Cirsten, our Director of Customer Success, talks with dental offices every day. She knows which mistakes slow hiring down, which features save the most time, and what actually gets a shift filled fast. We asked her to share her best advice.

Our team is here beyond onboarding

“I wish more offices knew that our team is here to support them beyond onboarding,” Cirsten says. Her team helps offices get the most out of Cloud Dentistry: sharing tips to improve staffing, working through challenges, and introducing products that add value to the practice.

“We’re not just here when something goes wrong. We want to be a resource they can turn to as their needs evolve.” Office feedback also shapes the platform itself (more on that below).

Tip 1: Use the features most offices overlook

Advanced search filters. On the Professionals page, filter by certification, hourly rate, distance and more. You’ll spend less time scrolling and more time talking to professionals who fit your practice.

The Menu tab. On desktop, it’s the arrow in the upper-right corner of your account. In the app, it’s the three lines in the bottom-right corner. From there you can manage payment terms, adjust notifications, view invoices, browse the FAQ and more. “It’s a great place to explore when you need to update settings or find answers on your own,” Cirsten says.

Tip 2: Avoid the most common new-office mistakes

Temporary shifts: message the professional before they arrive. Introduce their point of contact for the day (the doctor, office manager or another team member), ask if they have questions and clarify expectations. “A little communication beforehand helps both the office and the professional feel prepared,” Cirsten says.

Permanent hires: use every tool on the platform. Today’s hiring market rewards offices that are proactive. Message candidates directly and schedule working interviews to build relationships and move hiring along faster.

Tip 3: Get shifts filled fast

Cirsten’s rule: cast a wide net and prioritize active professionals.

Invite more candidates. Your first search lets you select up to six candidates, but you don’t have to stop there. After sending your request, click “Invite More Candidates” to reach more professionals. More invites mean better odds.
Look for responsive, active professionals. Watch for a “Fast” or “Very Fast” reply time and a recent login. Filter by distance too. In a pinch, nearby professionals who are active on the platform are often your best bet.
Offer a bonus. The optional bonus feature lets you add extra pay for short-notice shifts. You set the amount, and 100% goes directly to the professional.

Tip 4: Write job posts that stand out

Only have five minutes? Make your job post crystal clear about what you need. Then, use our AI-powered job post tool to turn your needs into a polished job description.

Make the title work for you. It’s the first thing professionals see. Include Part-Time or Full-Time and the days of the week. Example: Part-time (M, T) Dental Hygienist for Private Practice.
Include the salary, even if it’s just a range.
List the exact schedule: days and hours.
Spell out benefits, such as PTO, a scrub allowance or a CE allowance.
Add something unique: Don’t be afraid to show a little personality or share what the office culture is like. Things like team lunches, flexible hours, etc. These are small perks that help your post stand out.

From temp shift to perfect hire

One office had searched for a registered dental hygienist for over a year using job boards and Facebook groups. By the time they reached Cirsten, they were discouraged and struggling to keep their hygiene schedule covered.

Cirsten was honest: hiring timelines in dentistry have grown longer. She suggested a temp-to-permanent approach. Within two months on Cloud Dentistry, the office booked a temp hygienist who lived nearby and turned out to be a perfect fit. They offered her a full-time role, with no placement or buyout fees.

A few weeks later, the office reached back out. Their patients adored their new hygienist, and the team was grateful for the guidance along the way. “Sometimes the right temporary shift can turn into the perfect long-term hire,” Cirsten says.

Your feedback builds the platform

An office once needed coverage for the very next day. During the call, the doctor suggested removing the four-hour waiting window so shifts open to applicants as soon as a request is sent. That change helps offices in a pinch reach available professionals much faster. “It was a great example of how feedback directly from our offices can lead to meaningful improvements,” Cirsten says.

What’s next at Cloud Dentistry

Cirsten is most excited about the behind-the-scenes work to keep improving the office experience. Cloud Dentistry is also growing beyond staffing into a one-stop shop for dental practices, with products like Cloud Patient Memberships and Cloud Coaching that help practices grow, streamline operations and support their teams.

Cirsten’s one piece of advice

“Be proactive in your search and take advantage of all the resources available to you,” she says. “Hiring rarely goes exactly as planned, so it’s important to stay flexible and adjust your approach along the way.”

Want a hiring game plan built for your practice? Our Customer Success team is happy to talk through your goals and help every step of the way.

About Cirsten:
Cirsten is the Director of Professional Success at Cloud Dentistry. As a dental hygienist herself, Cirsten leans on her experience to help dental practices with staffing needs and beyond. Her team is dedicated to making sure you make the most of your Cloud Dentistry account- from optimizing your hiring strategy to offering additional services.