From Locum Dentist to Locumpreneur: How Dr. Vikram Ravoory Built a More Adaptable Career

For Dr. Vikram Ravoory, locum tenens dentistry started as a practical solution to a temporary problem. He was between jobs, figuring out where he wanted to practice next, and needed a way to keep working without committing to another long-term position.

A three-to-four-week locum tenens assignment gave him exactly that: guaranteed daily minimums, schedule flexibility, travel and housing reimbursement, and support from Barton Associates to help negotiate the details.

What he did not expect was how much the experience would shape the dentist he became.

Years and multiple practices later, Dr. Rvoory sees locum tenens as much more than a way to fill gaps between jobs. Working in different offices exposed him to new teams, technology, patient populations, business models, and approaches to care. It also helped him think differently about his career, his finances, and eventually, what he wanted from a permanent practice.

We spoke with Dr. Ravoory about becoming what we affectionately call a “locumpreneur,” what dentists can learn from practicing in different environments, and why sometimes the best way to find the right practice is to work there first.

What drew you to dentistry in the first place?

Dr. Ravoory: I love the fact that dentistry is based on trust between the dentist and patient. It relies heavily on communication, but it also requires hand skills.

People will travel far for a dentist they like and feel comfortable with. That relationship is something that makes dentistry different from other healthcare professions.

Is your career today what you pictured when you were studying dentistry?

Dr. Ravoory: Dentistry has changed a lot in the last 10 years. When I was studying to get into dentistry, it wasn’t as saturated. It was more private-practice based, and the private equity and DSO market wasn’t as common as it is today.

Part of me expected that by now I would have worked for an extended period in one office and established myself in an area. I haven’t necessarily taken that path, but I think the experiences I’ve gotten from working in multiple offices have actually benefited me.

How did you discover locum tenens dentistry?

Dr. Ravoory: After my first job following school, I wanted to take some time to figure out where I wanted to work, but I still needed income.

I found a three-to-four-week locum assignment that offered a lot of benefits: daily minimums, flexible scheduling, reimbursement for housing and travel, and Barton as the intermediary helping me negotiate contract terms. I wasn’t locked into a long-term contract.

It was the perfect job for that period in my life.

When did locums become more than a temporary job?

Dr. Ravoory: I started realizing how easy it can be for healthcare professionals to become very familiar with their regular environment and lose some of their ability to adapt to a new team, different instruments or software, and different patients.

Being able to adapt to the way other offices operate is extremely important. You get to see what works and what doesn’t.

Locums also changed how I approached treatment planning. Because I was working on a daily minimum, I could be very intentional about treatment plans and better understand some of the hesitation patients had when coming to the dentist.

A lot of patients are afraid they’ll come in and suddenly be asked to do something unexpected that costs more money. Through my locum assignments, I became more understanding of that concern, and I think that was a big relief for patients.

You describe yourself as a “locumpreneur.” What does that mean to you?

Dr. Ravoory: Working locums as a 1099 independent contractor led me to start my own business and learn about the financial side of working for yourself.

I had to understand taxes, business expenses, and other real-world financial considerations that we were never taught in school.

That became another part of my education. Barton provides financial education and resources along the way for smarter long-term decision-making. Check out some of their recent webinars on tax strategy. 

Has working locum tenens made you a better dentist?

Dr. Ravoory: Absolutely. I’m extremely adaptable now.

I’ve learned how to navigate patients who had treatment plans made by dentists before me, manage complications, use different tools, scanners and software, and work with different managers, assistants, insurance plans, and office systems.

You learn how to walk into an unfamiliar environment and figure out how to provide good care within that environment.

You’ve practiced in very different communities. What has that taught you about access to dental care?

Dr. Ravoory: Every community I’ve worked in has had a completely different relationship with dental care.

Some areas see a lot of emergencies walking through the door. In more affluent communities, patients might be asking for full-mouth reconstructions. Then there are remote areas where patients are driving 30 minutes just to make it to an appointment. In those places, access itself can be the barrier.

I was a sociology major in undergrad, so getting to see these differences up close has been genuinely fascinating to me. It’s something you aren’t necessarily exposed to if you stay in one office your entire career.

One of the most rewarding parts has been treating patients from so many different walks of life. Sometimes you’re able to provide high-value care for someone who doesn’t have much of a dental history at all.

There’s something meaningful about being the person who finally gets someone caught up on their care or gives them a good experience after they’ve avoided the dentist for years. Feeling that appreciation from patients who really needed it has stuck with me.

How did locums help you figure out what you wanted from a permanent practice?

Dr. Ravoory: I was able to use my locum assignments to essentially test an office.

I was looking for practices in specific areas with the ultimate goal of transitioning into a full-time role. The locum assignment became almost like a dating period between me and the office, patients, and staff. We could see whether we were all a good fit for each other.

Once I established a good relationship with the office and they understood my demeanor and how I practiced, I decided it was somewhere I wanted to continue working.

That eventually led to a full-time opportunity.

What role did Barton play during that “dating phase”?

Dr. Ravoory: The customer service, access to my recruiter, and help with licensing, credentialing, and finding opportunities all went through Andy.

I was fortunate to receive good reviews from the clinics where I worked, which helped me get priority for better opportunities moving forward.

My last assignment was especially interesting. Barton actually helped put together a production system for me. I still had my daily minimum, but because everyone knew the office was busy, we structured the arrangement so I could also experience something closer to how a full-time production-based contract would work.

I needed to get the full experience during that trial period. Barton understood what I was trying to accomplish and was able to accommodate that request.

What’s one misconception dentists have about locum tenens?

Dr. Ravoory: People sometimes assume locum jobs are only in remote areas. That’s not the case.

I’ve been able to work in offices in pretty large cities as well as smaller, more remote communities. There can be a much wider range of opportunities than people expect.

What would you tell another dentist who’s curious about locums but hesitant to try it?

Dr. Ravoory: If you’re between jobs, you’re in a position where you don’t feel super motivated, or you need to fill some time before starting school again, locums can be a great way to fill those gaps while continuing to practice.

You also have a support team. My experience with Barton, and especially Andy, was that I had someone who could answer questions and help with new state licenses, credentialing, and the management side of getting into a new assignment.

You don’t have to figure everything out yourself.

Where is your career taking you next?

Dr. Ravoory: I’m happy to say that thanks to my last locum position, and the “dating” period I mentioned earlier, I transitioned into a full-time role.

Now that I’ve been a locum dentist and understand the industry from this side, maybe someday I’ll utilize a locum agency myself to find dentists to cover for me when I need time off.

Funny how things can come full circle.

A Dental Career Built Through Experience

Dr. Ravoory’s path challenges the idea that career progress always means finding one practice and staying there.

For him, moving between assignments created its own form of professional development. Each office required him to adapt. Each patient population showed him something different about access, trust, and the economics of dental care. And working as an independent contractor pushed him to learn the business and financial skills that dental school had not taught him.

Locum tenens ultimately gave him something else, too: a low-risk way to figure out where he actually wanted to stay.

What started as a three-to-four-week solution between jobs became a tool for building a more intentional career.

And in Dr. Ravoory’s case, the temporary assignment eventually led him exactly where he wanted to be.

Follow Dr. Ravoory on Intagram to keep up with his next chapter in dentistry and life, which will include no shortage of pickleball and fitness.

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