7 Things Doctors and Dentists Should Review Before Signing an Employment Contract

The offer looks great. But have you read the fine print?

After years of education, training, and professional development, receiving a new job offer is exciting.

Whether you’re completing residency, joining a dental practice, or transitioning to a new healthcare organization, it’s natural to focus on your salary, benefits, and start date.

But your employment agreement deserves just as much attention.

For physicians and dentists, employment contracts often include provisions that can affect compensation, professional independence, and future career opportunities.

Here are seven areas worth understanding before you sign.

1. Base salary and productivity compensation

A competitive salary is important, but it may only represent part of your total compensation.

Physician contracts frequently include productivity incentives based on relative value units (RVUs), collections, or quality metrics.

Dental contracts may include compensation tied to production or collections.

Before signing, understand how compensation is calculated, when bonuses are paid, and whether certain payments are discretionary.

2. Non-compete restrictions

Some healthcare employment agreements contain restrictive covenants that may limit where you can practice after leaving an employer.

These provisions may specify geographic restrictions, time periods, or particular types of employment.

Whether a restriction is enforceable depends on applicable law and the circumstances.

Understanding the language before signing is especially important if you hope to continue practicing in the same community.

3. Malpractice insurance and tail coverage

Malpractice coverage is an important consideration for healthcare professionals.

Your agreement should explain what type of coverage is provided and who is responsible for maintaining it.

If your employer provides claims-made coverage, you should understand whether extended reporting coverage, commonly called tail coverage, may be necessary when employment ends.

The cost and responsibility for that coverage can be significant.

4. Termination provisions

What happens if you decide to leave?

What happens if the employer terminates your position?

Your contract may address notice periods, termination without cause, severance, and other continuing obligations.

These terms deserve attention before the employment relationship begins.

5. Signing bonuses and repayment obligations

Signing bonuses and relocation assistance can make an offer attractive.

However, some agreements require repayment if employment ends before a specified date.

Understanding those conditions helps you evaluate the offer beyond the initial payment.

6. Call coverage and scheduling expectations

For physicians, call requirements can significantly affect work-life balance.

For dentists, scheduling expectations, weekend coverage, and production requirements may be important.

Review whether these responsibilities are clearly defined and consistent with what was discussed during the interview process.

7. Partnership and ownership opportunities

Some employers discuss future partnership or practice ownership.

If this is an important part of your decision, understand whether the agreement establishes a specific pathway or simply describes a possibility.

Eligibility, timing, valuation, and buy-in requirements may need additional clarification.

Why an attorney review matters

Employment contracts are not simply administrative paperwork.

They establish legal obligations that may continue beyond your time with an employer.

An attorney can help explain the terms, identify provisions requiring closer attention, and discuss potential areas for negotiation.

The goal isn’t necessarily to change every provision.

It’s to understand what you’re agreeing to.

Ready to review your employment agreement?

Whether you’re accepting your first position or considering a career transition, reviewing your contract before signing can provide valuable clarity.

Schedule a free consultation with Attorney Arij, Esq. to discuss your physician or dentist employment agreement and understand the provisions that may affect your professional future.

Frequently Asked Questions

Should physicians have an attorney review their employment contracts?

A legal review can help physicians understand compensation, restrictive covenants, malpractice coverage, and termination obligations before signing.

Should dentists negotiate their employment agreements?

Certain provisions may be negotiable depending on the practice, position, and circumstances. Reviewing the agreement can help identify appropriate questions and potential revisions.

What is the most important part of a physician employment contract?

Compensation, restrictive covenants, termination rights, and malpractice coverage are among the provisions that commonly deserve careful review.