Dental Compensation Basics: What Every Dental Professional Needs To Know

Whether you’re a fresh graduate starting your career journey, a seasoned clinician, or an employer in the dental field, the complexities and intricacies of compensation can sometimes make your head spin. It’s not just about the paycheck that lands in your bank account – it’s about so much more.

Understanding The Face Of Compensation

Typically, we view compensation as the monetary rewards that an employee receives. However, how this is dispensed varies across organizations. Full-time employees might be salaried or paid by the hour. There are also instances where compensation is tied to productivity or output.

Take note though, your compensation package isn’t solely defined by your take-home pay. Especially if you’re a part-time or temporary worker, the dollar amount may be the crux of your compensation. But for full-time employees, the story is often different.

The Perks Of Being A Full-Time Dental Professional

In many dental practices, full-time employees are offered a plethora of extra benefits. And it’s not just about health insurance – dental benefits play a significant role too.

Understanding whether you’re entitled to free or heavily discounted dental care is crucial. And don’t forget to check whether this extends to your family members.

Other elements to consider include disability insurance, or if the office might subsidize massage or chiropractic therapy. These can significantly add to your overall job satisfaction and well-being.

The Power Of Personal Time Off (PTO)

PTO is another valuable component of a comprehensive compensation package. It encompasses vacation, holiday, and sick leave.

It’s essential to understand how PTO is accrued and used. For instance, you might be granted eight hours of PTO for every 25 days worked. Some offices might have a policy that requires employees to take vacation simultaneously, allowing for a complete office shutdown. This is crucial information that will help you plan your fun-filled breaks without financial stress.

Now, what if you take PTO when the office isn’t closed? Who’s responsible for finding a temp? Some offices may expect you to arrange this, while others might simply adjust the schedule to cover your absence. If you’re lucky, you might have the support of agencies like DentalPost who can help find a temp, reducing stress for the whole team.

Digging Deeper Into Other Benefits

Don’t overlook other benefits like retirement plans, and allowances for continuing education courses, association memberships, license renewals and uniforms. They may not seem significant initially, but over time, they can make a substantial difference.

While not every dental practice provides every benefit, these are aspects you should consider when evaluating your current or future employment. Knowing which benefits are most important to you will help you navigate and demystify the labyrinth that is compensation.