As a practicing dentist, I’ve seen firsthand how hiring temporary dental hygienists can transform an office—from keeping schedules full to maintaining high-quality patient care. 

Today, I want to share actionable advice on dental hygiene temping and help you understand why joining Princess Dental Staffing may be a good decision for your career as a hygienist or assistant.

The Benefits of Temping

Temping comes with many benefits, including a more flexible schedule, better work/life balance, setting your own pay rate, and exploring different dental office settings (this one is especially beneficial if you’re looking for a full-time position with an office you like).

Flexibility & Work-Life Balance

Temping offers the freedom to choose your own schedule. 

With temping, you decide when and where to work. This flexibility not only reduces burnout but also gives you control over your life (particularly helpful when you have children).

When you sign in with your Princess Dental Staffing account, it’s easy to manage your schedule by setting the days you want to work, or marking off specific days you’re not available.

Competitive Pay

Temporary positions often come with competitive pay rates. 

As a former dentist, I always appreciated when my temp staff was motivated by fair compensation. Higher hourly rates are probably the biggest financial perk. If you look at the pay rates across the jobs on our website, you’ll see that most dentists will pay more for a temp, so temps generally make more money by temping.

Expand Your Network

If you’re looking to get to know other people in the dental field, temping expands your professional network by exposing you to diverse office cultures while sharpening your dental skills.

Broaden Your Clinical Experience

Working in different dental settings allows you to learn varied protocols and technologies. This can be both a pro and a con when it comes to temping. Some people like the challenge of learning something new, while others may struggle with the difficulties that arise when using a new software or other technology.

Each dental practice adapts to modern dental challenges in their own way, so I encourage dental professionals to embrace every new experience as a chance to learn and grow.

The Secret to Successful Temping

There are lots of hygienists temping on our website, but there are a few things that all good temps do.

Doing these things helps assure they get invited back for more temp assignments.

Be Prepared 

After you accept an assignment, but before you step into the office, give the office manager a call and ask about scheduling, patient care routines, and any specific instruments or software they use. 

Clear communication upfront often prevents potential hiccups and builds trust from the beginning.

Action Tip: Treat each new temp assignment as an opportunity to learn.

Payments and Schedules

Your pay rate and shift details are clearly marked on every assignment you receive from Princess Dental Staffing. So there’s no need to negotiate before accepting an assignment—you’ll know exactly what you’re signing up for from the very beginning. 

You may also want to ask the office about whether you’re working as a W-2 employee or an independent contractor.

Princess Dental Staffing is a matchmaking service and we’re not your employer. It’s up to each office to pay you, so talk with them about those arrangements beforehand. Offices have up to 10 days to pay our temps, so you may want to ask about when to expect pay as well.

I’ve learned that talking about payment details before you start working leads to smoother and a more satisfying work experience for both the office and the temp.

Action Tip: Always confirm payment details with the dental office you’re temping with.

Build Your Professional Reputation

Every new temp assignment is a chance to make a lasting impression. Arrive early, dress professionally, and always maintain a respectful, can-do attitude. 

Many temp hygienists treat each assignment as a stepping stone to permanent success. The ones that do the best are asked back again and again for additional assignments, creating long-term success as a temp.

Action Tip: After each temp assignment, ask your employer to provide you with a rating on the Princess Dental Staffing website. Positive reviews will strengthen your profile and help you show up for more temp requests.

Leverage Technology to Enhance Your Experience

Staffing platforms like Princess Dental Staffing have revolutionized temping. 

We’ve integrated cutting-edge technology to match dental hygienists with offices that fit their schedules, preferences, and specialties.

Why Use Our Platform?

• Real-Time Shift Matching: Get notified instantly when new shifts that match your skills and schedule become available. The first temp to accept a position gets the assignment.
• Transparent Communication: Shift schedule and pay rate are listed directly on the temp assignment in your account.
• Career Growth: Our platform isn’t just about finding a job—it’s about building a lasting career. 

Action Tip: Join Princess Dental Staffing today, set up your profile, and start receiving notifications for shifts that align with your schedule, as well as your career goals.

Overcoming Common Challenges

Temping isn’t all good. There are some real challenges that come with temping at different offices, and honestly, it’s not for everyone.

Let’s take a look at some of the challenges you might face…

Adapting to New Environments

Every dental office operates a little differently. While temping, you may encounter unfamiliar equipment or protocols. Take these moments as opportunities to expand your clinical repertoire. I always remind my team that adaptability is one of the most valuable traits in a dental professional.

Handling Last-Minute Changes

Sometimes shifts get canceled or rescheduled.

That’s normal in this line of work.

Princess Dental Staffing assures that offices follow our policies for job cancellations. You'll be notified through the site when an offices cancels a job.

Last minutes cancellations once you've arrived for a temp job may entitle you to some pay, and our customer service reps will help you negotiate that with employers.

Action Tip: Stay in regular contact with your assigned office manager. A simple call or text can clarify expectations and ease any uncertainty.

For Dental Offices: Having a Successful Temp Experience

As someone who has both hired and worked alongside temporary dental hygienists, I understand the mutual benefits of a well-run office with clear communication. 

Offices that prepare a warm, welcoming environment and clearly communicate expectations tend to foster lasting professional relationships.

Hint: This is important if you want temps to come back...

Be sure to greet your temp, provide them with the information they need to get started, and please, thank them for their work!

You can’t believe how many stories I’ve heard from temps who just feel unappreciated by their office, but you have the power to change that with a simple, "thank you."

Best Practices for Dental Offices:

• Create a Welcoming Environment: Greet temps warmly, introduce them to the team, and offer a brief orientation.
• Provide Clear Instructions: Outline your office protocols, patient care routines, and any specifics related to your practice.
• Ensure a Smooth Workflow: Make sure all instruments are ready and that you have a designated person to answer any questions your temp might have.
• Set Payment Expectations: Temps are working because they want the money. Clearly communicating how and when a temp will be paid will relax any money anxieties they may have.

Action Tip for Managers: If you’re an office manager looking to streamline your staffing needs, consider partnering with Princess Dental Staffing. Our platform connects you with vetted professionals who are ready to step in and help your practice run smoothly.

Ready to Temp?

If you’re ready to take control of your career, explore flexible shifts, set your own pay rate, and join a community that values your skills, I invite you to sign up for Princess Dental Staffing today.

Get started now and discover a better way to temp in dental hygiene.

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