Ownership and transitions
Associateship
An associateship is the working arrangement in which a dentist joins a practice owned by another dentist, sometimes with a plan to buy in or buy the practice later.
The ADA lists planning associate buy-ins and owner buy-outs, and the use of restrictive covenants, among the topics a dentist should understand when joining or leaving a practice. Before hiring an associate, the ADA says an owner should make sure the practice is ready for another dentist. The terms of an associateship cover pay, schedule, duties, patient ownership and what happens when either side leaves. Because these terms bind both sides, each should have an attorney review the agreement. Pay is covered under associate compensation. The path may lead to practice ownership.