---
title: "What Is Non-solicitation clause? Dental Practice Glossary"
description: "A contract term that bars a departing person from drawing away the former employer's patients or staff for a set period after the job ends."
url: https://joncopeland.multisites.ai/glossary/non-solicitation-clause
publisher: Copeland Consulting Services
email: drcopeland@joncopelanddds.com
contact: https://joncopeland.multisites.ai/contact
---

Ownership and transitions

# Non-solicitation clause

A contract term that bars a departing person from drawing away the former employer's patients or staff for a set period after the job ends.

A non-solicitation clause limits whom you may approach after you leave a practice. The ADA's guide to dentist employment agreements gives an example: such a clause may prevent a dentist from hiring a hygienist or an office manager from the former employer.

It is one kind of [restrictive covenant](https://joncopeland.multisites.ai/glossary/restrictive-covenant). A [non-compete clause](https://joncopeland.multisites.ai/glossary/non-compete-clause) differs because it limits where a person may work, not whom they may contact. Some contracts list patients, staff, or both.

Courts and states treat these clauses in different ways, and the rules keep changing. Anyone who reads such a clause in an [employment agreement](https://joncopeland.multisites.ai/glossary/employment-agreement) should ask an attorney what it means in their state. This entry defines the term only.

[Next stepPractice consulting with Dr. Copeland](https://joncopeland.multisites.ai/contact?topic=consulting)

## Related terms

-   [Restrictive covenant](https://joncopeland.multisites.ai/glossary/restrictive-covenant)
-   [Non-compete clause](https://joncopeland.multisites.ai/glossary/non-compete-clause)
-   [Employment agreement](https://joncopeland.multisites.ai/glossary/employment-agreement)

## Sources

1.  [ADA, Dentist Employment Agreements: A Guide to Key Legal Provisions](https://www.ada.org/-/media/project/ada-organization/ada/ada-org/files/resources/coronavirus/covid-19-frequently-asked-questions/dentist_employment_agreements.pdf)

## Talk with Dr. Copeland

[Contact Dr. Copeland](https://joncopeland.multisites.ai/contact)[Email](mailto:drcopeland@joncopelanddds.com)