Prepare for a temp hygienist's first day with this office checklist

Summary

Prepare a working PMS login, a shared schedule, clear appointment lengths and a named person for questions before a temp hygienist arrives. On arrival, walk through the office, instruments and charting conventions. During the shift, keep schedule changes and handoffs clear. Close the day with feedback and any unfinished tasks assigned to someone.

The Checklist

Before the shift

• Prepare an individual PMS login with the access needed for the shift.
• Print or securely share the day's schedule through the office's usual process.
• Confirm appointment lengths and note where the schedule needs clarification.
• Name the person the hygienist should ask about workflow or schedule questions.
• Share arrival time, parking details and the correct office entrance.
• Check that the assigned operatory has the supplies needed for the day's work.

On arrival

• Introduce the hygienist to the dentist and the team working that shift.
• Give a short tour, including the operatory, staff area and supply storage.
• Show the sterilization area and explain the office's instrument workflow.
• Locate instrument sets and explain where to find replacement supplies.
• Review charting conventions and where the office records completed work.
• Confirm the login works before the first appointment begins.
• Review the schedule together and identify who will communicate changes.

During the shift

• Check in after the first appointment to resolve workflow questions.
• Communicate schedule changes directly to the hygienist and relevant team members.
• Make the named contact available for questions about office procedures.
• Confirm how the hygienist should hand off patients and unfinished documentation.
• Record unresolved operational questions for the end-of-shift discussion.

After the shift

• Review unfinished tasks and assign each one to a team member.
• Ask the hygienist what was clear and what would improve the next shift.
• Give specific feedback about communication, preparation and office workflow.
• Update the next-shift checklist with any missing instructions or supplies.

How to Use It

Give one team member responsibility for preparation. Work through the first group before the shift, then use the arrival group as a short orientation. Adapt the general office tasks to your own procedures. A checked box should mean the task is complete, rather than that someone plans to do it later.

Teero staffing needs no PMS integration. Teero hygienists are trained on Dentrix, Eaglesoft, Open Dental, Curve, Carestack, Dentrix Ascend and others. Still review your office's charting conventions and the day's workflow together.

Teero office profiles show software and appointment lengths. Offices can see a hygienist's phone number before confirming. Use those details when planning the first-day handoff. Offices can also favorite hygienists.

Download

Download the temp hygienist first-day checklist as a plain-text file. Print a copy or add office-specific notes in a text editor. Keep the general checklist separate from patient details and use your normal office systems for the schedule.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who should own this checklist? Assign it to a team member who can coordinate the schedule, login and arrival tour. That person can ask others to complete individual tasks and confirm that preparation is finished.

Does software familiarity replace an office orientation? Review the local workflow even when the hygienist knows the software. Charting conventions, supply locations and appointment handoffs are office-specific details that this checklist helps explain.

Should we use the checklist again for a returning hygienist? Review what has changed since the last shift. A returning hygienist may still need an updated schedule, a working login and a reminder of who is available for questions.

Takeaway

A prepared office gives a temp hygienist clear access, instructions and a contact from the start. Teero staffs dental hygienists only; the office checklist covers the local preparation for their shift. See Teero's staffing FAQ for details about using the service.