Corporate vs. private dentistry — which is right for you?
If you’re about to enter the dental workforce, or are thinking of changing jobs, you may be considering roles at different types of practices. So, what’s the difference between working in corporate dentistry vs. a private practice?
At a high level, the main difference between corporate and private dental practices is how they’re set up. Corporate dental offices are managed by a dental service organization (DSO). Private practices are owned, managed, and operated by one or more dentists.
The rise of DSOs has many dental assistants questioning which kind of practice they should work for. To determine the best setting for you, prioritize your personal and career goals and find a practice that will help you achieve them. Here are some important aspects to consider when choosing between working in corporate dentistry or a private practice.
Corporate dentistry (DSO)
Benefits
Some advantages of working on the corporate side of dentistry may include larger staffs, comprehensive benefit packages, increased budgets to invest in continuing education and professional growth opportunities, and more structured workdays. DSOs likely also have access to newer technologies that streamline patient care. A big advantage for dental assistants in DSOs is having more support from a larger team, which spreads the work around and reduces the individual workload on one person.
If you are someone who has a lot of responsibilities outside of work, a role in corporate dentistry might provide you with a more flexible schedule. Compared to private practices, DSOs typically offer more predictable schedules that may help promote a better work-life balance.
Additionally, DSOs have more designated roles for each area of the practice, so dental assistants have more time to focus on the clinical side of operations. For instance, in a private practice, dental assistants may be expected to monitor inventory and order supplies, while in a DSO, there might be dedicated staff members to manage office equipment.
Challenges
Working at a DSO may present challenges such as limited autonomy for dental professionals and less room for collaboration. DSOs aim to maximize efficiency, which may limit your facetime with patients since appointments are on tighter timelines. Dental assistants at DSOs may also face challenges finding a balance between meeting quotas and dedicating extra time to each patient.
Compensation
According to data from DANB’s Dental Assistants Salary and Satisfaction Survey, Certified Dental Assistants (CDAs) earn a median pay of $26.91 per hour at DSOs. Non-certified dental assistants working at DSOs reported earning $21.25 per hour.
Dental practice wages depend on factors such as location and experience. Dental assistants in cities typically report higher wages than those in rural areas due to an increased cost of living and patient demand.
Private practice
Benefits
Dental assistants at private practices might have closer relationships with colleagues due to smaller team sizes. Similarly, they often have high patient retention rates that lead to increased patient-provider trust. Smaller team sizes also allow dental assistants to work with others in the practice to determine the best workflow. This means there is more room for team-based decision-making to solve problems as they arise.
A dental assistant who values collaborative environments, high autonomy, and strong patient connections would generally enjoy working in a private practice setting. Private practices typically have strong team cultures that promote a sense of comfort and camaraderie, especially on busy days. Dental assistants in private practices may also have more responsibilities outside of clinical care, so they can gain more experience in areas like office management or insurance.
Challenges
While it varies by practice and owner, some of the notable obstacles dental assistants may face working in a private practice include larger workloads, fewer robust benefits, and less flexibility. Private practices generally operate with lower budgets, so new equipment and technology can take longer to implement. Additionally, patient appointments, cleanup, and next-day preparations may go beyond the posted business hours of the practice due to smaller staff sizes.
Compensation
According to DANB’s Salary survey, Certified Dental Assistants earn a median pay of $26.50 an hour at a private practice, which is slightly less than at DSOs. Non-certified dental assistants working in private practice reported median wages of $23.33 an hour.
In addition to location and experience, earning DANB’s CDA certification and other credentials can lead to higher wages and more opportunities for raises.