How to hire a family dentist

How to hire a family dentist, step by step

Here's a step-by-step family dentist hiring guide:

• Step 1: Identify your hiring needs
• Step 2: Create an ideal candidate profile
• Step 3: Make a budget
• Step 4: Write a family dentist job description
• Step 5: Post your job
• Step 6: Interview candidates
• Step 7: Send a job offer and onboard your new family dentist
• Step 8: Go through the hiring process checklist

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1. Identify your hiring needs

   Before you start hiring a family dentist, identify what type of worker you actually need. Certain positions might call for a full-time employee, while others can be done by a part-time worker or contractor.

   Determine employee vs contractor status

   Is the person you're thinking of hiring a US citizen or green card holder?

   Yes

   No

   You should also consider the ideal background you'd like them a family dentist to have before you start to hire. For example, what industry or field would you like them to have experience in, what level of seniority or education does the job require, and how much it'll cost to hire a family dentist that fits the bill.

   This list shows salaries for various types of family dentists.

   Type of Family Dentist	Description	Hourly rate
   Family Dentist	Dentists diagnose and treat problems with patients’ teeth, gums, and related parts of the mouth. They provide advice and instruction on taking care of the teeth and gums and on diet choices that affect oral health.	$42-130
   Dentist/Owner	A Dentist/Owner is a person who is qualified to treat diseases and conditions that affect the teeth and gums of patients. They also are the owner of a dentist office.	$44-116
   Dentist	Dentists are physicians specializing in oral health. The main responsibilities of dentists are to diagnose oral diseases and treat them with the help of different equipment and technologies... Show more	$47-104

   Show more

2. Create an ideal candidate profile

   Common skills:

   • Patients
   • Front Desk
   • Oral Surgery
   • Patient Care
   • Treatment Planning
   • Dental Care
   • Dentures
   • Chair Side
   • Medical History
   • Insurance Claims
   • Dental Procedures
   • Oral Hygiene

   Responsibilities:

   • Manage early and moderate periodontal disease, evaluate the results of periodontal treatment and establish maintenance program.
   • Work in a high call volume office answering calls from patients with questions regarding overdue and unpaid accounts.
   • Manage early and moderate periodontal disease, evaluate the results of periodontal treatment and establish maintenance program.
   • Provide Invisalign treatment to correct dental alignment.

3. Make a budget

   Including a salary range in your family dentist job description is a great way to entice the best and brightest candidates. A family dentist salary can vary based on several factors:

   • Location. For example, family dentists' average salary in west virginia is 38% less than in alaska.
   • Seniority. Entry-level family dentists earn 67% less than senior-level family dentists.
   • Certifications. A family dentist with a few certifications under their belt will likely demand a higher salary.
   • Company. Working for a prestigious company or an exciting start-up can make a huge difference in a family dentist's salary.

   Average family dentist salary

   $155,979yearly

   $74.99 hourly rate

   ---

   Entry-level family dentist salary

   $89,000 yearly salary

   Updated December 27, 2025

4. Writing a family dentist job description

   A family dentist job description should include a summary of the role, required skills, and a list of responsibilities. It's also good to include a salary range and the first name of the hiring manager. To help get you started, here's an example of a family dentist job description:

   Family dentist job description example

   Now Offering
   

   • $2,500 monthly stipend
   • $25,000+ Signing Bonus
   • Licensing expense reimbursement

   
   

   Are you ready to take your career to the next level of success? We are actively seeking a passionate General Dentist to join our rapidly growing PPO and fee-for-service dental practice. (Part- time or full -time is available) This exciting opportunity calls for a dynamic dentist who is motivated and committed to providing quality care. As a valued provider, you will enjoy the freedom to practice your own style of dentistry while continually benefiting from the support services offered by Elite Dental Partners, allowing you to concentrate on patient-centric services and clinical excellence.

   New Graduates Welcome

   H1B or TN Visa sponsorship available

   Benefits:

   • Competitive Compensation Plan
   • Medical, Dental, & Vision Insurance
   • 401K
   • Professional Development and Mentorship
   • Robust CE, including Invisalign, implant and endo courses

   To learn more, please visit our website at;

   General Dentist Primary Job Responsibilities:

   • Perform General dentistry services, including the diagnosis and treatment of diseases, injuries, and malformations of teeth, gums and related oral structures.
   • Examine patients to determine the nature of the condition affecting the patient, utilizing x-rays, dental instruments and other diagnostic procedures.
   • Clean, fill, extract and replace teeth, using rotary and hand instruments, dental appliances, medications and surgical implements.
   • Provide preventive dental services and education in oral and dental hygiene.
   • Supervise office staff, including hygienists, dental assistants, receptionists and other office staff.
   • Coordinate laboratory services for the dental office.
   • Adheres to safety protocols and processes including but not limited to ensuring protective equipment is utilized and OSHA/Bloodborne pathogen requirements are followed.
   • Participate in morning meetings, chart reviews and routine office meetings.
   • All other duties and responsibilities allowed under applicable state laws and regulations.

   
   

   Required Skills:

   • DDS or DMD degree, licensed in state in which practicing or have the abil ity to obtain licensure upon graduation.

   
   
   

   PI

   Copy this example

   

5. Post your job

   To find family dentists for your business, try out a few different recruiting strategies:

   • Consider internal talent. One of the most important talent pools for any company is its current employees.
   • Ask for referrals. Reach out to friends, family members, and your current work to ask if they know any family dentists they would recommend.
   • Recruit at local colleges. Attend job fairs at local colleges to recruit entry-level family dentists with the right educational background.
   • Social media platforms. LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter have more than 3.5 billion users, and they're a great place for company branding and reaching potential job candidates.

   Post your job online:

   • Post your family dentist job on Zippia to find and recruit family dentist candidates who meet your exact specifications.
   • Use field-specific websites such as healthcarejobsite, health jobs nationwide, hospitalcareers, medreps.com.
   • Post a job on free websites.

6. Interview candidates

   During your first interview to recruit family dentists, engage with candidates to learn about their interest in the role and experience in the field. During the following interview, you'll be able to go into more detail about the company, the position, and the responsibilities.

   Remember to include a few questions that allow candidates to expand on their strengths in their own words. Asking about their unique skills might reveal things you'd miss otherwise. At this point, good candidates can move on to the technical interview.

   The right interview questions can help you assess a candidate's hard skills, behavioral intelligence, and soft skills.

7. Send a job offer and onboard your new family dentist

   Once you've selected the best family dentist candidate for the job, it's time to write an offer letter. In addition to salary, this letter should include details about the benefits and perks you offer the candidate. Ensuring that your offer is competitive is essential, as qualified candidates may be considering other job opportunities. The candidate may wish to negotiate the terms of the offer, and you should be open to discussion. After you reach an agreement, the final step is formalizing the agreement with a contract.

   You should also follow up with applicants who don't get the job with an email letting them know that you've filled the position.

   To prepare for the new family dentist first day, you should share an onboarding schedule with them that covers their first period on the job. You should also quickly complete any necessary paperwork, such as employee action forms and onboarding documents like I-9, benefits enrollment, and federal and state tax forms. Finally, Human Resources must ensure a new employee file is created for internal record keeping.

8. Go through the hiring process checklist

   • Determine employee type (full-time, part-time, contractor, etc.)
   • Submit a job requisition form to the HR department
   • Define job responsibilities and requirements
   • Establish budget and timeline
   • Determine hiring decision makers for the role
   • Write job description
   • Post job on job boards, company website, etc.
   • Promote the job internally
   • Process applications through applicant tracking system
   • Review resumes and cover letters
   • Shortlist candidates for screening
   • Hold phone/virtual interview screening with first round of candidates
   • Conduct in-person interviews with top candidates from first round
   • Score candidates based on weighted criteria (e.g., experience, education, background, cultural fit, skill set, etc.)
   • Conduct background checks on top candidates
   • Check references of top candidates
   • Consult with HR and hiring decision makers on job offer specifics
   • Extend offer to top candidate(s)
   • Receive formal job offer acceptance and signed employment contract
   • Inform other candidates that the position has been filled
   • Set and communicate onboarding schedule to new hire(s)
   • Complete new hire paperwork (i9, benefits enrollment, tax forms, etc.)

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