Beyond the paycheck: How dental professionals can master benefits negotiation
According to the 2024 Dental Salary Survey by DentalPost, dental hygienists’ satisfaction with their overall compensation package, including benefits, dropped by 12% compared to the previous year. The same survey reports that “better benefits” is the third most common reason for dental hygienists to seek new employment in 2024.1
Avoid joining the ranks of the many hygienists who are dissatisfied with their benefits and negotiate a compensation package that fits your needs during the hiring process. Here are some practical strategies to help you achieve this.
Negotiate your pay and schedule first
Before you discuss benefits, you need to address all aspects of the compensation and schedule. Besides the amount of your compensation, you can negotiate how you’re going to be paid: commission, hourly, or a combination of the two. If you prefer commission-based pay to hourly, mention that. Additionally, ask about evaluation and raise structure before you accept employment. You could negotiate an annual raise for a specific amount.
Another aspect to discuss is the expected weekly work hours. Unfortunately, it’s common in dentistry to reduce the hygienist’s hours when the schedule is light. Address the issue during the hiring process and request a minimum number of hours per week, regardless of patient flow. Time allowed for each patient or procedure is another essential subject.
Determine your value as an employee
Knowing what you can bring to the practice will help you evaluate the compensation and benefits you should receive. Take note of your years of industry experience, education level, skills, leadership experience, licenses, and certifications.
Are you certified in administering local anesthesia or using laser therapy in a state where not all hygienists are? Do you have experience with modern equipment, such as intraoral and 3D scanners, oral cancer assessment devices, or AI-powered software? Were you a lead hygienist in your previous practice? What protocols did you implement in other dental offices and how did that help daily operations, production, and patient experience?
Be familiar with common benefits in dentistry
Check recent dental classified advertisements to see what benefits and bonus structures are offered. Ask colleagues who work in other dental practices what benefits they receive or post a question in a dental hygienist group on social media. Keep in mind that small dental practices may not be able to offer the same benefits as a large dental corporation.
Be prepared to request a higher pay rate if benefits are limited or have alternatives if your top choices are not offered. Also, note that a full compensation package is typically offered to full-time employees; however, many practices extend some or all benefits to part-time team members.
Know what benefits are important to you
If your spouse’s company offers great health insurance, you may not need to sign up for your employer’s policy. Instead, you may prefer longer paid vacation or transport reimbursement. Perhaps you value continuing education and career development, so you could ask your practice to cover educational expenses beyond the minimum CE hours required by your state. The point is, decide what your non-negotiable benefits are and what you can live without, that way you’ll be better prepared to negotiate.
Be creative with benefits choices
The standard benefits are health, dental, and vision insurance, 401(k) or other retirement contributions, vacation and holiday pay, uniform, and continuing education reimbursement. However, there are countless other benefits that the employer may not have thought about but may be willing to offer if you request them.
Anything from monthly massages or chiropractic services, fitness membership, association dues, sick or volunteer days, commissions for new patients you bring in, stock options, and more. If your employer doesn’t offer a specific benefit, such as health insurance, ask for an allowance to help you obtain it independently.
Don’t be afraid to ask for different benefits
There is never any harm in asking. The worst that can happen is not getting what you ask for. Do not let fear of rejection cost you the pay and benefits you deserve. Remember that the best time to negotiate is when you receive a job offer. It’s much more difficult to change your pay, benefits, or schedule after you’ve been hired.
Here is a list of benefits to consider asking for, and it’s by no means all inclusive: sign-on bonus, health insurance or allowance, free or discounted dental care, vision insurance, disability insurance, life insurance, retirement contributions, paid vacation, holiday pay, paid sick days, parental leave, paid bereavement leave, personalized work hours, early vacation pay eligibility, early benefits start date, continuing education, tuition reimbursement, personal equipment such as loupes and saddle chair, organized dentistry membership, fitness membership, massage therapy, parking, transportation reimbursement, and commissions for bringing in new patients.
Get all agreements in writing
Ensure that all the details of the job offer are in writing. Keep any email communication regarding benefits, pay, schedule, weekly hours, and so on. This will help avoid misunderstandings or issues later. When it comes to small private dental practices, it may not be customary to have a formal contract for each employee, but you should still request one.
Ultimately, remember that no job is perfect, and compensation is not everything. There are nonquantifiable benefits that might be more important to you, such as a short commute, your ideal schedule, a learning opportunity, or a supportive team. Maybe this job is good enough for now and is a stepping stone for a great opportunity in the future. Decide what matters to you and what brings you happiness and balance.
Reference
1. 2024 Dental Salary Survey Report. DentalPost and Endeavor Business Media. 2024. https://amplify360.com/hubfs/salarysurvey2024/ss2024-salarysurveymain.pdf
