Top 5 Non-Compete Mistakes New Dentists Make

Your non‑compete clause does not matter on your first day. It matters when you want your second job, or when you want to own nearby. Many new dentists ignore it and pay for it later.

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Here are five common mistakes to avoid.

1. Not reading the radius carefully

What it means

• •You glance at the non‑compete section but do not really picture the area it covers.

Why it matters

• •A few extra miles on paper can wipe out a whole city or region in real life.

Simple example

• •A 10‑mile radius in a suburban area may be manageable. A 20‑mile radius around a central office in a dense metro can block dozens of practices and most of the places you would want to work.

What to ask an attorney

• •“Given this address and radius, what neighborhoods and nearby towns would I be blocked from working in if I leave?”

2. Ignoring how long the non-compete lasts

What it means

• •You notice the radius but forget to look closely at the time period.

Why it matters

• •A non‑compete that lasts one year feels very different from one that lasts two or three.

Simple example

• •If you sign a 2‑year non‑compete at graduation and stay only one year, you may be blocked from working nearby until three years after you started.

What to ask an attorney

• •“Is this length (for example, 2 years) typical or aggressive in my state, and how might it affect my next job or ownership plans?”

3. Not checking which locations are included

What it means

• •You assume the non‑compete applies to one office, but the contract quietly includes multiple current or future locations.

Why it matters

• •Language like “any office owned by the practice or its affiliates” can massively expand the blocked area.

Simple example

• •You think you are signing for one clinic. The group has five locations scattered around your city. A 10‑mile radius from each can overlap and effectively push you out of the whole area.

What to ask an attorney

• •“Does this non‑compete apply to one address or to all current and future locations, and what does that look like on a map?”

4. Assuming it will not be enforced

What it means

• •You tell yourself, “They probably will not enforce it,” and sign without really understanding it.

Why it matters

• •Some employers ignore non‑competes, but others enforce them. You do not want to gamble your next job on a guess.

Simple example

• •You leave for a better job down the road, assuming it is fine. Months later, you get a letter reminding you of the non‑compete and asking you to stop working in that area. Now you are stuck between two employers and a legal fight.

What to ask an attorney

• •“How likely is this type of non‑compete to be enforceable in my state, and what risks do I take if I sign it as written?”

5. Not asking how it affects future ownership

What it means

• •You only think about working as an associate, not about where you might want to own or buy a practice later.

Why it matters

• •A broad non‑compete can block you from buying a practice or becoming a partner where you actually want to live.

Simple example

• •You dream of owning in the area where you train. A 10‑ or 15‑mile non‑compete around your first job might prevent you from buying a great practice that comes up for sale down the street.

What to ask an attorney

• •“If I sign this non‑compete and later want to buy or start a practice nearby, what will this clause stop me from doing?”

Use non-competes as a filter, not just a footnote You do not have to fear every non‑compete. You do need to understand it before you sign. Before you agree to one:

• •Map the radius.
• •Check the length.
• •See which locations it covers.
• •Do not assume it will be ignored.
• •Think about future jobs and ownership, not just your first year.
• •Then talk with a dental‑savvy attorney about your specific contract and use Bonded to compare job options so you are not picking an offer that quietly traps your next move.