An attractive salary and fringe benefit package is key to recruiting and retaining qualified staff. In recent years, the incomes of dentists in private practice have increased substantially, making it more difficult for clinics to compete for the limited number of dental school graduates each year. It is important to be aware of the salaries dentists generally command and to determine what you can afford to pay. Higher pay generally attracts applicants who are more experienced and qualified.

Typically, dental clinics that are established as a department of another organization must incorporate that organization’s fringe benefit package. Under these circumstances, the fringe benefits that the clinic offers are superior to those offered in the private sector. Dental clinics can use this advantage in their recruitment and retention efforts.

Ideally, information about market wages should come from private dental offices and safety net dental clinics in your community. The salary.com Web site may also be useful in understanding the marketplace.

A national survey of federally funded community health centers (CHCs) assessed sources of dentist dissatisfaction, including salaries, that affect retention at CHCs. Approximately 70 percent of surveyed dentists intended to remain in CHCs. Salary was not significantly associated with intention to leave. The results of this study suggest that factors other than salary and benefits affect the retention of CHC dentists. The study found that years of experience and length of service in a CHC were major determinants and that dentists who did not perceive themselves to be completely free to exercise their professional judgment in the treatment of their patients were twice as likely to indicate an intention to leave CHC dentistry as were those who believed they were completely free to exercise their judgment. Dentists who expressed an altruistic motivation for treating the underserved were also more likely to remain in CHC dentistry.

A report on the survey is available.

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