Hiring a New Associate Dentist? Don’t Overlook Fundamental Due Diligence
Few decisions a dental practice owner makes are as impactful as who they hire as an associate dentist. Whether a freshly minted dental school graduate or a more seasoned lateral hire, the associate you bring on board will hold the well-being of your patients, as well as the reputation, culture, and financial trajectory of your practice, in their hands. Making an informed decision, and conducting the due diligence necessary to do so, is critical and will go a long way towards fostering a mutually productive professional relationship.
There is a multitude of considerations that go into the associate dentist hiring decision matrix – technical expertise, skill sets that match your needs, demeanor and communication skills, cultural fit, and agreed compensation structure, among others. But all of these factors, as important as they are, are irrelevant if the candidate lacks the fundamental ability to practice dentistry in your state or has issues of concern in their record that cast doubt on their suitability for your practice.
If you have a seemingly ideal associate dentist candidate in your sights and are ready to move forward with an offer, make sure you cover all of the following fundamental licensing, credentialing, and disciplinary bases before doing so.
- Verify Licensure In Your Jurisdiction: Confirm the associate holds a valid dental license in your state or is in the process of obtaining their license. Obtain a photocopy or digital copy of the state dental license and verify the license status and validity using your state dental board’s online system.
- Check Educational Background: Request transcripts or diplomas from accredited dental schools.
- Specializations: If the candidate claims additional certifications, specialization, or training, ensure they provide supporting documentation.
- DEA Certification: Ensure the new associate has a valid DEA certificate. Get a copy of the certificate and confirm the registration number and expiration date.
- Malpractice History: Inquire about past claims or lawsuits. Ask about the underlying allegations and how the matters were resolved.
- Malpractice Insurance: If the associate will be responsible for maintaining their own malpractice insurance coverage, obtain proof of their current coverage, and verify policy limits, policy number, the insurance provider’s contact information, and the policy renewal dates.
- Assess Clinical Skills and Competence: Ask the candidate to present cases they’ve handled, including treatment plans and outcomes, and consider having candidates perform a procedure or shadow your team to observe their techniques and patient interaction.
- Peer Recommendations: Speak to previous employers, mentors, or colleagues about the candidate’s skills and areas for improvement.
- Conduct a Thorough Background Check: Ensure the candidate has no criminal history or legal issues beyond malpractice claims that could jeopardize patient safety, their licensure status, or your practice's reputation.
- Employment History and Contractual Obligations: Verify the candidate’s employment history and inquire about their reasons for leaving previous positions. Also ask about any contractual restrictions on their ability to join your practice, such as non-competition or non-solicitation agreements.
- Understanding of Ethics and Compliance Obligations: Inquire as to their knowledge and appreciation of and commitment to fundamental ethical and legal compliance obligations.
We Focus on You So You Can Focus on Your Patients
As noted, the hiring and onboarding of a new associate dentist is a multifaceted, multistep endeavor. No matter how impressive a putative associate may seem and perhaps is, confirming that they possess the foundational requirements and attributes needed to contribute to your practice and care for your patients is indispensable.
At Grogan Hesse & Uditsky, P.C., we focus a substantial part of our practice on providing exceptional legal services for dentists and dental practices, as well as orthodontists, periodontists, endodontists, pediatric dentists, and oral surgeons. We bring unique insights and deep commitment to protecting the interests of dental professionals and their practices and welcome the opportunity to work with you.
Please call us at (630) 833-5533 or contact us online to arrange for your free initial consultation.
Jordan Uditsky, an accomplished businessman and seasoned attorney, combines his experience as a legal counselor and successful entrepreneur to advise dentists and other business owners in the Chicago area. Jordan grew up in a dental family, with his father, grandfather, and sister each owning their own dental practices. This blend of legal, business, and personal experience provides Jordan with unique insight into his clients’ needs, concerns, and goals.
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