Associateships

This section of the toolkit helps you understand and evaluate your employment choices as an associate, explains the types of dental practices in which associates in California work, and provides information on alternate career options to consider.

What is the next step after you’ve graduated from dental schools? These resources have been designed to help you through the next steps in finding your career path.

As an associate, there are several ways to structure the relationship between you and the employer. In this resource, we review different options.

A summary of the pathways to obtain a California dental license, the first of many licenses, permits, certificates and registrations necessary to practice dentistry, as well as to own and operate a dental practice, in the state.

Dental credentialing is the first step in is the process of a dentist entering into a contract with a dental benefit / insurance carrier. Learn more about it in this section of the resource.

As an international dental student (IDS) at an accredited IDS program, it is best to research and understand the process to obtain work visas in the United States at least 12 months before graduation. This section covers the various types of work visas applicable to international dentists who have completed an IDS accredited program in the United States. 

Developed to assist dentists in understanding the contents of a typical agreement. Many common contract terms and conditions are included in this sample with considerations provided for those areas that may be ambiguous. 

First impressions matter when a new associate joins the team. Few onboarding goals are more critical than providing them with a positive experience in the first days and weeks of their employment.

The following checklist and suggested first-week schedule can be integrated into your practice’s onboarding plan. You may customize the checklist to fit your practice.

There are many elements involved in preparing and marketing yourself for employment. In this section you will get tips to create an effective curriculum vitae, write a compelling cover letter, understand your social media profile and how to use it to market yourself, how to network, how to budget and plan for your projected associate salary, and finally how to narrow down the location(s) in which you want to live and work.

Actions a new dentist should take once they have obtained their California dental license, and regulatory and legal considerations of which every dentist must be aware.

CDA offers a variety of tools to help you easily navigate the transition into your new profession and your early years.

When it comes to dental care, patient satisfaction is key, However, despite our best intentions, things may not always go…

The interview process provides an opportunity for both the practice owner and associate candidate to assess whether their working relationship will be compatible. Get tips in this resource.