Most people hire a dentist because their current one retired or moved. That's a pain. But buying the wrong service because you rushed the search is a bigger one. Here's what actually matters when you're the one signing the check.
Licensing & Insurance Questions
Ask for the license number before you ask about anything else. Look it up on your state board's website yourself. One suspension or malpractice settlement and you save yourself years of headache. For insurance, get a copy of their malpractice coverage and verify the dates. Don't take their word for it. General liability matters too — a patient tripping in your hallway is your problem unless they carry it. If they hesitate on any of this, move on.
Experience & References Questions
How many patients have they treated per week for the last three years? That tells you if they're busy or desperate. Ask for three references from the last two years — other practice owners, not friends. Call every single one. Ask what broke during the first month and how the new hire handled it. If the references are vague or dodgy, that's your answer. Also ask about their turnover on support staff. A dentist who burns through assistants burns through your patience.
Pricing & Timeline Questions
Get a per-diem rate and a production percentage in writing. Don't let them propose both and take whichever is higher each month — that's a trick. Ask straight: what's your average collection per hour in your last job? If they can't answer, they're not tracking it. Timeline should be two weeks to start after signing. Anyone pushing for a start date less than a week out is probably leaving their last place on bad terms. Over a month means they're still shopping.
Contract Questions
Non-compete clauses are standard but need limits. One year and five miles is fair. Anything longer or wider is them trying to trap you. Ask if the contract has a buyout — if you fire them, do you owe anything? If they fire you, do they owe you? Read the termination clause. Thirty days from either side is reasonable. Ninety days from you while they can leave in two is bull. Get a lawyer who does healthcare contracts, not your cousin the real estate guy.
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