Your Guide to Professionalism During & After Every Shift

TempStars Talent Resource

At TempStars, we are proud to connect dental professionals with amazing offices across Canada and the United States. Every shift is an opportunity to showcase your skills, build your reputation, and grow your career. Whether a shift goes smoothly or presents challenges, how you show up — and how you handle things afterward — says everything about the kind of professional you are.

This guide is here to help you navigate both the great shifts and the difficult ones with confidence, integrity, and the support of the TempStars team behind you every step of the way.

During Your Shift — Showing Up as Your Best Professional Self

First impressions matter — and in temping, every shift is a first impression. Here are the key ways to bring your best professional self to every office you walk into.

Arrive ready and on time Your shift start time is when you are expected to be at your workstation, dressed in clinical attire and ready to begin. Plan your route in advance, account for travel time, and aim to be composed and prepared when you walk through the door.

Introduce yourself warmly A friendly greeting goes a long way. Introduce yourself to the office team, ask about the workflow for the day, and show genuine interest in fitting in smoothly with the team.

Respect the office's way of doing things Every office has its own systems, protocols, and preferences. Even if things are done differently than you're used to, approach it with an open mind. Asking questions professionally and following office-specific instructions shows adaptability and respect.

Communicate clearly and professionally Whether you're speaking with the dentist, front desk staff, or a patient — keep your communication warm, clear, and respectful at all times. This includes how you respond to direction, how you handle questions, and how you interact with patients in the chair.

Document and chart as you go Complete your charting and notes between patients rather than saving it all for the end of the day. This keeps the workflow smooth, demonstrates strong time management, and avoids disputes about your hours at the end of the shift.

Handle concerns professionally in the moment If something doesn't feel right during a shift — whether it's equipment, an instruction, or the office environment — address it calmly and professionally with the office manager or senior team member. Most concerns can be resolved through a simple, respectful conversation on the spot.

Never leave a shift early without first attempting resolution Leaving a shift without notice or without attempting to resolve the issue is considered unprofessional and may affect your account standing and compensation guarantees. If something is seriously wrong, contact TempStars support before making the decision to leave.

After Your Shift — Handling Every Experience with Integrity

How you handle things after a shift — especially a difficult one — is just as important as how you perform during it. This is where your professionalism truly shows.

Submit your invoice promptly and accurately Once your shift is complete, create and submit your invoice as soon as possible. Make sure your hours, unpaid breaks, and times are recorded accurately. An accurate invoice protects you and maintains trust with the office.

Leave honest, constructive feedback TempStars' rating system exists to help maintain quality and trust on both sides of the platform. After every shift, take a moment to leave honest, thoughtful feedback about the office. Your ratings help other dental professionals make informed decisions and help offices improve.

Keep it professional — even when it's hard It can be tempting to vent after a frustrating experience, but your feedback should always be factual, calm, and constructive. Avoid emotional language, personal attacks, or exaggerated claims. The most credible feedback is specific and measured.

When a Shift Doesn't Go Well — The Right Way to Handle It

Not every shift will be perfect — and that's okay. What matters is how you respond.

Step 1 — Take a breath before you act Emotions run high after a difficult experience. Before doing anything, give yourself a moment to process what happened. Reacting impulsively — whether through social media, review platforms, or formal complaints — can have serious unintended consequences for you and others.

Step 2 — Contact TempStars Support first This is the most important step. Before taking any action outside the platform, please reach out to our support team at help@tempstars.com. Share the details of what happened, include any screenshots or documentation you have, and let us investigate properly.

Our team takes every concern seriously — including reports of discrimination, harassment, and unprofessional conduct. When you come to us first, we are able to:

• Investigate the situation fully and fairly
• Hear both sides before drawing conclusions
• Take appropriate action against offices where legitimate concerns are confirmed
• Protect your account and reputation throughout the process
• Document the incident properly for any future escalation if needed

Step 3 — Let us do our job TempStars has a zero-tolerance policy for harassment and discrimination. If your concern is legitimate, we will act on it — and we will act decisively. Our team is experienced in handling sensitive situations, and we are committed to making sure every member of our community is treated with dignity and respect.

Giving us the opportunity to investigate before escalating externally ensures that the right outcome is reached — for you, for the office, and for the wider dental community.

A Note on External Reviews and Formal Complaints

We understand that when something feels wrong, the instinct to warn others or seek immediate action is completely human. However, we want to be transparent with you about the impact of going directly to external channels — such as Google reviews, the Royal College of Dental Surgeons of Ontario (RCDSO), or other regulatory bodies — before a proper investigation has taken place.

Why this matters:

Filing a formal complaint or leaving a public review about an office before an issue has been properly investigated can have serious consequences — including legal implications for you if the claims are found to be unsubstantiated. Regulatory bodies and review platforms take formal complaints seriously, and so do the offices receiving them.

If a concern turns out to be the result of a misunderstanding, a miscommunication, or does not meet the threshold of the complaint being filed, it can reflect poorly on you as a professional and may affect your standing on TempStars and in the broader dental community.

What we ask of you:

Come to us first. Always. We are your advocate and we are here to help — but we can only help if we know what's happening. If your concern is valid, we will support you fully and take every appropriate step. If external escalation is ultimately necessary, we will help guide you through that process properly and with the right documentation in place.

Our Commitment to You

TempStars is committed to being a platform where every dental professional feels safe, respected, and supported. We take reports of racism, discrimination, and unprofessional conduct extremely seriously, and we act on them. You have our word on that.

What we ask in return is that you trust the process — bring your concerns to us, give us the opportunity to investigate, and let us work with you toward the right outcome. Together, we can maintain the kind of professional community that everyone deserves to be part of.

Quick Reference — What to Do After a Difficult Shift

Questions or concerns? We're always here. 📧 help@tempstars.com

TempStars — Connecting great dental professionals with great dental offices.