Are you thinking about returning to work after a career break? Perhaps you want to reduce your commitment from full to part time work, getting the balance right between work and family life. Or perhaps you just feel like a change! Imagine a great way of working the hours and days that suit you best and to be paid well for doing so.  Is this possible? Yes it is. For today’s dental professional, working as a locum is a real work option.

Times are changing

There was a time when locums were frowned upon. The dental profession was slow to appreciate the role of the locum, a role that is highly regarded and established in other professions. But all this has changed in recent years.

The term locum comes from the Latin for ‘to hold the place’. Dentists may decide to hold the place for a short term – from two weeks to six months – or for much longer periods. Some locums even choose to remain in a permanent post after taking the time to get to know the practice as a locum.

For recently qualified dentists or those who have worked in the same place for some time, locum work is a great way to build up on experience and to see practically how other professsionals tackle different dental and marketing challenges. Seeing how to approach dental and marketing problems from different angles is invaluable in such a hands-on profession.

A working holiday

Sarah, a Browns Locumlink client, uses locum work and has this to say: ‘While I have my own practice, I love to take a week out each year, and as a locum I get to vist another part of the country and see how others are tackling issues. It’s like a holiday, but the great thing is I get paid.’ In this same way, if you have been qualified for some time, a spell as a locum can work as a real refresher, allowing you to see and experience new approaches in established practices.

Whether it is a change in location or in working environment, locum work can be a great opportunity for the sheer variety of work and experience on offer. It is also ideal for those who have just moved into the area and want to settle and assess the whole situation before making any permanent decisions. ‘It was great that I was able to have locum work lined up before I left Scotland. When you are moving to the other end of the country and there are so many things to organise it was a relief to know that I had a great place to work.’ Said Lisa, after we have found her locum work.

Starting a practice

This is also a great option if you are starting your own practice. It enable you to bridge the time gap by working in other practices, gaining knowledge, experience and amassing funds at the same time. Also, retired dentists can boost income with either part- or full-time withouth the full-time responsibility that comes with permanent positions.

Joanne sold her practice and, with a sigh of relief, turned her back on the trials and tribulations of running a practice. Now she was ready to enjoy her dentistry again and thought a spell as a locum would give her a chance to look around before committing herself. She enjoyed this so much she now works as a professional locum.

In between staff

For practice owners, locums are invaluable to supply services between one dentist leaving and another being appointed. Indeed, a locum may be appointed to a vacant permanent position but working on a temporary basis first gives both parties the opportunity to assess each other over time without pressure or immediate commitment. There are some very talented dentists enjoying the freedom of locum work.

If you are looking for new challenges why not think about becoming a professional locum? It’s a great way to make a change.

There has been a large increase in demand for locum & permanent dentists and over the last few years. With the growth of the corporate market, we envisage the demand to increase through out the UK.

We have opportunities throughout the UK in all sorts of practices, short or long-term.

The remuneration is excellent and the chance to work when you want to and work in different areas of the country, all make the locum career an attractive one.

Please contact the team on 020 8927 0972 or by email on webdental@brownslocumlink.com