The Complexities of Hiring an Associate Dentist

How to know when you’re ready, what to ask, and why associateships rarely last more than two years.

Hiring an associate dentist is one of the biggest decisions a practice owner will ever face — and one of the easiest to get wrong.

In this episode of Dental Drill Bits, co-hosts Dana Pardue Salisbury and Sandy Pardue unpack the real-world complexities of growing your dental team. They break down the numbers that prove you’re ready for an associate, explore why most associateships last only 1–2 years, and explain why a handshake deal is never enough.

Whether you’re an established owner ready to expand or a recent dental school graduate stepping into your first associateship, this episode gives you a clear, candid look at what makes these partnerships succeed — or fail. 

?? Episode Overview

Hosts: Dana Pardue Salisbury & Sandy Pardue
Series: Dental Drill Bits
Episode Length: ~25 minutes

What You’ll Learn:

    
•     

  How to know if your practice can truly support an associate

      
    
•     

  Why culture fit matters more than credentials

      
    
•     

  Why most associateships fail within two years

      
    
•     

  The role of contracts and communication in long-term success

      

?? Episode Highlights & Key Takeaways

When Are You Really Ready to Hire an Associate?

Before you post that job ad, check your numbers.
Sandy shares that you’ll need at least 2,000–2,500 active patients and 30+ new patients per month to sustainably support a second doctor.
If your hygiene chairs are consistently full and you’re booked out four to five weeks, you may be ready. If not, it’s too soon.

The Culture Fit Factor

An associate’s clinical skills may look perfect on paper, but personality, communication, and philosophy are what determine success.

“You have to move beyond skills,” Sandy explains. “Ask how they handle feedback, what kind of environment they thrive in, and what they want to learn.”

Dana suggests having the candidate list how much time they need for common procedures — crowns, molar endo, fillings — to set realistic expectations and create a foundation for scheduling consistency.

Listener Post Spotlight

Dana reads a message from a Dental Drill Bits community member:

“How do you pick the right associate? How do you have difficult conversations when there are patient complaints? What if they aren’t a good fit? Which conversations should the office manager have — and which should the owner handle?”

Their discussion answers those exact questions with practical boundaries:

    
•     

  Office Manager ? handles admin, scheduling, and logistics.

      
    
•     

  Owner Dentist ? handles clinical performance, patient feedback, and mentorship.

      

Why Associates Leave After 1–2 Years

The national average for associateships is short — and for good reason.
Most associates leave because of misaligned expectations. Owners assume they’ve hired a long-term partner. Associates think they’re stepping into a pathway to ownership. When there’s no shared vision, frustration builds fast.

“Without clarity and a contract,” Dana says, “you’re setting a time bomb in your practice.”

The Contract Conversation

Handshake agreements don’t work.
Sandy warns against copying generic contracts from online forums, noting that every state’s laws differ. Instead, hire a dental-specific attorney to draft an agreement that covers:

    
•     

  Compensation structure and production percentage

      
    
•     

  Who pays lab fees and malpractice insurance

      
    
•     

  CE reimbursement and time off

      
    
•     

  Non-compete, non-solicitation, and marketing expectations

      
    
•     

  Ownership pathways or exit plans

      

“Nothing in life flows without an agreement,” Sandy reminds listeners. “Every practice upset happens because people see things differently — so get those details in writing.”

Bonus Story: The Aesthetician Lesson

Dana shares a personal story about being invited by her aesthetician to a new business right under her employer’s nose — a perfect example of why agreements must include non-solicitation clauses and patient retention language.

Episode Recap

By the end of the episode, you’ll be able to:
? Identify when your practice is ready for an associate
? Recognize what to look for (and avoid) in a candidate
? Understand why associateships fail and how to prevent turnover
? Build clear contracts that protect both the owner and the associate

 Sponsors & Resources

Identity Dental Marketing
Looking to stand out in a crowded market? Identity Dental Marketing builds brands that convert.
?? www.identitydental.com

Plan Forward
The #1 membership plan platform for dental practices—simple, secure, and patient-friendly.
?? www.planforward.io

Mango Voice
VoIP that works for dental practices. Elevate your phone systems and never miss a patient call again.
?? www.mangovoice.com

?? Front Desk Pro – Las Vegas, November 7
Join Sandy and Dana for a one-day seminar designed to help your front desk team master scheduling, treatment presentation, and systems that boost production.
?? Register at ClassicPractice.com and save $100 with code Secret Sauce.

?? Classic Practice Virtual Consulting
Train your entire team with on-demand modules, personalized coaching, and real accountability.
Email sandy@classicpractice.com for details and introductory pricing.

?? Join the Conversation

Are you currently hiring an associate — or considering becoming one?
Share your questions in the Dental Drill Bits Facebook group, and your post might be featured in a future episode!

?? Subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen.
?? Leave a review to help other practice owners discover Dental Drill Bits.