Dental Hygiene Temps Got a Raise!

DentalPost’s Salary Survey revealed that the national average hourly rate for RDH temping increased 18% last year – to $47.50. 

That’s $5.50 more than the national average hourly rate for full-time temping. This means hygienists can add a couple of temp days to their month and increase their monthly income by an average of $760. If you are working a 32-hour week now and work a fifth day each week as a temp, your income could increase by 26%.

Some of the survey’s open comments from “Temp Hygienists” really tugged at my heartstrings, like this one, “I started temping for the money, but the greatest benefit has been that I feel so needed now and tremendously appreciated.” 

A Story About My Hygienist

I was in my dentist’s office to have my teeth cleaned yesterday. I love visiting there, and time with my hygienist is always special for multiple reasons. She has my best health interests at heart and spends the entire scheduled hour being clinically thorough, yet she easily fits in conversations about life. These conversations are always interesting. We’ve swapped recipes, talked about children’s career choices, considered the pros and cons of different types of roofs, and even debated the merits of replacing a toilet with a new one versus calling in a plumber to replace its mechanical parts. 

With compassionate eyes, she is interested in my work with DentalPost and happy to talk about what it is like to be a hygienist. In addition to being envious of her brilliant smile and slim physique, I am envious of her days.

She works Monday-Thursday three weeks a month and also a half-day one Friday a month. Sabrina loves what she does and has a great relationship with my dentist and the entire office team. She especially enjoys the friendships she has developed with her patients. Additionally, she takes pride in being fully scheduled four months out and being able to identify health issues in collaboration with my dentist. Her day ends early enough to have dinner on the table, doesn’t take her work home with her, and isn’t on call during these evening family hours. 

How Temps Helped Her

Some time ago, Sabrina broke her arm. I don’t recall exactly how she broke it, but as a result, temps came to the rescue to serve her patients for the four to five months she healed and went through physical therapy. She was profoundly grateful she could return to the patients and the practice environment she loves. 

To her, these temps were not only special colleagues but also heroes. They saved her place in the world, and her career picked up where she had left it.

Temping for the Holidays

Sabrina had never thought seriously of temping herself until she experienced and appreciated how expertly and smoothly both her employer and the temps responded to her call for help. Now she is considering temping three Fridays a month for the next six months. One, she wants extra income for the holidays, and two, she and her husband want to do more work on their house this coming winter. 

I so, so appreciate this. As a freelance dental writer, I am always “temping” even when I have long-standing relationships with regular clients. I love having “seasonal” extra assignments when I put in full-time hours to meaningfully help a client…and help myself in the bargain!

If you’re interested in temping, check out our related blogs below. Then, update your profile to select your temp availability so you will start receiving temp alerts near you!

Temp Talk with Two RDHs

Dental Temping – What You Need to Know and How to Get Started

Want to Temp as a Dental Hygienist or Assistant? Use This Mindset Checklist for Success 

7 Reasons to Temp… and How to Make the Most of It

Tips for Turning a Temp Gig into a Permanent Opportunity