Questions to Ask When Joining a Dental Practice
Essential questions to evaluate a dental practice opportunity and ensure the right cultural and professional fit.
1What is the practice's philosophy on patient care and treatment approaches?
Click to see why this works
What is the practice's philosophy on patient care and treatment approaches?
Click to see why this works
Why this works
Reveals core values and whether your clinical approach aligns with the practice's standards and patient care philosophy.
2How is the schedule structured and what are the expected patient volumes?
Click to see why this works
How is the schedule structured and what are the expected patient volumes?
Click to see why this works
Why this works
Understanding workload expectations helps assess work-life balance and whether the pace matches your preferences.
3What continuing education opportunities and support does the practice provide?
Click to see why this works
What continuing education opportunities and support does the practice provide?
Click to see why this works
Why this works
Shows commitment to professional development and whether the practice invests in keeping skills current.
4How are new procedures and technologies evaluated and adopted?
Click to see why this works
How are new procedures and technologies evaluated and adopted?
Click to see why this works
Why this works
Indicates the practice's openness to innovation and whether you'll have access to modern dental technology.
5What is the practice's approach to handling difficult or complex cases?
Click to see why this works
What is the practice's approach to handling difficult or complex cases?
Click to see why this works
Why this works
Reveals support systems and whether you'll have mentorship or collaboration opportunities for challenging treatments.
6How is compensation structured and what are the performance metrics?
Click to see why this works
How is compensation structured and what are the performance metrics?
Click to see why this works
Why this works
Understanding pay structure, bonuses, and evaluation criteria helps assess financial expectations and growth potential.
7What is the practice's policy on referrals to specialists?
Click to see why this works
What is the practice's policy on referrals to specialists?
Click to see why this works
Why this works
Shows whether you'll be expected to handle complex cases in-house or can refer appropriately to specialists.
8How does the practice handle patient complaints or difficult situations?
Click to see why this works
How does the practice handle patient complaints or difficult situations?
Click to see why this works
Why this works
Reveals support systems and whether you'll have backup when dealing with challenging patient interactions.
9What is the practice's approach to infection control and safety protocols?
Click to see why this works
What is the practice's approach to infection control and safety protocols?
Click to see why this works
Why this works
Ensures the practice meets high standards for patient and staff safety, which is crucial for professional reputation.
10How are treatment plans developed and presented to patients?
Click to see why this works
How are treatment plans developed and presented to patients?
Click to see why this works
Why this works
Understanding the consultation process helps assess whether you'll have autonomy in treatment planning.
11What is the practice's policy on emergency patients and after-hours care?
Click to see why this works
What is the practice's policy on emergency patients and after-hours care?
Click to see why this works
Why this works
Clarifies expectations for availability and whether you'll be on-call or have coverage arrangements.
12How does the practice handle insurance and billing processes?
Click to see why this works
How does the practice handle insurance and billing processes?
Click to see why this works
Why this works
Understanding administrative processes helps assess whether you'll need to be involved in financial discussions with patients.
13What is the practice's approach to staff training and development?
Click to see why this works
What is the practice's approach to staff training and development?
Click to see why this works
Why this works
Shows whether the practice invests in team development and if you'll have well-trained support staff.
14How are new team members integrated and what is the mentorship process?
Click to see why this works
How are new team members integrated and what is the mentorship process?
Click to see why this works
Why this works
Reveals support systems for new dentists and whether you'll have guidance during the transition period.
15What is the practice's policy on continuing education and conference attendance?
Click to see why this works
What is the practice's policy on continuing education and conference attendance?
Click to see why this works
Why this works
Understanding professional development support helps assess opportunities for staying current with dental advances.
16How does the practice handle marketing and patient acquisition?
Click to see why this works
How does the practice handle marketing and patient acquisition?
Click to see why this works
Why this works
Shows whether the practice actively grows its patient base and how you might be involved in practice development.
17What is the practice's approach to quality assurance and peer review?
Click to see why this works
What is the practice's approach to quality assurance and peer review?
Click to see why this works
Why this works
Reveals whether the practice has systems for maintaining high standards and continuous improvement.
18How are practice policies and procedures communicated and updated?
Click to see why this works
How are practice policies and procedures communicated and updated?
Click to see why this works
Why this works
Understanding communication systems helps assess how well-informed you'll be about practice operations.
19What is the practice's approach to patient retention and satisfaction?
Click to see why this works
What is the practice's approach to patient retention and satisfaction?
Click to see why this works
Why this works
Shows focus on long-term patient relationships and whether the practice prioritizes patient experience.
20How does the practice handle professional liability and malpractice insurance?
Click to see why this works
How does the practice handle professional liability and malpractice insurance?
Click to see why this works
Why this works
Understanding coverage and support systems helps assess your professional protection and risk management.
Best Practices for Evaluating Dental Practice Opportunities
Expert tips and techniques for getting the most out of these questions.
Best Practices
Assess Cultural Fit
Look beyond clinical skills to understand the practice's values, communication style, and approach to patient care. A good cultural fit leads to job satisfaction and professional growth.
Evaluate Support Systems
Ensure the practice has adequate support staff, mentorship opportunities, and administrative systems that will help you succeed as a new team member.
Consider Growth Opportunities
Ask about partnership potential, leadership opportunities, and how the practice plans to grow. This helps assess long-term career prospects.
Question Sequences
The Practice Culture Sequence
The Professional Development Sequence
Common Pitfalls
Don't Focus Only on Compensation
While salary is important, also consider work environment, growth opportunities, and professional development support. A higher salary in a toxic environment isn't worth it.
Don't Ignore Red Flags
Pay attention to how staff interact, the condition of equipment, and how management handles questions. These indicators reveal the practice's true culture.
Don't Skip the Follow-up Questions
Ask for clarification on vague answers and request specific examples. Generic responses may indicate the practice hasn't thought through important policies.