Over the past decade of working within the dental industry, I have heard many dental nurses express a preference for either corporate or private practice for a number of reasons; they believe that private offers bonuses and corporate doesn’t, or corporate has modern technology while private is outdated; one gives more progression and the other is too slow. In reality, these features are not specific to whether a practice is privately owned or part of a corporation – they can be true of either. Certain features of practices, whether corporate or private, are points to consider when looking for a job, as the answers can lead to your job satisfaction and the work/life balance that suits you.
So, what do you need to consider?
Key elements
With a rise in dental nurses feeling discontented in their roles, often for a few key reasons, it’s important that you look into:
- Pay – Is the practice able to offer you a wage that will give you a good quality of life? Is the pay reviewed annually, with the possibility for increases in line with rises in the cost of living and inflation? This is a crucial consideration, especially as it can vary from practice to practice, let alone between private and corporate organisations.
- Benefits – What benefits are available? This can be anything from yearly bonus structures to target-driven incentives, or even cycle-to-work schemes. Look at how the practice recognises its staff and their hard work, and consider if it is a type of recognition that you would be happy with in the long term.
- Working conditions – Does the practice have a high staff turnover? If so, why? Does the practice seem well-run and safe to work in? These, and other similar questions, can be difficult to find answers to, but they’re crucial if you want to make sure you aren’t walking into trouble.
Points to consider
Aside from the main elements listed above, there will also be a few other factors which, while they may not make or break your decision, could still be part of it. For example:
- Working hours – Are the hours suited to your lifestyle? Are they something you can commit to in the long term? It’s important to consider any late-night finishes and occasional weekends you will be expected to work, and whether they are something you’ll be able – and happy – to commit to for the foreseeable future, as you may not be able to change them once employed.
- Upskilling – Does the practice support/provide upskilling opportunities, such as by paying for courses or helping you to utilise your knowledge in practice?
- Progression – Is there room for growth? It may not be up the ladder, but is there scope in the practice for you to gain further experience to help your career?
- Areas of interest – Does the practice offer services that would give you satisfaction to participate in providing? Can it provide the necessary training and opportunities to gain experience, for example in implants or facial aesthetics?
What is the choice?
Ultimately, whether the practice you are considering working in is a private or corporate establishment matters much less than what the practice can offer to help you to grow and find job satisfaction. Just because it is a private company, it does not mean you are guaranteed better benefits or pay. Similarly, the fact that a practice is part of a corporation does not guarantee progression or modern scope. It is important to view the practice policies, to raise questions in interviews and correspondence, and to thoroughly read, and negotiate, your contract to ensure it suits you and your needs. In the end, the choice is not about private or corporate practice – it’s about what can meet your requirements and give you job satisfaction. That can be achieved anywhere if you are appropriately prepared.
By Natasha Garthwaite BSc, RDN
