Why Is Dental Recruitment Still So Challenging?
There isn’t one single reason why practices struggle to recruit. Instead, several long-term workforce challenges continue to affect the profession.
These include:
- Ongoing workforce shortages
- Increased demand for dental services
- Greater competition between NHS, mixed and private practices
- Changing work-life priorities among dental professionals
- Longer recruitment times for permanent vacancies
According to NHS England’s Dental Workforce Survey, recruitment and retention remain among the biggest challenges facing NHS dental providers, with thousands of full-time equivalent vacancies reported across NHS dentistry.
The Association of Dental Groups has also warned that the UK faces a shortage of around 3,000 dentists, reducing capacity to treat approximately 4.5 million patients every year.
Although registration numbers remain relatively stable, where professionals choose to work, and whether they choose permanent or flexible roles, continues to change.
The Impact of Staff Shortages
When practices are short-staffed, the effects extend far beyond simply filling a vacancy. Common challenges include:
- Cancelled or postponed appointments
- Reduced treatment capacity
- Longer waiting times for patients
- Increased pressure on existing team members
- Higher stress levels
- Greater risk of burnout
Over time, these pressures can also affect staff retention. When permanent employees are continually covering additional duties, morale can suffer, making recruitment even more difficult.
Supporting your existing team is just as important as finding new staff. Our guide to Managing Stress During Busy Clinic Periods shares practical advice on reducing pressure and supporting staff wellbeing.
Dental Professionals Are Looking for Greater Flexibility
The way people work has changed significantly over the past few years, and dentistry is no exception. Many dental professionals now prioritise:
- Flexible working hours
- Better work-life balance
- Variety in their working week
- Opportunities to gain experience in different clinical settings
- Greater control over where and when they work
For many dental nurses, locum work offers exactly that. Working across different practices allows professionals to develop new skills, build confidence and enjoy greater flexibility while continuing to deliver high-quality patient care.
If you’re curious about why more professionals are choosing temporary work, read our guide to the Benefits of Locum Dental Nursing.
Want to know what it’s really like working across multiple practices? The Life of a Locum Dental Nurse provides an insight into the rewarding and varied nature of locum work.
Why More Practices Are Turning to Locum Staff
Locum professionals were once viewed primarily as an emergency solution for last-minute sickness. In 2026, that’s no longer the case. Many practices now use locum dental professionals as part of their long-term workforce planning, helping them remain flexible while maintaining excellent patient care. Locums can provide valuable support during:
- Annual leave
- Staff sickness
- Maternity or paternity leave
- Recruitment gaps
- Busy seasonal periods
- Unexpected increases in patient demand
Rather than placing additional pressure on permanent staff, practices can quickly bring in experienced professionals who are ready to integrate into the team.
If you’re already thinking ahead to holiday cover, our Summer Holiday Cover in Dentistry guide explains how planning early can help reduce disruption while protecting staff wellbeing.
Don’t Wait Until You’re Short-Staffed
One of the biggest mistakes practices make is waiting until there’s a staffing emergency before looking for support. By that stage, appointment books are already full, patients may need to be rescheduled and existing staff are often working under increased pressure.
Many successful practices now build relationships with specialist locum agencies before they actually need cover. Having an established recruitment partner means you’re prepared when:
- Someone calls in sick
- A team member takes unexpected leave
- Annual leave overlaps
- Permanent recruitment takes longer than expected
Planning ahead allows your practice to respond quickly without compromising patient care.
Why Work With a Specialist Dental Agency?
Finding experienced temporary staff at short notice can be challenging without the right support. A specialist dental agency understands the unique demands of dental practices and can quickly match experienced professionals to your requirements.
Working with a dedicated dental recruitment agency can help you:
- Reduce disruption to appointments
- Maintain service levels during staffing shortages
- Access experienced GDC-registered professionals
- Save valuable recruitment time
- Reduce pressure on your permanent team
Unlike general recruitment agencies, specialist dental recruiters understand the pace of modern dental practices and the importance of finding professionals who can adapt quickly.
If you’re unsure what to look for in an agency, our guide on Choosing the Right Dental Agency explains how to find the right recruitment partner for your practice.
You may also find our article on Agency Dental Nursing: Challenges and Strategies helpful if you’re considering introducing agency professionals into your team.
Locum Staff Are an Investment, Not Just an Emergency Solution
Some practices hesitate to use temporary staff because they focus on the immediate cost. However, cancelled appointments, lost clinical time and overstretched teams often have a much greater financial impact.
Reliable locum cover helps practices:
- Maintain appointment availability
- Protect revenue
- Improve patient satisfaction
- Reduce staff burnout
- Maintain continuity of care
Increasingly, flexible staffing isn’t viewed as an emergency expense, it’s becoming an important part of building a resilient practice.
Looking Ahead
Although recruitment challenges are unlikely to disappear overnight, practices that adapt to today’s workforce landscape are far better positioned for success.Planning ahead, supporting existing staff and embracing flexible staffing solutions can make a significant difference to both patient care and team wellbeing. Locum professionals are no longer simply filling gaps, they’re helping practices remain agile, resilient and able to continue delivering excellent care throughout the year.
How Cavity Dental Staff Can Help
At Cavity Dental Staff, we specialise in connecting dental practices with experienced, GDC-registered locum dental professionals across the UK. Whether you need emergency sickness cover, annual leave cover, maternity cover or support while recruiting permanently, our experienced recruitment team is here to help. Our nationwide network of trusted locum dental nurses allows us to respond quickly, helping practices minimise disruption while maintaining exceptional standards of patient care.
If you’re looking for reliable temporary dental staff, visit our Book Staff page to discuss your requirements with our friendly team.
Are you a dental nurse looking for flexible opportunities? Visit our Join Our Team page to register with Cavity Dental Staff and discover the benefits of locum work.
Planning ahead has never been more important. By working with a trusted specialist dental agency, practices can navigate ongoing recruitment challenges with confidence while ensuring patients continue to receive the high-quality care they deserve.