title: A regional survey of dentists' preferences for hiring a dental associate.
abstract: 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.
authors.affiliation: Department of Community Dentistry, School of Dental Medicine, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH 44106-4905, USA. jal10@case.edu
authors.forename: Meghan C
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: Halley
authors.forename: James A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Lalumandier
authors.forename: Jonathan D
authors.initials: JD
authors.lastname: Walker
authors.forename: James H
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Houston
mesh_terms: D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D002140:California; D002983:Clinical Competence; D003815:Dentists / Q000523:psychology*; D004497:Education, Dental; D004526:Efficiency; D005260:Female; D005792:General Practice, Dental / Q000193:education / Q000458:organization & administration; D006801:Humans; D007061:Idaho; D007396:Internship and Residency; D007398:Interpersonal Relations; D008297:Male; D009820:Ohio; D010318:Partnership Practice, Dental / Q000458:organization & administration*; D010549:Personal Satisfaction; D010551:Personality; D010560:Personnel Selection; D012456:Salaries and Fringe Benefits; D012737:Sex Factors; D014589:Utah