Temping as a Dental Hygienist: How Temp and PRN Work
What temp and PRN work mean for dental hygienists, how you find shifts, how pay and taxes work, and when temping is worth it.
A temp dental hygienist fills open shifts at dental offices that need coverage, often one day at a time. You pick the days you want, work a full hygiene schedule, and move on. Most temps find shifts through an app, a staffing agency, or offices they already know.
Temping trades stability for control. You get flexibility and variety, but usually no benefits and no guaranteed hours. This guide covers how shifts, pay, and taxes work, so you can decide whether temping fits your life right now.
What "temp" and "PRN" mean
Temp work is short-term coverage: a single day, a week of vacation coverage, or a few months of maternity leave. PRN comes from the Latin "pro re nata" and means "as needed." A PRN dental hygienist is on an office's list to call when it needs help. You aren't scheduled every week, and you can usually say no.
In practice, hygienists use the two words almost interchangeably. Both mean you work when an office needs you and when you're available, rather than on a fixed weekly schedule. Part-time work is already common in this field (BLS (opens in a new tab)), and some hygienists work for more than one dentist.
How you get temp shifts
There are three main routes, and many temps use more than one.
| Compare | Temp apps | Staffing agencies | Direct with offices |
|---|---|---|---|
| How it works | Offices post shifts in an app. You browse, book, and get reviewed after each shift. | A recruiter matches you with offices and handles scheduling. | You build relationships with offices that call you when they need coverage. |
| Who sets the rate | Varies by app. On some, the office posts a rate; on others, you set your own. | Usually the agency, which bills the office more than it pays you. | You and the office agree on it. |
| Tax setup | Varies by app. Some treat you as a contractor (1099); some put you on payroll (W-2). | Often W-2 through the agency. Confirm before you start. | Varies. Ask whether the office will pay you as an employee or a contractor. |
| Best for | Picking shifts on short notice and trying many offices. | Longer assignments and less admin work. | Steady PRN work once you know the area. |
| Watch for | Platform fees, cancellation rules, and how fast you get paid. | Non-compete or buyout clauses if an office wants to hire you. | Unclear pay terms. Get the rate and pay date in writing. |
Common temp apps for dental professionals include GoTu, Cloud Dentistry, onDiem, and Teero. BrushNotes isn't affiliated with any of them. Features, fees, coverage areas, and worker classification differ and change often, so read each app's current terms before you sign up.
How temp pay works
There's no official temp wage for dental hygienists. The BLS publishes pay for all hygienists, not for temps. So instead of trusting a single number, judge each posted rate with a simple method.
- Start with your local benchmark. Look up the median hourly wage for hygienists in your state on the dental hygienist salary by state page. For context, the national median was $47.16 an hour (BLS, May 2025 (opens in a new tab)). That figure covers all hygienists, mostly regular employees.
- Subtract what you won't get. Temps usually don't get paid time off, health insurance, retirement matches, or CE allowances. A temp rate that only matches a staff wage often pays less once you count those.
- Account for taxes if you're a contractor. On a 1099 setup, no one withholds taxes for you, and you owe self-employment tax on top of income tax (more below).
- Count the real hours. Is lunch paid? Are you paid for the full shift if the schedule falls apart? Is there a minimum if the office cancels? Travel time adds up too.
- Compare take-home, not the headline rate. Two shifts with the same hourly rate can pay very differently after fees, cancellations, and unpaid time.
1099 or W-2?
How you're classified changes your taxes and protections. Whether a worker is an employee or a contractor depends on the actual working relationship, not just what a platform calls you. Here's the general difference:
- Employee (W-2): The app, agency, or office withholds income tax and pays the employer share of Social Security and Medicare taxes. You may get workers' comp and other employee protections. Teero, for example, advertises W-2 shifts.
- Contractor (1099): You're paid the full amount with nothing withheld. You pay self-employment tax on your net earnings. The IRS (opens in a new tab) self-employment tax rate is 15.3% (12.4% Social Security, up to an annual limit, plus 2.9% Medicare), and you may need to make quarterly estimated payments. You may be able to deduct work expenses such as your own loupes or liability insurance.
If you take 1099 work, set aside part of every payment for taxes and talk with a tax professional before your first filing. Without withholding, a large bill at tax time is easy to miss.
Pros of temping
- You control your schedule. Work three days one week and five the next. Take time off without asking anyone.
- You see how different offices run. You'll learn different software, instruments, and workflows fast.
- You can test an office before committing. Many permanent jobs start as temp shifts.
- You build a network. Offices that like your work call you back, and word spreads.
Trade-offs to plan for
- Usually no benefits. Health insurance, paid time off, and retirement are on you unless you're a W-2 temp with benefits.
- Income can swing. Summer, holidays, and slow seasons can thin out shifts. Keep a cash cushion.
- A new office every day. New charting software, a new instrument setup, and a full schedule of patients you've never met.
- Less continuity. You rarely see the same patients twice, which some hygienists miss.
- More admin. Tracking shifts, pay, mileage, license renewal, and CE all falls to you.
When temping makes sense
Temping fits some stages better than others. It works well if you are:
- A new grad who wants to try several offices before choosing one. Expect a learning curve on speed; some offices and apps prefer temps with experience, so start with shifts that list new grads as welcome.
- Adding income on top of a part-time or full-time job.
- Relocating and want to learn a new area's offices before you commit.
- Coming back after time away, easing in with a few days a week.
- Protecting your body or schedule by limiting how many clinical days you work.
If you need steady income, employer health insurance, or a predictable schedule, a permanent full-time or part-time job is usually the better fit. Many hygienists do both: a regular job plus a few temp shifts a month. For more on the long-term options, see the dental hygienist career guide.
Set yourself up to temp well
Before your first shift, get these in place:
- An active license in the state where you'll work. Temping across a state line needs a license in that state too. See how to get a dental hygiene license and the license requirements by state.
- Any permits your state requires for local anesthesia or nitrous oxide, if the shift involves them. Rules vary by state.
- Current CPR/BLS certification and proof you can show on request.
- Professional liability (malpractice) insurance. Ask each app, agency, or office whether its policy covers you. If you're a contractor, assume you need your own until someone shows you otherwise in writing.
- Your own gear, if you prefer it: loupes, a light, scrubs, and any instruments the office allows you to bring. Ask what the office provides.
- A simple records system for shifts, pay received, mileage, and expenses. It makes taxes and disputes much easier.
On the day, arrive early, ask for a quick tour of the operatory and charting system, and confirm how the office wants perio charting, radiographs, and notes done. Reliable, adaptable temps get asked back, and repeat offices are where the best shifts come from.
Keep your CE current, too. Your license renewal depends on it no matter how many offices you work for. The continuing education guide covers what counts and how to keep records.
Looking for work near you? Search dental hygienist jobs in BrushNotes by ZIP code, filter for Temp / PRN listings, and save your search to check back for new ones.
Frequently asked questions
What does PRN mean for a dental hygienist?
PRN means "as needed" (from the Latin "pro re nata"). A PRN dental hygienist works when an office calls for coverage, with no fixed weekly schedule. You can usually accept or decline each shift.
How much do temp dental hygienists make?
There's no official temp wage, and rates vary by state, app, and office. Compare each posted rate with your state's median hourly wage on the dental hygienist salary by state page. Then adjust for missing benefits, unpaid time, fees, and, on a 1099 setup, self-employment tax. Compare take-home pay, not the headline rate.
Are temp hygienists 1099 or W-2?
It depends on the app, agency, or office. Some treat temps as independent contractors (1099), and others put them on payroll (W-2). Check the terms before your first shift. On 1099 work, nothing is withheld, so set money aside for taxes and consider talking with a tax professional.
Which temp apps do hygienists use?
Common options include GoTu, Cloud Dentistry, onDiem, and Teero. Coverage, fees, rate-setting, and worker classification differ and change often, so compare their current terms in your area. BrushNotes isn't affiliated with any of them.
Can new grads temp?
Yes, once you hold an active license in the state where you'll work. Some offices and apps prefer experienced temps, and a new office every day is harder when you're still building speed. Many new grads start with a few temp shifts to try offices, then take a permanent job at one they like.
Do I need my own malpractice insurance?
Often, yes. Ask each app, agency, or office whether its liability policy covers you, and get the answer in writing. Contractors are more likely to need their own policy. Many hygienists carry their own coverage regardless, so they're protected wherever they work.