid on collections, you should get 25-30%

Ask to see how many new patients they have a month and if there is a method for the equal distribution of those patients.

Ask if you are being hired as an employee or as an independent contractor.

Ask if you will have to pay for your lab fees, a portion of your lab fees, or not at all. Also find out what lab they use and if you can use a different lab. Some labs can be horrible and if you have to pay lab fees, you don't want one that you don't like

Check out the equipment. You don't want to be surprised that you are working with materials or equipment you don't like. Can you order some stuff for yourself to use at the practice? Check out their endo system? do you feel comfortable learning and using it? Take a look at some radiographs...do they come out ok?

I've worked for a bunch of places now and I'm much more careful about what I choose to work at. If I have to spend 40 hours a week every week at a place, the last thing I want to do is spend it working in equipment I can't stand, a lab I don't like dealing with, and materials I have to "make work"

Find out about treatment philosophy. If you are going to be taking over some of the patients you don't want to be way more conservative or way more aggressive than the owner dentist. Some dentists don't believe in class II fillings and will only treatment plan inlays. Others think you can do a class II composite that cover 75% of the tooth and goes three MM subgingival and will still work fine.

That;s all I can think of right now. Good Luck

 

[OhioDMD]

As far as my associate, his compensation is 30% of adjusted production less 30% any lab fees incurred by him. Guaranteed $450 minimum for an 8hr day for the first 6 months. He is an employee and not an independent contractor for tax purposes. Our office averages 30 new patients a month. All are directed his way unless they specifically request me. Any hygiene checks he does gets credited to his production regardless of treating doctor. Regarding endo I do EDS he does rotary, fortunately he had a hand piece, I purchased the reamers and files he was comfortable with. I pay a portion of his health insurance and since he was a new grad I picked up 1/2 of his malpractice, drug and dental liscence fees and his association dues .

In my situation I was looking for an associate to maintain the quality and value of my practice while I
transition from full-time to retirement. Will he replace me ? Who knows? I do have an 18mo 25 mile noncompete clause (enforceable in my area) if we part ways. Good luck in your career and try to profit personally and professionally from each experience you have.

 

[peg lateral]

As far as my associate, his compensation is 30% of adjusted production less 30% any lab fees incurred by him. Guaranteed $450 minimum for an 8hr day for the first 6 months. He is an employee and not an independent contractor for tax purposes. Our office averages 30 new patients a month. All are directed his way unless they specifically request me. Any hygiene checks he does gets credited to his production regardless of treating doctor. Regarding endo I do EDS he does rotary, fortunately he had a hand piece, I purchased the reamers and files he was comfortable with. I pay a portion of his health insurance and since he was a new grad I picked up 1/2 of his malpractice, drug and dental liscence fees and his association dues .

In my situation I was looking for an associate to maintain the quality and value of my practice while I
transition from full-time to retirement. Will he replace me ? Who knows? I do have an 18mo 25 mile noncompete clause (enforceable in my area) if we part ways. Good luck in your career and try to profit personally and professionally from each experience you have.

Sounds like a pretty good gig minus the restrictive covenant. I guess it depends on where you live, but 25 miles doesn't hold up in court a lot of places.

 

[Dgeorg6]

My dentist's associate makes $600 a day or %33 of production that day.. Whichever is more

 

[TammyDMD]

Let me know how this goes. I'll be going down this path same time next year! I can't wait to graduate 🙂

 

[Decan]

Wow, a big thank you to everyone who replied! This has been really helpful. I had an interview last week where the dentist used the work "probably" a lot (such as, I can probably give you x new patients per month), which was a big red flag for me. In addition, his equipment is really old and he does not plan on changing that anytime soon. I don't think I'll be going back.

Interview #2 is tomorrow. If anyone has anything else to add, please feel free to do so! I didn't think to ask some of these questions (especially about the lab fees) and will definitely ask them tomorrow.

 

[Decan]

I had the interview today and I thought it went very well. It would be a part time associateship with 12-6 on Tuesday and Wednesday and a full 8 hour shift on Friday. He offered 30% production, has on average 40-45 new patients/month, offered to pay my license fees, and I will not be responsible for any lab costs (he has a CEREC anyway but if something was to go out to a lab I wouldn't be responsible for the lab charges). He wanted to talk to his staff before we discussed this because he wanted to know what kind of hours they wanted to put in. I'm taking him out to lunch in January so we can discuss responsibilities, new patient load, etc.. So far, sounds like a good deal but I'll be glad to see it on paper soon. 🙂