What are the key elements to consider when reviewing a dental associate contract?

I am a WA State attorney. For starters, obtain a copy of your policy, print it, and read it carefully, using a yellow highlighter to highlight your questions/concerns, while making notes on a notepad. Check with independent malpractice insurers in WA to determine typical amounts of coverage in your field and county. Consider buying more on your own and/or an umbrella policy. Check with instructors, mentors, and colleagues in your field to seek guidance on adequate coverage.

It's not necessary to write a contract - you can write a hiring letter with the terms and conditions, with a reminder that the employee is an "at will" employee. This may give you more freedom to discipline or terminate the employee than an employment contract would. However, you can also write this up as a contract. In either instance, do not violate any laws, such as the state and federal laws against discrimination (some counties and cities, such as King and Spokane counties, and Tacoma, Seattle, and possibly Spokane may have additional provisions); watch out for RCW 49.44.211, a 2022 law about nondisclosure and nondisparagement provisions; and, if you choose to include regular evaluations in your letter or contract, the most simple thing is to track those on a calender and remind yourself and your employee of the date a few weeks ahead of time. Some hiring letters and employment contracts provide for reimbursing the employer for the costs of training and/or any costs provided to the employee for moving expenses if the employee leaves before "X" amount of time.. Before hiring any new employee, do your best to conduct a national background check (not just state) and make sure it's extensive - prior performance at another job? Was the work history and education what they say it was? Any misdemeanors or felonies? What is their financial history and credit rating? Etc. Good luck on your hiring decisions.

Without seeing the contract and without knowing exactly what you are looking for, it is impossible to answer your question.

Refer to your contract. Is the term of your employment coming to an end or are you being terminated prior to that date. Check if your contract has a notice period. Even if there is a notice period, your agreement will specify whether you can be terminated with or without cause.

Here are a couple of items you should pay close attention to: 1. Be clear about what you are purchasing. There should be an itemized list of personal business property. You will also want to make sure that you have included digital and intellectual property assets. For each item, you will want to make sure that there are no liens on the property and that no one else has any ownership interest in the property. 2. Be clear about any non-compete provisions that you need to have in the agreement. The last thing you want is for the seller to open a competing office or become an investor in a competing practice that's right across the street from you and have your anticipated clients move to the new practice. You need to pay particular attention to how this provision is crafted, given that there are major concerns about restrictions such as non-competes. Additionally, some states have already banned non-competes for employees who are doctors, and the Federal Trade Commission is expected to vote on new rules concerning non-competes in 2024. 3. Thoroughly research and analyze the profit and loss statements, taxes, and employment records. Make sure you understand the cash flow of the operation. It's best to consider having an accountant review all of these documents. These are just three things to think about when purchasing any business. There are many more. Hiring an experienced attorney is one of the best things that you can do to make sure that you are assessing the risks associated with the purchase.