Thinking About Temping? Here's What I Wish Someone Told Me Before My First Assignment
- The Dental Hygiene Boss Team
- Jul 8
- 4 min read
The freedom of temping is real, but like everything in our profession, success comes down to preparation. Here's what I tell every hygienist before saying yes to that first assignment.
Whether you're temping for additional income, exploring a new career path, or simply looking for greater flexibility, your first assignment can set the tone for every opportunity that follows.
As a hygienist who's spent years working in different offices, I can tell you this firsthand: temping isn't just "filling in." It's its own skill set. Just as you wouldn't walk into a periodontal appointment without your instruments prepared, you shouldn't walk into a temporary assignment without doing your homework first.
More dental hygienists are choosing temporary work than ever before, and for good reason. But here's what hygiene school doesn't always teach: the hygienists who thrive at temping aren't simply the ones who show up. They're the professionals who ask the right questions before they ever pick up a mirror and explorer in a new office.
Why More Dental Hygienists Are Choosing Temporary Assignments
The demand for dental hygienists continues to grow, making temporary staffing an increasingly valuable solution for both clinicians and dental practices. More hygienists are discovering that temping offers flexibility, professional growth, and the opportunity to create a career that better fits their lifestyle.
One reason I created the Dental Hygiene BO$$® Career Network was to simplify the search for trusted staffing resources. Instead of spending hours researching multiple agencies and employment platforms, hygienists can explore career resources, staffing organizations, and educational content in one convenient location.
Temping offers many advantages, including greater schedule flexibility, exposure to different practice environments and technology, additional income opportunities, improved work-life balance, expanded clinical experience across multiple specialties, and the opportunity to "test drive" a practice before accepting a permanent position.
While those benefits are exciting, successful temping requires more than simply accepting every available shift.
Questions Every Dental Hygienist Should Ask Before Accepting a Temp Assignment
Before accepting any assignment, make sure you understand exactly what you're walking into.
Ask questions such as:
Is this a W-2 or 1099 opportunity?
What procedures will I be expected to perform?
What equipment and technology does the office use?
What instruments and supplies are provided, and will I need to bring anything?
How long are patient appointments scheduled?
Who will be available for clinical or administrative support?
What are the office's cancellation and payment policies?
Getting these answers upfront isn't being difficult, it's being professional. Preparation allows you to arrive confident, organized, and ready to provide exceptional patient care.
How to Prepare for a Successful Temp Assignment
One of the biggest misconceptions about temping is that every dental office operates the same way. The reality is that every practice has its own clinical workflow, scheduling philosophy, documentation software, equipment, sterilization procedures, team dynamics, and patient expectations.
The more you understand before you arrive, the more energy you can devote to what truly matters; delivering outstanding patient care, building rapport with patients and team members, and leaving a lasting professional impression.
Preparation doesn't eliminate surprises, but it significantly reduces unnecessary stress and allows you to adapt with confidence.
Understanding Your Worker Classification (Yes, It Really Matters)
This is one of the most overlooked aspects of temping and one of the most important.
Not every temporary opportunity is structured the same way. Depending on the employer or staffing platform, you may work as a W-2 employee, a 1099 independent contractor, or under another employment arrangement.
Understanding your worker classification isn't simply about taxes. It can affect your legal responsibilities, benefits eligibility, insurance coverage, retirement planning, recordkeeping, and long-term financial success.
I've spoken with far too many hygienists who didn't fully understand the difference until tax season arrived. Don't let that happen to you.
If you're unsure which classification is right for your situation, be sure to explore our Worker Classification Resource Center, where we break down the differences between W-2 employment and 1099 independent contracting in plain language.
Your Shortcut to Temping With Confidence
I created the Dental Hygiene BO$$® Temping Guide because I wanted to provide the resource I wish I'd had when I first started temping—something practical, easy to understand, and designed specifically for dental hygienists.
Inside you'll discover:
• Essential questions to ask before accepting an assignment
• A simplified guide to worker classification
• Practical tips for succeeding as a temporary hygienist
• Professional checklists to use before every assignment
• Career resources to support your long-term success
• Best practices for confidently navigating temporary opportunities
Whether you're preparing for your first assignment or your fiftieth, this guide is designed to help you walk into every office prepared, confident, and ready to succeed.
The Guide Every Temp Hygienist Should Have
The Dental Hygiene BO$$® Temping Guide was developed to help you organize important questions, understand worker classification, and approach each assignment with greater confidence.
Download Your FREE BO$$® Temping Guide
Ready to temp with greater confidence and less guesswork?
Download the FREE Dental Hygiene BO$$® Temping Guide and gain the practical checklists, professional insights, and career guidance every hygienist should have before accepting a new assignment.
Continue Exploring the Career Network
The Dental Hygiene BO$$® Career Network was created to help hygienists make informed career decisions through transparent, unbiased educational resources.
Continue exploring:
• Dental Staffing Resource Directory
• Worker Classification Resource Center
• Career Resources
• Professional Development Articles
• Employment Opportunities
Whether you're exploring temporary assignments, permanent opportunities, or simply planning your next career move, we're here to help you navigate your journey with confidence.
A Resource That Grows With You
The Dental Hygiene BO$$® Career Network will continue to grow with new educational resources, career guidance, staffing organizations, and professional tools designed to help you make informed decisions throughout your career.
Final Thoughts
Your career deserves more than guesswork.
Every temporary assignment is an opportunity to strengthen your clinical skills, expand your professional network, and grow your confidence. The more informed you are before accepting an assignment, the better prepared you'll be to succeed—not only on your next shift, but throughout your entire career.
At The Dental Hygiene BO$$®, our mission is to help dental hygienists make informed career decisions through transparent, unbiased educational resources. We look forward to being part of your journey.
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