The Temp Trap: What Your Recruiting Strategy Is Costing You

The Temp Trap: What Your Recruiting Strategy Is Costing You

I hear some version of this almost every week from practice owners and even some DSO CEOs:

"We don't really use a recruiter. When we need someone, we just call the temp agency. If we like who they send, we offer them the job."

I understand the logic. Your hygiene chair is empty. Patients are scheduled. You can't afford a gap in production. The temp agency picks up the phone, sends someone within 24 hours, and the chair gets filled. It feels efficient. It feels controlled. It feels like you're not committing to the wrong person.

Here's the problem: what feels like the low-risk option is often the most expensive one. I’ll show you the math.