Whether you need cover for holidays, sickness, or busy periods, having access to quality locum staff keeps your practice running smoothly and maintains excellent patient care.
Why Do Dental Practices Need Locum Staff?
Dental practices need locum staff primarily to cover staff holidays, sickness, and maternity leave whilst maintaining full patient schedules and revenue streams. Without locum cover, you'd need to cancel appointments, disappoint patients, and lose income.
Some practices also use locums to test potential permanent hires or to cover busy periods without overstaffing during quieter times. This flexibility is invaluable for managing your workforce efficiently, whether you're running a general practice or a more specialist clinic like Bass Orthodontics in Harley Street, where maintaining continuity of specialist care is crucial.
What Types of Locum Dental Staff Can You Hire for Your Practice?
You can hire locum dentists, orthodontists, dental hygienists, dental therapists, dental nurses, and practice managers, with dentists and nurses being the most frequently needed roles. Each role helps maintain different aspects of your service delivery.
Locum dentists fill in for absent associates or principals, performing routine check-ups to complex procedures. Locum dental nurses support clinical work and ensure smooth patient flow. For specialist practices, locum orthodontists can maintain treatment continuity for patients undergoing braces or aligner therapy.
How Do Specialist Recruitment Agencies Help Find Locum Dental Staff?
Specialist recruitment agencies pre-vet all candidates, verify GDC registration and indemnity insurance, and provide replacement staff if someone doesn't work out, making them the fastest and most reliable way to find locum dental staff. They handle the compliance headaches so you can focus on patient care.
Agencies like Your World Healthcare, IDP, and Rodericks Dental maintain databases of qualified locums ready to work. They check references and right to work documentation before putting candidates forward, saving you significant time and reducing risk.
Most agencies charge either a daily rate markup or a percentage fee. Whilst this costs more than finding locums independently, the convenience and security often justify the expense, especially for urgent requirements or specialist roles like orthodontics.
Where Can You Find Locum Dental Staff Online for Your Practice?
You can find locum dental staff online on Locum Dental, Indeed, LinkedIn, and specialist Facebook groups where dental professionals actively post their availability and rates. These platforms let you connect directly with available staff.
Locum-specific websites allow you to post requirements and browse available professionals. Many locums maintain profiles showing their qualifications, experience, availability, and desired rates. You can contact them directly and arrange interviews.
Social media, particularly LinkedIn and dental Facebook groups, also work well. Posting in groups like "UK Dental Professionals" or "Dental Locums UK" often generates quick responses from available staff in your area.
How Do Professional Networks Help You Find Locum Staff for Your Dental Practice?
Professional networks help you find locum staff through personal recommendations from colleagues who've successfully used specific locums before, giving you pre-vetted candidates you can trust. Word-of-mouth referrals often lead to the best quality matches.
Ask fellow practice owners, dentists you trained with, or members of your Local Dental Committee who they use for locum cover. Personal recommendations come with built-in quality assurance—if someone worked well for a colleague, they're likely suitable for you too.
Attending dental conferences, study clubs, and local dental society meetings expands your network. Many locums find work through connections made at these events. Building relationships with local dental professionals means you'll have people to call when you need cover urgently.
What Should You Check Before Hiring Locum Dental Staff?
You must verify current GDC registration, valid indemnity insurance, enhanced DBS clearance, right to work documents, and at least two professional references before hiring any locum dental staff. These checks are legal requirements, not optional extras.
Always verify GDC registration on the GDC website to ensure it's current and unrestricted. Check indemnity insurance covers the specific work they'll do. Request copies of specialist qualifications if hiring for roles requiring additional training, and verify references from previous employers.
How Much Does Locum Dental Staff Cost for Your Practice?
Locum dental staff cost £350-£600 per day for dentists, £200-£350 for hygienists, and £120-£180 for dental nurses, with London practices paying 20-30% more than other regions. Specialist locums like orthodontists command premium rates of £500-£700 per day.
Agency rates include their fees, so direct hiring usually costs 15-20% less. However, you'll handle all administration, compliance, and payroll yourself. Some locums work on a percentage of fees generated rather than day rates, typically taking 40-50%.
Last-minute bookings cost more. If you need someone tomorrow, expect to pay 20-30% above standard rates. Building relationships with reliable locums means better rates and priority when you need cover.
How Far in Advance Should You Book Locum Staff for Your Dental Practice?
You should book locum staff 4-6 weeks ahead for planned absences to secure the best candidates at standard rates, though agencies can provide emergency cover within 24 hours for a 20-30% premium. Early booking gives you better choice and lower costs.
For predictable gaps like holidays or maternity cover, book as soon as dates are confirmed. Popular locums get booked months ahead, especially during school holidays when demand peaks across all practices.
What Makes a Good Locum for Your Dental Practice?
A good locum arrives punctually, adapts quickly to your practice software and protocols, communicates professionally with patients, and completes all clinical notes and paperwork accurately. Reliability and clinical competence are non-negotiable.
The best locums treat your practice like their own. They're courteous to patients, respectful to staff, and follow your protocols without constant supervision. They maintain infection control standards and leave the surgery tidy. Cultural fit matters too—someone whose approach clashes with your practice ethos will create problems regardless of technical skill.
How Can You Build a Reliable Pool of Locum Staff?
You build a reliable pool of locum staff by paying promptly (within 7 days), providing comprehensive induction materials, offering repeat work when available, and maintaining regular contact even during periods when you don't need cover. Locums remember practices that treat them professionally.
When you find good locums, stay in touch. Offer them first refusal on upcoming gaps. Create an induction pack covering your systems, software, and emergency procedures—good locums appreciate thorough preparation. Pay on time, as many locums juggle multiple practices and late payers get dropped from their preferred list.
