Home Blog Dental Employment Contract Negotiation: Compensation, Termination, Non-Compete

Dental Employment Contract Negotiation: Compensation, Termination, Non-Compete

This page explains dental employment contract negotiation, its termination and clauses, and how lawyers from ContractsCounsel can help you negotiate your contract.

Jump to Section

A dental employment contract is a document that explains the working relationship between a dentist and their employer. It includes important information about various aspects of the relationship, such as roles, compensation, and termination.

Negotiating your dental employment contract is important to do before you agree to the terms. As a healthcare professional, you want to confirm that all terms in the contract are aligned with your needs and requirements, while being fair and reasonable.

Read the rest of this article to learn about what’s usually included in a dental employment contract, the most effective ways to negotiate a dental employment contract, and when you should consult with a lawyer for legal guidance.

What Should Be Included in a Dental Employment Contract?

A dental employment contract usually contains key terms such as the following:

  • Compensation. This specifies how compensation should be calculated, such as if it’s a fixed salary. It should include information about bonuses and benefits, such as life insurance and retirement plans.
  • Termination. It’s important for both parties to know how they can end the contract with and without cause, and how many days of notice need to be given. What happens after the contract ends should be noted, such as if paid time off is provided.
  • Non-compete clause. This restricts how, where, and for how long the dentist is allowed to work after they leave the practice.
  • Malpractice insurance. It’s essential to know exactly what this insurance covers and if the employer will provide it.
  • Scope of work. This outlines the dentist’s responsibilities, such as their clinical duties, patient care, and required admin.
  • Working hours. Days and times when the dentist is expected to work will be outlined.
  • Compliance. The contract should clearly define laws that need to be followed, such as all dental board regulations and HIPAA laws.
  • Expenses. There could be expenses that the dentist will have to cover, such as gaining licenses, travel costs for meetings, and others.

How Should You Negotiate Your Dental Employment Contract?

When reviewing your dental employment contract, check for any sections that don’t match your goals and aren’t fair to you so that you can negotiate them. Here’s what to look for.

Compensation

The salary and/or bonuses listed in the contract might not feel sufficient for the job role or your experience. Research salaries for dentist roles in your location to get an idea of whether or not the salary falls short. Check that the benefits mentioned in the contract are clearly defined.

Duties

The duties you’ll have in this job role should match your career goals so that you can grow in the position. You might want to negotiate work schedules or on-call duties.

Severance Pay

If there’s involuntary termination of the contract, you’ll want to ensure that you’ll be protected. It’s important to discuss severance pay with your employer, such as how it will be calculated and any continuation of benefits.

Non-compete

If you leave the company, you want to know that the contract’s non-compete clause isn’t too restrictive, such as by limiting your future work prospects. Consider the geographic scope and duration of the clause, and think about any exceptions to the clause that you’d like. For example, you might want to be able to work in a nearby town or start your own practice.

Malpractice Insurance

It’s a must to know who will pay for your malpractice insurance. It’s common for your employer to handle this, but you still should seek clarification if it’s not provided in the contract.

Performance Metrics

Your dental employment contract should contain transparent performance metrics. If it doesn't, this can create confusion over how success is evaluated, which is especially concerning if performance is tied to compensation.

Tips for Negotiating Dental Employment Contracts

When negotiating your dental employment contract, you should bear the following in mind.

  • Highlight your strengths. Communicate with your employer about your skills and expertise, as this will strengthen your negotiating power by showing your employer that you’ll bring value to the practice.
  • Understand what you want. Before negotiating with your employer, have clear expectations so that you know what’s negotiable and non-negotiable for you, based on your requirements.
  • Don’t think you can’t negotiate the contract. There’s no such thing as a standard contract. If you sign the contract without considering what you wish to negotiate, you’ll potentially miss out on a better outcome—or be unaware of potential risks.
  • Ensure you understand everything in the contract. Before you negotiate, ensure that you understand every term in the contract. If there’s vague or confusing language, get your contract reviewed by a lawyer.

Do You Need a Lawyer for Help with Dental Employment Contract Negotiations?

If you have clarity on the dental employment contract and know what you wish to negotiate, you might be able to negotiate the issues with your employer without legal assistance. However, if you’re dealing with a confusing contract or you’re unsure of how to navigate negotiations, you should connect with a lawyer.

Here’s how they can help you.

They’ll Review Your Contract

Lawyers are skilled at reviewing contracts so they can identify any vague or misleading terms, or potentially risky sections. Without a legal background, you might miss these and it could harm you later.

To request a review, post a project for free on ContractsCounsel marketplace, an online legal marketplace connecting clients with lawyers. All the lawyers are vetted on the platform.

Once you post your project on the , lawyers will send you bids and you can review the lawyers’ profiles based on factors such as their client ratings, experience, and credentials, to choose to work with the best one for your requirements.

They’ll Suggest Changes

By negotiating with your employer on your behalf, your lawyer will be able to suggest better terms that protect your interests and avoid any one-sided situations, such as by setting reasonable work schedules and fair compensation structures.

They’ll Keep You Legally Compliant

The dental employment contract needs to be aligned with all dental board and industry standards, as well as local labor laws to ensure it’s legally enforceable.

They’ll Avoid Mistakes

By negotiating on your behalf, your lawyer will prevent you from making mistakes that could potentially harm your reputation or make you miss out on benefits.

Where can you find a lawyer to negotiate a dental employment contract?

You should contact a lawyer on ContractsCounsel, as they’re experienced in reviewing and drafting dental employment contracts. They’ll ensure all terms are fair, reasonable, protect your rights, and give you peace of mind to pursue your professional goals.


ContractsCounsel is not a law firm, and this post should not be considered and does not contain legal advice. To ensure the information and advice in this post are correct, sufficient, and appropriate for your situation, please consult a licensed attorney. Also, using or accessing ContractsCounsel's site does not create an attorney-client relationship between you and ContractsCounsel.


How ContractsCounsel Works
Hiring a lawyer on ContractsCounsel is easy, transparent and affordable.
1. Post a Free Project
Complete our 4-step process to provide info on what you need done.
2. Get Bids to Review
Receive flat-fee bids from lawyers in our marketplace to compare.
3. Start Your Project
Securely pay to start working with the lawyer you select.

Meet some of our Lawyers

Alen A. on ContractsCounsel
View Alen
5.0 (13)
Member Since:
August 26, 2021

Alen A.

Attorney
Free Consultation
Los Angeles, CA
19 Yrs Experience
Licensed in CA
University of West Los Angeles

Alen Aydinian is a seasoned real estate attorney with a wealth of experience in handling transactional matters, real estate transactions, and lease agreements. As a licensed real estate broker, Alen Aydinian brings a unique perspective to the table, allowing clients to benefit from both legal expertise and practical industry knowledge. He is a trusted advisor in the realm of real estate transactions and lease agreements. Whether representing buyers, sellers, landlords, or tenants, Alen Aydinian is committed to providing strategic counsel and dedicated advocacy every step of the way. Clients rely on him for sound legal guidance, proactive problem-solving, and unwavering support throughout the transaction process.

Recent  ContractsCounsel Client  Review:
5.0

"I contracted Alen for a commercial lease review. I couldn't be happier with the results, as he exceeded my expectations. He completed the project 2 days ahead of the estimated timeframe, gave me high quality feedback, and suggested alternate language. We had a call at the end and he answered all of my questions in detail. Incredible value. I'm so happy I chose Alen, and I definitely recommend him to anyone else needing legal assistance."

Garrett M. on ContractsCounsel
View Garrett
5.0 (12)
Member Since:
August 30, 2021

Garrett M.

Attorney
Free Consultation
Dexter, MO
10 Yrs Experience
Licensed in MO, TX
University of Texas

I am a solo practitioner with a practice mostly consisting of serving as counsel to start-ups and small business owners and investors. With a practical business background, I aim to bring practical, business minded solutions to my client's legal problems and pride myself on efficient yet effective work.

Recent  ContractsCounsel Client  Review:
5.0

"Garrett was extremely professional, attentive, and adhered to the very tight deadlines we had set. I would like to highlight that, in addition to completing the task assigned to him, he took the initiative to research all parties involved in the contract to provide us with the best possible support. We are very satisfied and look forward to working with him again."

Billy Joe M. on ContractsCounsel
View Billy Joe
5.0 (3)
Member Since:
October 26, 2021

Billy Joe M.

Partner Attorney
Free Consultation
Chicago, IL
17 Yrs Experience
Licensed in IL
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

I graduated from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign in 2006 with a degree in Political Science, Finance, and Economics. I stayed around Champaign for law school and graduated in 2009. I then worked at a big law firm in downtown Chicago. It was boring, so I quit in early 2011. I thought that I could not be happy practicing law - I was wrong. After I quit the traditional law firm life, I began representing my own clients. I realize now that I love helping normal people, small business owners, and non-profits address a variety of legal issues. I hope to hear from you.

Recent  ContractsCounsel Client  Review:
5.0

"Billy Joe was great to work with on a demand letter related to a HOA dispute. He was understanding of my situation, thorough in communication, and worked with me through a complex situation. I'm not a lawyer and he was very personable, as well as responsive. Highly recommended!"

Phocus L. on ContractsCounsel
View Phocus
5.0 (1)
Member Since:
September 16, 2021

Phocus L.

Attorney
Free Consultation
Phoenix, AZ, USA
15 Yrs Experience
Licensed in AZ, CA
Georgetown University Law Center

G'day, my name is Michele! I work with startups, entrepreneurs and small/medium-sized businesses across the country in a wide array of industries. I help them with all of their ongoing, daily legal needs. This includes entity formation, M&A, contract drafting and review, employment, asset sale & acquisition, and business sales or shareholder exits. I'm half-Australian, half-Italian, and I've lived the last 20+ years of my life in America. I've lived all over the USA, completing high school in the deep south, graduating cum laude from Washington University in St. Louis, and then cum laude from Georgetown University Law Center. After law school I worked for the Los Angeles office of Latham & Watkins, LLP. After four intense and rewarding years there, I left to become General Counsel and VP of an incredible, industry-changing start-up called Urban Mining Company (UMC) that manufactures rare earth permanent magnets. I now work for Phocus Law where I help run our practice focused on entrepreneurs, startups, and SMEs. I love what I do, and I'd love to be of help! My focus is on providing stress-free, enjoyable, and high-quality legal service to all of my clients. Being a good lawyer isn't enough: the client experience should also be great. But work isn't everything, and I love my free time. I've been an avid traveler since my parents put me on a plane to Italy at 9-months old. I'm also a music nut, and am still looking for that perfect client that will engage me to explain why Dark Side Of The Moon is the greatest album of all time. Having grown up in a remote, and gorgeous corner of Australia, I feel a strong connection to nature, and love being in the elements.

Samuel R. on ContractsCounsel
View Samuel
5.0 (63)
Member Since:
October 2, 2021

Samuel R.

Attorney
Free Consultation
Phoenix - Arizona
7 Yrs Experience
Licensed in AZ, PA, UT
Widener University Delaware Law School

My career interests are to practice Transactional Corporate Law, including Business Start Up, as well as Real Estate Law, Estate Planning Law, and Intellectual Property Law. I am currently licensed in Arizona, Pennsylvania and Utah, after having moved to Phoenix from Philadelphia in September 2019. I currently serve as General Counsel for a bioengineering company. I handle everything from their Business Transactional Agreements, Private Placement Memorandums, and Corporate Structures to Intellectual Property Assignments, to Employment Law and Beach of Contract settlements. Responsibilities include writing and executing agreements, drafting court pleadings, court appearances, mergers and acquisitions, transactional documents, managing expert specialized legal counsel, legal research and anticipating unique legal issues that could impact the Company. Conducted an acquisition of an entire line of intellectual property from a competitor. In regards to other clients, I am primarily focused on transactional law for clients in a variety of industries including, but not limited to, real estate investment, property management, and e-commerce. Work is primarily centered around entity formation and corporate structure, corporate governance agreements, PPMs, opportunity zone tax incentives, and all kinds of business to business agreements. I have also recently gained experience with Estate Planning law, drafting numerous Estate Planning documents for people such as Wills, Powers of Attorney, Healthcare Directives, and Trusts. I was selected to the Super Lawyers Southwest Rising Stars list for 2024 - 2026. Each year no more than 2.5% of the attorneys in Arizona and New Mexico are selected to the Rising Stars. I am looking to further gain legal experience in these fields of law as well as expand my legal experience assisting business start ups, and also trademark registration and licensing.

Recent  ContractsCounsel Client  Review:
5.0

"Thanks Samuel for your thorough review of my materials. I'm incredibly impressed by your prompt turnaround in drafting my letter. The letter captured the facts perfectly and struck exactly the right tone."

David W. on ContractsCounsel
View David
4.8 (2)
Member Since:
September 27, 2021

David W.

Lawyer
Free Consultation
Wisconsin
10 Yrs Experience
Licensed in WI
Marquette Law School

The Law Office of David Watson, LLC provides comprehensive and individualized estate-planning services for all stages and phases of life. I listen to your goals and priorities and offer a range of estate-planning services, including trusts, wills, living wills, durable powers of attorney, and other plans to meet your goals. And for convenience and transparency, many estate-planning services are provided at a flat rate.

Recent  ContractsCounsel Client  Review:
4.7

"David quickly put in a bid and began work. He was very responsive to any questions I had."

Alex M. on ContractsCounsel
View Alex
Member Since:
August 26, 2021

Alex M.

Attorney
Free Consultation
Los Angeles, California
15 Yrs Experience
Licensed in CA
Southwestern Law School

Mr. Mehdipour attended the University of California San Diego where he received his degree in political science. After graduating from UCSD, Mr. Mehdipour attended Southwestern University School of Law where he received his JD. Upon passing the bar, Mr. Mehdipour gained invaluable experience both in a law firm and business setting. Mr. Mehdipour uses his prior business and legal experiences to negotiate the most advantageous results for his clients.

Nicholas A. on ContractsCounsel
View Nicholas
Member Since:
August 28, 2021

Nicholas A.

Founder, Victrix Legal LLC
Free Consultation
Buffalo, NY
5 Yrs Experience
Licensed in NY
Liberty University School of Law

I help small business owners build and protect their dreams. I always thought that I would just be a litigator. Then I joined an intellectual property clinic in law school. We were helping nonprofits and small businesses reach their goals. I fell in love with the work and decided to open my own firm so I could keep helping them. When I decided to start Victrix Legal, I decided that it would be a modern law firm designed to serve professionals. It would be different from every other law firm. In my experience, my law firms are designed to promote inefficiency and reactionary lawyering. Because in most firms, you make more money when you spend more time on a project. And you lose money if your client doesn't get sued. In my opinion, that's a built-in conflict of interest. My firm is different. I use flat fees for most basic projects to keep costs predictable for you and incentivize efficiency. I offer long-term advisory plans and legal audits to prevent issues from happening. I want my clients to see me as their business partner, not just the guy they call when they are in trouble. If any of that interests you, please reach out to me. I offer free consultations. Let's set aside some time and talk about what your legal needs are.

Gerald W. on ContractsCounsel
View Gerald
Member Since:
August 28, 2021

Gerald W.

Attorney
Free Consultation
Round Rock, Texas
12 Yrs Experience
Licensed in IL, TX
Valparaiso University School of Law

My clients know me as more than just an attorney. First and foremost, my background is much broader than that. Prior to attending the Valparaiso University School of Law, I earned a Master of Business Administration and ran a small business as a certified public accountant. Thanks to this experience, I possess unique insight which in turn allows me to better assist my clients with a wide range of business and tax matters today. In total, I have over 20 years of experience in financial management, tax law, and business consulting, and I’m proud to say that I’m utilizing the knowledge I’ve gained to assist the community of Round Rock in a variety of ways. In my current practice, I provide counsel to small to medium-sized businesses, nonprofit organizations, and everyday individuals. Though my primary areas of practice are estate planning, elder law, business consulting, and tax planning, I pride myself on assisting my clients in a comprehensive manner. Whenever I take on a new client, I make an effort to get to know them on a personal level. This, of course, begins with listening. It is important that I fully understand their vision so I can help them successfully translate it into a concrete plan of action that meets their goals and expectations. I appreciate the individual attributes of each client and know firsthand that thoughtful, creative, and customized planning can maximize both financial security and personal happiness. During my time as a certified public accountant, I cultivated an invaluable skill set. After all, while my legal education has given me a deep understanding of tax law, I would not be the tax attorney I am today without my background in accounting. Due to my far-reaching experience, I am competent in unraveling even the most complex tax mysteries and disputes. My CPA training benefits my estate planning practice, too. In the process of drafting comprehensive wills and trusts, I carefully account for every asset and plan for any tax burdens that may arise, often facilitating a much smoother inheritance for the heirs of my clients. Prior to becoming certified as a CPA, I made sure to establish a solid foundation in business both in and out of the classroom, and the acumen I’ve attained has served me well. Not only am I better able to run my own practice than I otherwise would be; I am able to help other small business owners fulfill their dreams, as well.

Anna K. on ContractsCounsel
View Anna
Member Since:
November 12, 2021

Anna K.

Manager
Free Consultation
Miami, Florida
28 Yrs Experience
Licensed in FL
University of Miami

Anna is an experienced attorney, with over twenty years of experience. With no geographical boundaries confining her practice, Anna works on corporate, healthcare and real estate transactions. Anna brings extensive big firm experience, garnered as an associate in the Miami office of the world's largest law firm, Baker and McKenzie, and the Miami office of the international law firm Kilpatrick Townsend. Her areas of expertise include: mergers and acquisitions, initial public offerings, private placements, healthcare transactions, corporate finance, commercial real estate transaction and acting as a general corporate counsel. Anna is certified to practice law in Florida and was admitted to the Florida Bar in 1998. Anna is also a Certified Public Accountant. She passed May 1995 CPA Exam on the first sitting. She is fluent in Russian (native).

Clara D. on ContractsCounsel
View Clara
Member Since:
October 8, 2021

Clara D.

Principal
Illinois
23 Yrs Experience
Licensed in IL
University of Chicago

Clara Duffield is a seasoned financial services, technology, privacy, business, intellectual property, and real estate lawyer, with in-house and large firm experience. She currently represents a range of clients, from start-ups to large, heavily-regulated companies, in a wide variety of transactional matters. After graduating from The University of Chicago Law School, Clara spent eight years in private practice representing clients in complex commercial real estate, merger and acquisition, branding, and other transactional matters. Clara then worked as in-house counsel to a large financial services company, handling intellectual property, vendor contracts, technology, privacy, cybersecurity, licensing, marketing, and otherwise supporting general operations. She opened her own practice in September of 2017. Duffield Law provides strategic and flexible representation to businesses of all sizes. Its clients include entrepreneurs and early-stage startups to Fortune 100 companies. From outside general counsel or volume work to discreet assignments, our small firm model allows us the flexibility to provide only the legal services a client needs, without sacrificing the quality all clients deserve. With a depth of in-house and large law firm experience, we work with clients to thoughtfully assess risk, identify and engage subject matter experts, and manage legal spend.

Find the best lawyer for your project

Browse Lawyers Now

Quick, user friendly and one of the better ways I've come across to get ahold of lawyers willing to take new clients.

View Trustpilot Review

Need help with a legal contract?

Post Your Project

Get Free Bids to Compare

Hire Your Lawyer

CONTRACT LAWYERS BY TOP CITIES
See All Dental Lawyers
DENTAL EMPLOYMENT CONTRACT NEGOTIATION LAWYERS BY CITY
See All Dental Employment Contract Negotiation Lawyers

Contracts Counsel was incredibly helpful and easy to use. I submitted a project for a lawyer's help within a day I had received over 6 proposals from qualified lawyers. I submitted a bid that works best for my business and we went forward with the project.

View Trustpilot Review

I never knew how difficult it was to obtain representation or a lawyer, and ContractsCounsel was EXACTLY the type of service I was hoping for when I was in a pinch. Working with their service was efficient, effective and made me feel in control. Thank you so much and should I ever need attorney services down the road, I'll certainly be a repeat customer.

View Trustpilot Review

I got 5 bids within 24h of posting my project. I choose the person who provided the most detailed and relevant intro letter, highlighting their experience relevant to my project. I am very satisfied with the outcome and quality of the two agreements that were produced, they actually far exceed my expectations.

View Trustpilot Review

How It Works

Post Your Project

Get Free Bids to Compare

Hire Your Lawyer

Want to speak to someone?

Get in touch below and we will schedule a time to connect!

Request a call

Find lawyers and attorneys by city