Top 7 Things to Check Before Signing an Associate Dentist Contract

• •

  When you are close to signing, it is tempting to skim and hope for the best. Your contract is not a formality. It is the rulebook for your pay, your schedule, and how you can leave.

• •

  If you need more job offers, get them by making a free account and get found by employers. And if you want to know what questions to ask in the interview, go here.

• •

  Use this as a final checklist before you pick up the pen.

1. Pay formula

What to check Exactly how your pay is calculated: salary, % of production, % of collections, or a mix, and what the percentage applies to.

Why it matters Vague pay terms lead to surprise paychecks and make it hard to compare jobs or spot mistakes.

One question to ask “Is my pay based on production or collections, what percentage, and is it gross or adjusted?”

Red flag Language like “competitive compensation” or “around 30%” with no clear number, base, or timing.

2. Daily guarantee

What to check Whether there is a daily guarantee, the exact amount, how long it lasts, and whether it is recoverable or not.

Why it matters In your ramp‑up months, a guarantee can be the difference between calm and panic when the schedule is light.

One question to ask “What is my daily guarantee, for how many months, and do I ever have to pay back any shortfall later?”

Red flag A promise of a guarantee in the interview that never shows up in the contract, or a “draw” that must be repaid instead of a true floor.

3. Lab fees

What to check Who pays lab fees and whether they are deducted before or after your percentage is calculated.

Why it matters Lab fee rules can quietly shave thousands off your yearly pay if they are taken out first on lab‑heavy work.

One question to ask “Are lab fees taken out before or after my percentage, and can we put a clear example into the contract language?”

Red flag “Associate will be responsible for lab fees” with no detail, or a refusal to clarify the math in writing.

4. Benefits

What to check Which benefits you get (health, malpractice, CE, retirement match, disability) and how much of each the practice pays versus you.

Why it matters Benefits can be worth tens of thousands per year or almost nothing, depending on how they are structured.

One question to ask “Can we list the benefits, eligibility, and what portion the practice pays in the contract?”

Red flag “Eligible for standard benefits” with no specifics and no cost breakdown.

5. Non-compete

What to check The radius, length of time, and which locations the non‑compete covers.

Why it matters A wide or long non‑compete can block you from working near family, your partner, or a future practice you want to own.

One question to ask “What address is this non‑compete tied to, what is the exact radius, and how long does it last?” Then have a dental attorney review it.

Red flag Language that ties you to “any current or future office” over a large area for a long period, with no room to narrow it.

6. Termination rules

What to check How you and the practice can end the agreement, how much notice is required, and whether there are any penalties.

Why it matters You need a clear exit path if the job is not what you expected or your life changes.

One question to ask “What notice do I have to give, what notice do you have to give, and are there any repayment or penalty clauses if I leave?”

Red flag Very long notice periods (for example, 120 days), one‑sided termination rights, or unclear language about how you can resign.

7. Schedule, work days, and expectations

What to check Your expected work days, hours, locations, and any production or performance expectations tied to your role.

Why it matters A job that looks good on pay but expects constant evenings, weekends, or floating between locations can feel very different in real life.

One question to ask “Which days and hours will I work, will I float between offices, and what does a typical weekly schedule look like for this role?”

Red flag Language like “schedule and locations at employer’s discretion” that does not match what you discussed in the interview.

One more step before you sign

• •This article is not legal advice. You should have a dental‑savvy attorney review your contract, especially around pay, lab fees, non‑compete, termination, and repayment clauses.
• •Once you understand the terms, put the pay formula, lab rules, guarantee, and schedule into Bonded’s free Career Launch Pass tools so you can see what the contract is likely to pay you in real life and how it compares to your other options before you sign.