Dentists who practice with spouses or relatives: a pilot study of practitioners in Iowa

Of 130 practicing dentists in Iowa surveyed, 73, or 6% of the practicing dentists in that state, responded that they worked with a total of 108 relatives. Half of the relatives were the dentists’ spouses. One to ten relatives worked in each office. Overall, the dentists were satisfied with the associations and expected them to continue. Most dentists had informally defined associations, and 10% had written contracts. Dentists named “office policy and organization” most often and “finances” least often as motives behind the associations and “personal growth” most often and “recognition” least often as a satisfaction with the association. The respondents suggested 567 ideas for other dentists considering such associations.