The associateship agreement typically contains the following elements:

- • statement that defines the nature of the associateship relationship. Often, the statement will • statement that defines the nature of the associateship relationship. Often, the statement will contain the phrase "independent contractor" if the associate is not a true employee of the practice. If the associate is responsible for paying their own taxes, the contract will usually require the associate to provide proof-of-payment to the host dentist so they cannot be held liable if the associate fails to pay their taxes.
- • obligations of the host dentist to provide necessary facilities, equipment, supplies and • obligations of the host dentist to provide necessary facilities, equipment, supplies and administrative support to the associate.
- • obligations of the associate dentist to maintain all licenses and memberships required to • obligations of the associate dentist to maintain all licenses and memberships required to legally practise dentistry in the host's practice.
- • hours and days the associate is expected to work, and how annual holidays, vacations, • hours and days the associate is expected to work, and how annual holidays, vacations, maternity leave and other exceptions are to be handled.
- • description of how patients will be allocated to the associate, and the discretion of the host to • description of how patients will be allocated to the associate, and the discretion of the host to request that the associate provide treatment to particular patients (i.e. emergency).
- • of the host dentist to market and promote the associate's presence in the practice • of the host dentist to market and promote the associate's presence in the practice for the purpose of establishing a suitable patient flow to the associate.
- • of the associate dentist to market and promote the host's practice for the purpose • of the associate dentist to market and promote the host's practice for the purpose of maintaining suitable patient flow to the practice.
- • the associate will be compensated, when advances will be forwarded by the host, and how • the associate will be compensated, when advances will be forwarded by the host, and how often accounts reconciliation occurs.
- • to both parties with respect to record keeping and reporting for the purpose of • to both parties with respect to record keeping and reporting for the purpose of determining compensation.
- • of the host for billing and collecting for work performed by the associate. • of the host for billing and collecting for work performed by the associate.
- • of the associate to independently exercise their professional judgment when diagnosing • of the associate to independently exercise their professional judgment when diagnosing patient treatment needs.
- • referrals of patients to other practitioners will be handled. • referrals of patients to other practitioners will be handled.
- • provisions relating to the conduct and obligations of the associate, like dress code or • provisions relating to the conduct and obligations of the associate, like dress code or abiding by management decisions.
- • restrictive covenant, non-competition and confidential information clause that protects the • restrictive covenant, non-competition and confidential information clause that protects the host's ownership of the practice and patient base.
- • right of the associate dentist to make an offer to purchase the host's practice if the host • right of the associate dentist to make an offer to purchase the host's practice if the host dentist chooses to sell.
- • the host or associate may terminate the associateship with cause (i.e. breach of contract by • the host or associate may terminate the associateship with cause (i.e. breach of contract by the other party).
- • the agreement may be terminated by either party without cause (i.e. three month notice). • the agreement may be terminated by either party without cause (i.e. three month notice).
- • clause protecting each from professional liability in event of malpractice or poor treatment by • clause protecting each from professional liability in event of malpractice or poor treatment by the other party.