Employment laws across the country are changing—and if you’ve tried hiring dental temps lately, you may have noticed it’s not as easy as it used to be.
Some states now require that temps be classified as W-2 employees, which means every time you bring in a temp, you may need to onboard them like a regular staff member. That takes extra time, money, and a lot of paperwork.
And while not every state has adopted this requirement, it’s a growing trend—so it’s smart to be prepared.
First, a Quick Disclaimer:
We always recommend you consult your CPA or attorney to make sure you’re staying compliant with your state’s employment laws, especially regarding 1099 vs. W-2 classification. This post is not legal advice—but it is a smart workaround many offices are successfully using.
The W-2 Dilemma
Hiring temps as W-2 employees means treating them like short-term staff—adding them to your payroll, submitting taxes, and tracking hours through your system. It’s a lot of effort for a one- or two-day assignment.
But the alternative—canceling patients and losing production—isn’t great either.
So what’s the solution?
Build a Dental Temp Bench
Think of it as your own mini temp agency. You find a handful of go-to professionals that you trust, onboard them once, and call on them whenever you need coverage.
Here’s what a Dental Temp Bench might look like:
- 3 Registered Dental Hygienists
- 3 Dental Assistants or Registered Dental Assistants
- 2 Front Office team members
Once they’re added to your system, you’re good to go. No more repeated onboarding. No more last-minute scrambling.
How to Build Your Dental Temp Bench
DirectDental makes it easy. There are no placement or staffing fees, and you have full control over who you work with. When you find a temp you like, simply bookmark their profile. You can reach out to them directly whenever you need coverage—whether it’s next week or next month.
It’s the easiest way to build a strong backup team you can rely on—without wasting time or budget.
Smiles,
Holli Perez
DirectDental
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