Dentaltown September 2022 - 27

message board
dr m
Member Since: 02/21/06
Post: 5 of 81
Our offi ce is in the Midwest and does 30% of collections. The offi ce pays all lab bills (except
ortho and removable, where the associate pays 30%). Paid as an employee, not an independent
contractor. No real benefi ts for PT. FT associates get CE and professional licenses/dues paid,
and a simple IRA match. No paid time off. Essentially, we all eat what we kill. Minimum
guarantee of $500 for an eight-hour day. This is totally standard for our city. Associates should
not be earning just the minimum, except for the fi rst month or so when collections catch up. We
give our associates a lot of autonomy with how they want to work.
The reason we do collections and not production is that when we did it the other way, things
would get walked out without the appropriate fee schedule attached or associates would start
same-day treatment without payment arrangements being made before treatment.
The great debate is always about what the " average associate " is making or supposed to
be making. Just like the " average owner, " there is a huge discrepancy, and usually it goes back
to what's being produced and how effi ciently. Some associates want to work as a one-column
doctor and supervise only one hygienist. That is OK, but they can't expect to earn what someone
supervising three hygienists with two doctor chairs is going to make. (Our state allows expandedfunction
assistants.)
You have to be careful on DT, because people are from all over the country and there's a
huge range of what is normal for each area. You're probably better off asking a practice broker or
dental CPA in your area what they're seeing as " normal. " The other question is: Are you happy
where you are, or is it time to buy your own practice? (Don't underestimate the headache that
goes with this option, but fi nancially you'll almost always make more.) ■
1/31/2017
OState
Member Since: 10/20/13
Post: 7 of 81
I've associated for 2½ years in a private offi ce for three days a week. I get paid 30% collections
and pay no lab fees, but don't receive any benefi ts like health, CE or 401(k). As mentioned
before, if you're going to be paid collections, you must make sure the offi ce has a good history
of high collections.
I also associate for a corporate offi ce a couple of days I'm not in the private offi ce. I see mostly
Medicaid patients at this offi ce and receive a daily rate ($700/day). The daily rate is nice in an
offi ce where the patient base is unreliable; lots of DT surfi ng time available. ■
1/31/2017
jsk070
Member Since: 10/03/13
Post: 8 of 81
B111
Member Since: 03/22/00
Post: 14 of 81
I've worked from 23% collections to 32% production to 30% production. Production always
trumps collections. Most places around me pay 30%-32% production. ■
I paid an associate with fi ve years of experience $600/day minimum with 35% net production
as an employee. That was too generous and it had to end.
As an employer, I would not be that blind again. Five years with one person is not the same
as fi ve years with another. Experience, education and talent vary greatly among people. I would
ask for a " show me " -type contract where the percentage increases every six months until an
agreed-upon point where one either becomes a partner or is shown the door. ■
2/1/2017
Share your experience as an associate!
Scan the QR code here to read and share insights on the salary range
for associate dentists in your practice or area. Remember, Dentaltown's
message boards are open only to verifi ed members, so you can trust
that the answers you read come from other Townies like you!
28 SEPTEMBER 2022 // dentaltown.com
1/31/2017

http://www.dentaltown.com

Dentaltown September 2022

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Dentaltown September 2022