Dr Laura Hunter explores what it is like to be a locum dentist and whether locuming is the right choice for you.

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The work-from-home life will unfortunately never be a reality for dentists. The dream of being a digital nomad logging in to Zoom calls from exotic locations is also out of the question. But luckily we work in an industry with enough demand and communities in need, that working and travelling is something we can tie together.

I am of course referring to locum work. For those that are unfamiliar with the term, a locum is required when a practice or community expresses their need for a dentist (or nurse or medical doctor) for a short-term contract, usually ranging from a few weeks to a few months. The most common reasons for locum positions are when permanent staff go on extended vacations, maternity leave or even just to help relieve the pressure of a mounting patient base and inability to service everyone in need.

I have had the pleasure of locuming for the past 12 months, which has come with some perks and some sacrifices, so I hope by sharing my experience, it may give some insight into whether locuming is right for you.

Sampling public vs private

If you’ve ever hummed and hawed about whether you are more suited to a life of private dentistry or public, this is a fantastic way to trial without committing to a permanent contract. Public dentistry is often salary based and comes with the benefits of a salaried job such as superannuation, annual leave, personal leave, and maternity leave. However, on a locum contract you are still considered casual and while paid a salary, do not get those leave entitlements. Working in public dentistry is no easy feat, the never-ending list of patients in need, most being pain and emergency issues can be overwhelming. But, I found my three months working for NSW Health of great benefit to my skills as an emergency clinician and it also gave me a great experience with a whole new demographic of patients.

“We have a skill that can help communities in dire need with limited access to dental treatment”

Dentistry is a medical service and I find that too many of us forget that, especially in this day and age of cosmetic dentistry. To be reminded that we have a skill that can really help out communities in dire need with limited access to dental treatment is humbling as well as rewarding. The other great aspect of public is never having to discuss costs with patients, which can be a very daunting and awkward part of the job. You may find that treatment plans can be limited by available resources, but not having to provide second, third or even fourth best alternative treatments due to financial restrictions is liberating.

Public locum jobs can take you to wonderful remote areas in Australia that you might otherwise never experience. These towns can be quite isolated and in some instances you may find English isn’t spoken at all and co-ordination with the local communities is through translators or elders. I found overwhelming appreciation for the work completed in the public system. Most patients are extremely grateful that you have chosen to work in these remote areas with intentions to help as many people as possible in the short time you are stationed. It is not for the faint hearted however, many patients are dealing with issues outside of oral health, such as addiction and poor mental health, which can add to the complexity of treatment.

One restriction of locuming in the public sector is the inability for continuation of care. Depending on the length of contract you may find, just as you start to make progress, build rapport, and work through lengthy treatment plans, that your contract is over and you’re moving on to the next place. This can be hard for both patient and practitioner when they have built trust in you as a clinician and you feel an obligation not to abandon them before your work is complete. You are constantly working against time and never seeing the end of treatment to the recall phase can become unfulfilling after a while.

Perks of being a locum

To appeal to dental practitioners and encourage them to come for short contracts, locum jobs often come with a few extra perks. It can vary between job offers but the standard locum contracts include accommodation, flights to and from the job site, daily retainers or commission split (whatever is higher) and in some cases they provide a rental car for the duration of the contract. If you’re after a way to save a lot of money in a short period of time this can be a really great way to cut almost all living expenses, barring food and petrol. The accommodation can either be hospital-provided facilities (public) which are usually pretty basic, or in the case of the private sector they give a daily allowance for Airbnbs or rentals. I have lived in some wonderful houses that I couldn’t dream of thanks to the generous living allowances of my contracts.

Downsides of being a locum

It all sounds too good to be true right? No living expenses, great exposure to a variety of work and different patients, jetting from one amazing location to the next. I have painted a rosy picture because my experience overall has been a rich and wonderful one, but that doesn’t mean it hasn’t presented its own set of challenges.

Locuming comes with all these perks due to the instability and lack of security that comes with the contract. Most agreements are undertaken while the practice tries to find a full time permanent staff member to join the team, thus the clauses usually stipulate that only a weeks’ notice is required from both parties. So, one minute you may find yourself settled and in the swing of the job, and one week later you have been replaced by a clinician who has joined the team permanently.

Secondly, unless you are living your best single life or have a completely digital nomadic partner, locuming can be very difficult to manage with a significant other. Speaking from personal experience, I had to leave my partner behind in Victoria while I worked across NSW. Having met doing long distance this wasn’t our first rodeo, but for a lot of people this will detract from the locum experience as it can be a large sacrifice to leave them behind. During a contract, especially shorter ones, the standard is no days off or leave taken and finding time to visit loved ones can be extremely tricky. However, you can choose lengths of time away that suits your relationship and I still maintain that it is worth it for the experience.

Finally, depending on personality type and social battery, jumping between practices and new places can be quite lonely. Building up friendships and relationships with co-workers takes time and just as you’ve settled in, it’s time to move on. Always being the new person at work and not knowing how the practice flows is also a challenge, but it teaches the practitioner to be more adaptable and helps with problem solving. You’ll find you’re often out of your comfort zone or using unfamiliar equipment. One tip for starting up a locum position at any dental practice would be to get a list of specialists in the area, so when it comes time to refer a patient on, you’re not stuck looking like a complete out-of-towner.

Is it right for you?

When colleagues ask me whether or not I think they should try locuming it’s hard to give a direct yes or no answer. There is no way of knowing until you’ve tried it as each contract, location, and personal circumstance is different. While I have had a really positive experience overall and think it has made me a much better dentist, I do recognise that it may not be for everyone. There is some dumb luck in regards to people you meet and work with, but a lot of it will come down to personality and stage in your life. If you are feeling stagnant in your career or even wanting a change of scenery, then I would highly recommend trying it out. In some instances, you may even be able to treat it as a sabbatical and take time off from your permanent job to try it out. If you’re after more information on what jobs and locations are available then contacting a recruitment agency is the best way to facilitate that. It never hurts just to have a look.

Dr Laura Hunter graduated with honours in microbiology and immunology from the University of Otago in her home of New Zealand before deciding to venture across the Tasman to Sydney, Australia. After working in an Alzheimer's research lab for a year she began a Doctor of Dental Medicine at the University of Sydney and graduated at the height of Covid in 2021. Having worked full time for the past three years, Dr Hunter has worked in both public and private sectors and is currently working in rural Australia as a locum dentist.