
Oregon Dentist Contract Attorney
A Glimpse of Oregon: The Beaver State Beckons
Oregon, also known as the Beaver State, offers an enchanting mix of bustling city life and tranquil, picturesque landscapes. From the verdant forests of the Cascade Range to the vibrant streets of Portland, there’s a world waiting to be explored. To get a feel of Oregon’s multifaceted allure, take a virtual tour via Travel Oregon, the state’s official travel guide.
Setting up Your Dental Practice in Oregon
Dentistry Opportunities in Oregon
Oregon offers a robust professional environment for dentists. The combination of its urban hubs like Portland, Salem, and Eugene, and the underserved rural areas creates a diverse set of opportunities for dental practitioners.
Dental Licensing in Oregon
As you prepare to move, it’s vital to familiarize yourself with Oregon’s licensure process and the continuing education requirements for dentists. Detailed information can be found on the Oregon Board of Dentistry website.
Oregon Dental Association
Membership in the Oregon Dental Association is an asset. This organization offers a host of benefits, including networking opportunities, professional development resources, and updates on the latest innovations in dentistry.
Immersing Yourself in the Oregon Lifestyle
Urban or Rural: Living in Oregon
Whether you prefer the lively urban life of Portland with its quirky coffee shops and thriving art scene or the serene countryside life amidst Oregon’s natural beauty, the state has you covered.
Outdoor Adventure in Oregon
For those who love the outdoors, Oregon offers an array of activities. You can explore the trails in Crater Lake National Park, sail along the Columbia River, or hike the Pacific Crest Trail.
A Blend of Cultures
Oregon’s cultural scene is as diverse as its landscape. From Native American powwows to vibrant music festivals and a foodie paradise, the state’s cultural offerings will keep you engaged.
Wrapping Up
Moving to Oregon as a dentist promises not only professional growth but also a lifestyle rich in experiences. The state offers a perfect blend of urban and rural living, cultural vibrancy, and plenty of opportunities for outdoor adventures. In Oregon, the work-life balance isn’t just a concept; it’s a way of life.
Important Terms in a Medical Contract
Non-Compete Clauses
Dentists with non-competes in their dentist employment agreements were initially considered restraints of trade. Thus, they were invalid in public policy at common law. However, many restraints on trade incident to healthcare contracts were upheld based on the rule of reason. Thus, restrictive covenants between dentists not to compete after the termination of employment are generally enforceable as long as it is reasonable.
However, there are a few states which prohibit non-compete clauses. Please review your state laws for non-compete rules and regulations to see the specific rules for your state.
The general test for reasonableness of these clauses holds that on termination of employment, a covenant that restrains an employee from competing with his former employer is termed reasonable if:
- The restraint is not more than required to protect the employer,
- It does not inflict any untold hardships on the employer, and
- The restraint is not detrimental to the public.
In one such case, a provider restricted from practicing his specialty after leaving the hospital where he worked had their non-competition clause considered unreasonable. The judge ruled that this would be harsh if enforced because there are only a few other hospitals in the area with subspecialties like this one. They needed to protect themselves by preventing transfers of knowledge between providers.
Courts generally find that these clauses were only enforceable if there was some legitimate interest from the employer and would damage their ability to find qualified staff later or hurt public health care. Those needing legal advice should consult an attorney before signing any contract. Hence, they know what rights may come into play when things go wrong with their current job, regardless of whether non-compete reviews by Ohio dental associate contract lawyers seem necessary at first glance! We also offer contract review for all states, including Oklahoma Dental Contract Review and Pennsylvania Dental Contract Review.
Dentist Contract Checklist Reviews
Employee or dental contracts are all unique. However, nearly all medical and dental professional contracts for dental providers should contain several essential terms. If these contracts do not spell out the critical terms, disputes can arise when there is a disagreement between parties regarding the details of the specific term. For instance, if the doctor is expecting to work Monday through Thursday and the employer thinks it’s Monday through Friday. Still, the particular workdays are absent from the contract—who prevails?
Spelling out the details of a dentist’s job is crucial to avoid healthcare contract conflicts during the employment contract term. Below is a checklist of important terms that contracts should contain (and a brief explanation of each term generally discussed in negotiations):
- Practice Services Offered: What are the clinical patient care duties? Is there time for a review of administrative tasks? How many patients is the dentist expected to see? Is an Orthodontist or Pediatric Dentist, Periodontist on site?
- Patient Care Schedule: What days and hours are employees expected to provide patient care per week? What is the surgery schedule? Are employees involved in the planning of their schedules?
- Locations: Which facilities will the employer schedule the employees to provide care at (outpatient clinic, surgical sites, in-patient services, etc.)?
- Outside Activities: Are employees permitted to pursue moonlighting or locum tenens opportunities? Does a physician need permission from the employer before accepting medicine-related positions?
- Disability Insurance: Is disability insurance provided (short-term and long-term)?
- Professional License: Will the practice offer reimbursement for licensing? Will an advisor be provided?
- Practice Call Schedule: How often is the employed medical and dental professionals on call (after-hours office call, ASC, hospital call (if applicable))?
- Electronic Medical Records (EMR): Will the employer provide training resources or time to review the system before delivering care?
- Base Compensation: What is the annual base salary? What is the pay period frequency? Does the base compensation increase over the term of the agreement? Is there a yearly review or quarterly review of compensation? Is there a group management relationship?
- Productivity Compensation: If there is productivity compensation, how is it calculated (wRVU, net collections, patient encounters, etc.)? Is there an annual review?
- Practice Benefits Summary: Are standard benefits offered: health, vision, dental, life, retirement, etc.? Who is the advisor of human resource benefits?
- Paid Time Off: How much time off does the job offer? What is the split between vacation, sick days, CME attendance, and holidays? Is there an HR guide?
- Continuing Dental Education: What is the annual allowance for CME expenses, and how much time off do they offer?
- Dues and Fees: Which business financial expenses are covered (board licensing, DEA registration, privileging, ADA membership, Board review)?
- Relocation Assistance: Is relocation assistance offered? What are the repayment obligations if the contract is terminated before the expiration of the initial term?
- Signing Bonus: Is an employee signing bonus offered? When is it paid? Does the employee have to pay it back if they leave before they complete the initial term? Are student loans paid back? Is there a forgiveness period for student loans?
- Professional Liability Insurance: What type of liability insurance (malpractice) the employer offers: claims made, occurrence, self-insurance? License and litigation defense? Can you negotiate tail?
- Tail Insurance: If tail insurance is necessary, who pays for it when the agreement terminates?
- Term: What is the length of the initial term? Does the agreement automatically renew after the initial term?
- For Cause Termination: What are the grounds for immediate termination for cause? Is a review provided to dispute the termination?
- Without Cause Termination: How much notice is required for either party to terminate the agreement without cause?
- Practice Post-Termination Payment Obligations: Will the physician receive production bonuses after the agreement terminates?
- Non-Compete: How long does the non-compete last, and what is the prohibited geographic scope?
- Financial Retirement: Is a financial retirement plan offered?
- Non-Solicitation: How long does it last, and does it cover employees, clients, patients, and business associates?
- Notice: How is the notice given? Via hand delivery, email, US mail, etc.? Does it have to be provided to the employer’s attorney?
- Practice Assignment: Can the employer assign the agreement? Will the healthcare agreement require ongoing compliance with a new employer?
- Alternative Dispute Resolution: If there is a conflict regarding the contract, will mediation or arbitration be utilized? What is the standard attorney review process for disputes? Who decides which attorney oversees the process?
Dental Law Firm for an Oregon Dental Contract
Coming into a new organization with a favorable contract can put the dentist in a positive financial situation for years to come. Our contract attorney dentist employment agreement can also offer occasional dental product reviews. Before you sign the most important contract of your life, turn to an experienced Oregon Dentist Contract Attorney for assistance.