We surveyed dental offices in May 2026 about what actually helps them hire well. The results point to one theme: transparency. Here is what the data says, and how Cloud Dentistry is built around it.

In a hurry? Here’s the short answer.

To hire dental staff faster and with more confidence, use a platform that shows you real profile scores and reviews before you book, add temporary professionals to your regular staffing plan, and pay attention to how professionals are ranked. Below is what our 2026 survey of dental offices found, and how to put it to work with Cloud Dentistry.

1. Quality and quantity: 82% of offices say both matter, and transparency is how you get them

In our 2026 survey, 82% of offices that responded told us that finding both enough candidates and the right candidates is their biggest hiring challenge. That tracks. The American Dental Association has reported ongoing shortages across hygiene and dental support roles, which makes it easy to feel like you are choosing between someone available and someone qualified.

Cloud Dentistry is built to close that gap with transparency. Before you send a single booking request, you can read verified reviews from other offices, view a professional’s profile score, and see their certifications and background check status. Nothing is hidden behind a recruiter’s pitch. See how this stacks up against other hiring sources in Dental Staffing Platforms vs. Traditional Job Boards, and see why traditional agencies often bury their fees in the fine print in a way Cloud Dentistry does not.

Do this today: before your next booking request, check the professional’s profile score and reviews. If something looks incomplete, message them and ask before you commit.

2. Add temps to your staffing plan: 69% of professionals want temp work

69% of Cloud Dentistry professionals who answered the survey told us they are interested in temp or per-diem work, not just permanent placement. That is a deep, ready pool of talent for offices that need flexible coverage for call-offs, PTO, or seasonal demand.

If temp staffing is not already part of your regular hiring plan, now is a good time to build it in. We cover why in Why Temp Dental Staff are the Best Solution for Dental Staffing Shortages, and how it plays into growth in How to Add More Patients with Temps.

Not sure the math works out? Our free Value Calculators show you exactly what an unfilled shift is costing your practice, and how much you would save filling it with a temp instead of paying agency markups.

Do this today: post your next open shift with temp coverage in mind and see how quickly you hear back from Cloud Dentistry’s temp-ready pool.

3. Profile scores: 60% of offices say they help; here is what is actually behind them

60% of responding offices told us a professional’s profile score genuinely helps them decide who to book. It is not a black box. The score is built from profile completeness (things like a background check, verified photo ID, and completed bio), certifications relevant to the role, and interactivity, meaning how quickly and reliably a professional responds to messages and completes the bookings they accept. See the full profile score breakdown for offices for the exact criteria.

In other words, a high profile score belongs to someone who shows up, responds fast, and keeps their credentials current. That is exactly the kind of professional you want on your schedule, and it is a big part of why our pool stands out from other staffing sources.

Do this today: next time you are comparing two candidates, let profile score help break the tie. It is doing more work than it looks like.

More ways to get the most out of Cloud Dentistry

Hiring is just the start. Once you have found the right professional, a few more tools help you get more out of your Cloud Dentistry account.

Cloud Coaching: on-demand training for your whole team, including onboarding modules for new hires and courses like HIPAA and OSHA, with unlimited users for a flat $49 per month.
Resource Center: free one-pagers on practice management topics, including how to use temps strategically and how job board costs stack up against Cloud Dentistry.
Patient Memberships: build your own in-house membership plans to grow recurring revenue beyond staffing.

Managing more than one location? Our DSO Solutions offer streamlined reporting and unlimited account admins.

Frequently Asked Questions

How can I find qualified dental staff faster with Cloud Dentistry?

Use the transparency built into the platform. Check a professional’s profile score, read verified reviews from other offices, and confirm certification status before you book. You can also rest assured that ALL professionals on the platform are fully background-checked at no additional cost to you or the professional. Most offices in our 2026 survey said this kind of transparency is what they need most.

Should temp staff be part of my regular hiring strategy?

Yes. The majority of professionals on Cloud Dentistry said they are open to temp work, which means there is a large, ready pool of talent to cover call-offs, PTO, and seasonal demand (like Summer Fridays!) without a long hiring process.

What determines a professional’s profile score?

Three things: profile completeness (background check, photo ID, bio), certifications relevant to the role, and interactivity, meaning how quickly and reliably they respond to messages and complete bookings. More than half of the offices in our 2026 survey said this score genuinely helps them decide who to book.

How is Cloud Dentistry different from a traditional staffing agency?

Cloud Dentistry gives offices full visibility into a professional’s credentials, reviews, and responsiveness before booking, with transparent pricing and no buyout fees. Unlike traditional boards like Indeed, Cloud Dentistry is also a dental-specific staffing platform, so your job post reaches only those qualified for your positions.

The final bite

Hiring well is not about luck. It is about visibility. When you can see a professional’s reviews, credentials, and profile score before you book, and when you build temp coverage into your regular plan, you spend less time guessing and more time running your practice. Offices told us exactly what helps them hire well. The least we can do is build around it.

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