5 Things to Send an Attorney Before They Review Your Dentist Contract

If you only send your attorney the contract, they are flying half blind. A few extra documents and notes can help them spot problems faster and give you better advice.

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Here are five things to send with your contract.

1. The full contract (every page, in order)

What to send The complete agreement: all pages, any attachments, exhibits, or addendums, in one clear PDF or scan.

Why it helps Missing pages or loose screenshots make it easy to miss important fine print about pay, non‑competes, lab fees, or termination.

What problem it may uncover Hidden clauses about lab fees, repayment, or non‑competes that were never mentioned in the interview but appear on later pages.

Example If page 7 quietly says “associate is responsible for all lab fees before calculation of percentage,” your attorney needs to see that in context, not as a cropped image.

2. The offer letter and job posting

What to send The original offer email or letter and, if possible, a copy or screenshot of the job posting you applied to.

Why it helps Attorneys can compare promises in the offer/posting to what is actually written in the contract.

What problem it may uncover Salary ranges, daily guarantees, or mentorship promises that appeared in the posting or offer but never made it into the contract.

Example The posting says “700/day guarantee for 6 months,” but the contract is silent about any guarantee. Your attorney can flag that mismatch and suggest specific language to fix it.

3. Your interview notes and saved messages

What to send Brief notes from your conversations plus any important texts or emails where terms were discussed (pay, schedule, location, mentorship, bonuses).

Why it helps This shows what you were actually told, not just what ended up in legal language.

What problem it may uncover Verbal promises like “you will only work at this one location” or “we cover all lab fees” that do not match the written contract.

Example Your note says, “Owner promised I’d only work in the main office, no floating.” The contract says, “Associate may be assigned to any current or future locations at employer’s discretion.” Your attorney can help you tighten that.

4. Your specific questions and worries

What to send A short list (bullets are fine) of what confuses you or scares you about the contract: pay formula, lab fees, non‑compete, notice period, repayment, etc.

Why it helps Instead of guessing what to focus on, your attorney can go straight to the terms that will impact your life the most.

What problem it may uncover Language that seems harmless to you but is risky when tied to your concerns—for example, “recoverable draw” or broad “restrictive covenant” wording.

Example You tell your attorney: “I want to buy a practice in this city later.” That prompts them to look extra closely at non‑compete and ownership‑limit clauses you might have skimmed.

5. Basic job details and your future goals

What to send A one‑page summary in your own words: City/state of the job. Type of practice (DSO vs private, rural vs city). Typical schedule they offered. What you want in the next 3–5 years (stay in area, own later, move, specialize, etc.).

Why it helps Contract risk depends on your plans. A non‑compete that is fine for someone planning to move might be terrible for someone who wants to stay and own locally.

What problem it may uncover Terms that are not bad in general, but are bad for you—for example, a long non‑compete in the exact city where you hope to settle and build your career.

Example If you say, “I really want to stay within 15 minutes of this office long‑term,” your attorney will pay special attention to radius and duration of the non‑compete and advise you differently than if you planned to move in a year.

***This article is educational only and not legal advice. A qualified dental contract attorney should review your actual agreement and the documents you send them.

• •Once you gather the contract, offer, posting, notes, questions, and goals, use Bonded to organize your job details and run the numbers on pay, lab fees, and schedule so your attorney can focus on legal risk while you focus on how the job will feel and pay in real life.