23/08/2026
Temp vs Permanent — Which Is Best for Your Dental Practice?
There is no single right answer, because the best option depends on what your practice needs right now.
For some practices, bringing in a temp is the smartest move because it gives immediate support without committing to a permanent hire before you are ready. Temps can be ideal for annual leave, unexpected absences, busy periods, maternity cover or simply giving your existing team some breathing room while you recruit properly.
Permanent recruitment, on the other hand, is usually the better choice when you know the role is ongoing and you want someone who can become part of the team, understand your systems, build relationships with patients and contribute to the long-term culture of the practice.
The mistake many practices make is treating these as two completely separate options, when in reality they can work very well together.
A temp can help keep the practice running while you take the time to find the right permanent person, rather than rushing into a hire because the team is under pressure. In some cases, temping can also give both the practice and the candidate a chance to see whether the fit feels right before anything long term is considered.
The key is to look at the actual problem you are trying to solve.
If you need immediate coverage, flexibility or short-term support, a temp may be the better option.
If you need stability, continuity and someone who can grow with the practice, permanent recruitment is usually the stronger long-term solution.
At Attention To Dental, we support practices with both temporary staffing and permanent recruitment, because sometimes the best staffing solution is not one or the other — it is knowing when to use each.
