After operating his private dental practice for over four decades, Laurence M. was ready to retire, but he wasn’t ready to leave it all behind.
“I didn’t want to be a businessman anymore,” he said. “I just wanted to be a dentist.”
So Laurence sold his private practice, starting a journey in which he sought new alternatives to continue doing what he loved while reaping the benefits of retired life.
First, he took up an adjunct professor position at a local dental school but found it wasn’t the right fit.
“I missed being a hands-on dentist,” he said.
That’s when a friend recommended he look into Barton Associates and locum tenens—both of which were completely new to him.
“Truthfully, I didn’t even know what locum tenens was—[I’m] thankful for Google,” Laurence said.
From there, Laurence applied on Barton’s website and then was connected to a recruiter. After securing a two-day assignment at a general dentistry office, Laurence completed an expedited credentialing process—he was ready to begin.
Once he began working on a locum assignment with Barton, he said, “I’ve never been happier.”
Laurence was so pleased with his first assignment that he immediately sought another.
“My first experience was great,” he said. “When it was over, I called Jordan Kelly and said, ‘Okay, find me another assignment.’”
Firsthand Impact On Underserved Communities
Locum tenens provided Laurence with exposure to communities that were significantly different from the patient population he served at his private practice.
Laurence’s most recent assignment took him to a small rural town in Michigan. Eighty percent of the patients at the facility relied on Medicaid, highlighting their lower income and educational status. Coming from his private practice where he served a middle-class and educated population, Laurence realized the difference in patient needs.
“The patients I saw probably would not have had any opportunity to go to a dentist if it wasn’t for this facility, ” he said.
Laurence became actively involved with serving patients who had not received dental education in the past.
“A lot of the people said that, growing up, their parents couldn’t afford to have them go to the dentist, there weren’t any Medicaid providers where they lived,” he said.
In addition to gaps in care, many patients did not receive formal education about the benefits of proper oral hygiene.
“I taught them why it’s not just important for their mouth, but for their whole body,” he said.
By stepping in and assisting communities in need, Laurence tapped into his experience from his time as a professor and a lifelong dentist.
This recent assignment gave Laurence a new meaning for his line of work—providing life-altering care to communities in need of it the most.
“That to me really became my guiding light,” he said. “I was helping out patients who really needed dental work.”
Laurence’s impact extended beyond the underserved group he was serving, but also to the burned-out staff, who were working to fill gaps in care under immense pressure.
“From the minute I walked in, the staff greeted me with the biggest smile,” he said. “After six weeks, I felt like I belonged there.”
Advice To Prospective Locum Providers
It’s completely normal to step into a locum tenens assignment without knowing all of the ins and outs of the facility. Laurence understands this—he went from managing his own private practice to performing dentistry in an unfamiliar environment.
To overcome any missteps, “You need to ask plenty of questions,” he said.
By asking questions at every opportunity as a new locum tenens provider, you open lines of communication with facility administrators and staff. In return, facility staff typically start to feel comfortable as they learn more about your capabilities and skillset.
Another recommendation to stay in sync is to “Be there for the morning huddle so you know what your day is going to be like,” he said.
To Laurence, this meant striving to be an active team member, even if he was assigned for six short weeks.
However, there’s a fine line between being fully involved and attempting to take control, Laurence warned.
“You have to understand that it’s not your office and you’re walking into someone else’s office,” he said.
Even with decades of experience, Laurence understands that what he brings to the table is essential support and care—not facility leadership. This means striving to be open-minded to swift changes and different leadership styles.
“If you can’t be flexible, the office isn’t going to be happy that you’re there,” he advised.
Experience with Barton
Laurence first began working with Barton Associates 2 ½ years ago and said his “experience with Barton has been outstanding.”
He attributes his successful integration with Barton and the locum tenens lifestyle to his dedicated recruiters Jordan Kelly, Roberto Martinez, and the team behind them.
“The two of them are just great to work with,” he said.
Due to Barton’s streamlined recruiting and credentialing process, he felt that the only thing he needed to worry about was providing top-quality care.
“They do all the work, and I do all of the dentistry,” he said.
By partnering with Barton, Laurence could focus on spending time with family and providing high-quality care when his schedule allows.
“I give them my dates for when I’m available and they do their best to accommodate me,” he said.
Besides the simplicity of onboarding and scheduling, Laurence said he has thoroughly enjoyed his experience with the travel team and the accommodations he received.
“The housing was perfect,” he said. “When I went in, they had my room ready. They even upgraded my room.”
Pleased with his experience, Laurence recommended that all providers considering locum tenens consider Barton Associates.
“I just hope whoever sees this video will think about joining Barton, he said. “It’s a great company. I look forward to having more job assignments!”
Interested in making the switch to locum tenens after hearing Laurence’s story? Get a head start on your locum journey by reviewing our job board!
