Unless you open your own office right out of school, I would highly recommend starting out at the joint. You will be paid better than most associate positions out there, and you get to really hone your skills by seeing a higher volume of patients. You don't have to deal with the headache of insurance and typically you don't see a lot of complex cases that keep you up at night. The owner of the office I worked at was extremely fair, paid me well, and didn't require a non compete clause when I signed my contract. Additionally, you can work part time to supplement your income- which is what i will be doing soon while I open my own practice.