Dentaltown March 2020 - 46

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Income Level Expectations
Listening to her peers has this new grad wondering what type of salary she should expect

multdds
Member Since: 01/05/16
Post: 1 of 207

I graduated recently and have been hearing all kinds of figures from my peers about how
much they are making. I'm wondering if their experiences are the norm. Some of my peers have
stated that they're making more than $300K a year before taxes as a DSO employee working 40
hours/week, seeing 15 patients/day. They're doing mostly restorative with a few crowns and a
few endo a week. Others have stated they're making over $400K a year before taxes working 32
hours a week as a partner (49% ownership) and seeing 120 patients a week, including hygiene.
None of these dentists is placing implants or doing ortho. They say they do not typically see
extensive cases like full-mouth rehabs. These individuals work in moderate- to large-sized cities.
Is their experience typical? Is seeing 120 patients in a 32-hour week reasonable? I am trying to
wrap my head around how all of these numbers add up. ■
12/28/2019

justaDentist
Member Since: 10/14/12
Post: 2 of 207

1. This income is entirely possible. You do a quad of MODs. While the EFDA is filling them,
you do a crown; while the assistant is making the temp, you start on another procedure.
Fun? I wouldn't say so. Possible? Yes.
2. The income is not the norm. I would say $100K-$200K is the norm, and the median
probably closer to $100K.
3. 120 patients including hygiene is a lot, but doable, I'm sure. Do your friends have EFDAs?
The key thing about seeing 120 patients and making $300K on production is not whether
it is possible but whether you personally enjoy that style, whether your body and mind can take
it, and whether it's what you enjoy doing. Dentistry is tough, and if you don't like the practice
model you're in, it's worse. Unless you plan on making $500K and saving it all for five years,
this is a marathon, not a sprint. Figure out what practice style you enjoy, work on making it as
profitable for you as you can, and don't compare yourself to others too much. ■
12/28/2019

BuckeyeState
Member Since: 07/01/15
Post: 5 of 207

I work with a lot of associates who become fi rst-time practice owners. A general dentist
earning $300,000 as an associate is extremely rare. I've maybe seen that like two or three
times. Those earning $300,000 may be happy continuing to associate, so I may not come in
contact with them as often.
My estimate would be that the average associate earns $150,000-$175,000. It's not uncommon to see someone earning $225,000, but anything over that I would consider unique. ■
12/28/2019

eeznogood
Member Since: 02/23/06
Post: 7 of 207

The guy making $400K at 32 hours per week is making $260 per hour. This is his cut.
Many dentists don't even gross that much. It's a reckless pace, especially for new grads. He's
either gifted with incredible skills-as well as a huge, never-ending patient pool who chose to
trust him from Day 1 and have a lot of money to give this green guy just because-or he's full
of it.
Either way, it is not the norm. $300K is also not the norm. (More doable, at 40 hours per
week, but still exceptional.) As a new grad who will still be unsure of what is decay, you have to
not care to go at that pace, or be exceptionally gifted. ■

12/28/2019

MARCH 2020 // dentaltown.com

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Dentaltown March 2020

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