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Updated: Jul 4, 2026

Oral Health Assessment by Lay Personnel for Older Adults
Published on: February 2, 2020
A regional survey of dentists' preferences for hiring a dental associate
Meghan C Halley1, James A Lalumandier, Jonathan D Walker
1Department of Community Dentistry, School of Dental Medicine, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH 44106-4905, USA. jal10@case.edu
Background:
For many new dental school graduates, working as an associate may be an attractive option. To provide practical information for new job-seeking dentists, the authors conducted a survey to assess dentists' preferences with regard to hiring an associate.
Methods:
The authors mailed surveys to a random sample of 3,875 general dentists in four states that asked questions about the characteristics they preferred when hiring an associate. Five hundred seventy-four dentists (14.8 percent) responded to the survey.
Results:
The results of this survey showed a wide variation in the characteristics dentists prefer when hiring an associate, but interpersonal skills appear to be at least as important as technical skills for new dentists' success.
Conclusions:
Opportunities for associate positions appear to be available to new dentists who have a range of skills, experience and training. Practical Implications. These results provide new dentists with information regarding the variety of career opportunities available for associates.
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