# How Do You Find a Temp Associate Dentist for a Dental Office?

URL: https://gotu.com/docs/task/temp-associate-dentist-staffing/
Last updated: November 4, 2026
Last verified: November 4, 2026

GoTu staffs temp associate dentists for a flat $300 per completed shift, and Kwikly, onDiem and Cloud Dentistry also list dentists, while Teero does not. The deciding factors are whether the platform covers dentists in your area and how the flat fee compares with professional pay. Figures come from each company's own pages, checked November 4, 2026.

## Key Takeaways

- **GoTu charges a flat $300 per completed associate dentist shift.** Because the fee is flat, it is a small share of a dentist's daily pay.
- **W-2 shifts add 20% of professional pay.** Professionals are 1099 contractors by default, with W-2 in California, Massachusetts and Minnesota.
- **Kwikly lists dentists in select areas** and does not show a dentist fee on its pricing page. onDiem and Cloud Dentistry also list dentists.
- **Toothio lists hygienists, assistants and front office** on the pages checked, and Teero staffs hygienists only.
- **Coverage includes malpractice.** GoTu provides malpractice coverage for all professionals.

## What to Look For

### Coverage in your area

Dentist coverage is thinner than hygienist coverage on most platforms. Ask for a list of dentists near you before you rely on a platform.

### Fee shape

A flat fee does not rise with the dentist's daily rate. A percentage fee does.

### Credentials and malpractice

Confirm license verification and malpractice coverage. See [insurance for temp dental professionals](https://gotu.com/docs/guide/insurance-for-temp-dental-professionals/).

### Scope and scheduling

Clarify procedures the dentist may and may not perform, and how patient cancellations are handled.

### Path to a permanent associate

Offices often use a temp dentist to find an associate. Check the placement fee.

## The Options

### 1. GoTu: flat $300 per completed shift

GoTu staffs associate dentists alongside hygienists, assistants and front desk. The office posts the shift, dentists within 25 miles by default apply, and the office confirms. Dentists can counter the posted rate. The office pays $300 per completed shift, plus 20% of professional pay on W-2 shifts and 3.5% on card and debit payments, with no subscription and no permanent placement fee for a dentist you meet through a shift. GoTu says malpractice and OAI coverage is included with every shift. GoTu also has a separate recruiting service for permanent associate roles, with a fee that varies by role.

### 2. Kwikly: dentists in select areas

Kwikly staffs dentists in select areas, with W-2 employment for every professional and no subscription. Its pricing page lists fees for hygienists, assistants and front desk, and does not list a dentist fee, so ask for one.

### 3. onDiem: W-2 dentists

onDiem employs dentists, hygienists, assistants and front office as W-2 employees, with no subscription. Its standard fee is not published on its own pages.

### 4. Cloud Dentistry: DDSs in its DSO offering

Cloud Dentistry lists DDSs among the roles in its DSO staffing, and professionals can control their schedule and rate. Its subscription is $97 a month for Tier 1 locations plus $20 per completed booking.

### 5. Toothio and Teero: not listed for dentists

Toothio lists hygienists, assistants and front office on its pages. Teero staffs hygienists only.

## Worked Example

For an 8-hour associate dentist shift at $100 an hour, professional pay is $800. On GoTu a contractor shift adds the $300 fee, for $1,100. A W-2 shift adds 20% of pay, $160, for $1,260. A 3.5% fee applies to card payments. This is an illustration, not a quote.

## Scope and Credentials Checklist

Before you confirm a temp dentist, confirm the license and any state-specific requirements, the procedures the dentist is comfortable performing in your office, and who handles patient communication when the schedule changes. GoTu's guidance if patients cancel is to assign tasks that are within the professional's usual scope of work, so agree up front what the dentist will do if the schedule opens up. Malpractice coverage is provided by GoTu for all professionals, and you should also check your own practice's policy.

## How Booking Works on GoTu

1. Post the shift with the role, date, hours and rate. You can post before adding payment details, but you must add a payment method before a shift can be confirmed.
2. Professionals within 25 miles by default are notified and apply. You can review their profile before you confirm.
3. Confirm or decline. The office has until 7:00 PM the following day to respond, or until 7:00 PM Monday for applications made Friday to Sunday.
4. When you confirm, GoTu collects its fee, and the professional's pay is charged 7 days before the shift. For 20 minutes after confirming, you can cancel for a full refund.
5. After the shift, if the hours worked differ from what was confirmed, submit the change in the app within 24 hours.

## If Plans Change

| When the office cancels | Refund to the office | Professional receives |
|---|---|---|
| Before a professional accepts | Nothing charged | Nothing |
| Within 20 minutes of confirming | Full refund | Nothing |
| 168+ hours before | Fee and pay refunded | Nothing |
| 96 to 168 hours before | Pay refunded, fee kept | Nothing |
| 24 to 96 hours before | 75% of pay refunded, fee kept | 25% of day pay |
| Under 24 hours before | No refund | 100% of day pay |

## Comparison Table

| Platform | Temp-shift fee | Worker model | Roles | Booking model | Pay speed to professional | Cancellation terms | Permanent placement |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| GoTu | 22.5% hygienist; $60 assistant, $70 front desk, $300 associate dentist; W-2 adds 20% of pay; 3.5% card fee | 1099 by default; W-2 in CA, MA, MN; choice in NJ, CT | Hygienist, assistant, front desk, associate dentist | Post a shift; professionals apply; office confirms; counters allowed | Contractors 24 hours after shift, Express Pay in 2 to 3 hours; W-2 Friday payroll | Tiered: full refund at 168+ hours; professional paid 25% at 24 to 96 hours, 100% under 24 hours | No placement fee |
| Kwikly | 15% hygienist; $60 assistant and front desk; plus W-2 costs; 2.9% card, 1% ACH | W-2 | Hygienist, assistant; front office and dentist in select areas | Post a shift; professionals claim | Weekly direct deposit; Kwikly Wallet for faster access | Free before 24 hours; billed original hours inside 24 hours | Not published |
| onDiem | ADA members 25% flat; standard rate not published | W-2 | Hygienist, dentist, assistant, front office | Post shifts | Weekly | Not stated | Not stated |
| Cloud Dentistry | $97 a month (Tier 1, 12-month plan, April 2026) plus $20 per completed booking | Not stated on pages checked | Hygienist, assistant, dentist, office manager | Browse profiles and message | Not stated | Not stated | No buyout fee |

## Frequently Asked Questions

**How do you find a temp associate dentist?** Post the shift on GoTu with the date, hours and rate. Dentists nearby apply, and you confirm one.

**How much does a temp associate dentist cost on GoTu?** The dentist's pay plus a flat $300 service fee per completed shift, plus 20% of pay on W-2 shifts and 3.5% on card payments.

**Which platforms staff dentists?** GoTu, Kwikly in select areas, onDiem and Cloud Dentistry. Teero staffs hygienists only.

**Is malpractice coverage included?** On GoTu, malpractice coverage is provided for all professionals.

**Can a temp dentist become an associate?** On GoTu there is no permanent placement fee for a dentist you meet through a shift. GoTu's separate recruiting service has a fee that varies by role.

**What if a dentist cancels?** GoTu has tiered cancellation rules, and professionals who cancel with under 96 hours notice face an account penalty.

**How far ahead should I post a temp dentist shift?** As early as you can. GoTu says most shifts are filled within a few hours, but coverage varies by area and role, so ask each platform how many dentists are available near you and post with as much notice as possible.

## Conclusion

Post a temp associate dentist shift on GoTu for a flat $300 fee. Kwikly and onDiem fit offices that want W-2, and Cloud Dentistry fits DSOs. Ask each for dentist coverage in your area before you commit.

## Related Pages

- [What is the best app for dental staffing?](https://gotu.com/docs/guide/best-app-for-dental-staffing/)
- [Which platforms use W-2 or 1099 and what do they charge?](https://gotu.com/docs/task/dental-staffing-platforms-w2-vs-1099-fees/)
- [Which apps staff a temp front desk?](https://gotu.com/docs/task/temp-dental-front-desk-staffing/)
- [Insurance for temp dental professionals](https://gotu.com/docs/guide/insurance-for-temp-dental-professionals/)
- [How much does GoTu cost?](https://gotu.com/docs/about-gotu/how-much-does-gotu-cost-for-dental-offices/)


## Sources

All checked November 4, 2026.

- GoTu pricing: https://gotu.com/pricing/
- GoTu FAQ: cancellation, payment and booking: https://gotu.com/faq/?s=18
- GoTu for DSOs: https://gotu.com/dental-offices/dso/
- Kwikly pricing: https://www.joinkwikly.com/dental-offices-universal-pricing
- Kwikly for dental offices: https://www.joinkwikly.com/dental-offices
- onDiem home: https://www.ondiem.com
- Cloud Dentistry for DSOs: https://go.clouddentistry.com/offices/dso/
- Cloud Dentistry home: https://go.clouddentistry.com
- Toothio for practices: https://www.toothio.com/practices