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TempStars Review

The leading dental temping and hiring app in North America

staffingEst. 2015Toronto, ONUpdated Apr 2026Visit website

Our Verdict

TempStars is the OG dental staffing app -- the platform that proved you could match dental offices with temp hygienists through a mobile app instead of calling an agency at 6 AM. Founded in 2015 by Dr. James Younger, a dentist who got fed up with unreliable temp agencies, TempStars has grown to serve over 8,000 dental offices and 18,000+ dental professionals across North America. With 630+ Google reviews and a 97% satisfaction rate among dental professionals, TempStars has earned its position as the market leader in dental temping. The pricing is transparent, the model is proven, and the network effects are strong. It is not perfect, but it is the platform everyone else is chasing.

4.0/ 5.0
Excellent

Best For

Dental offices needing same-day or short-notice temporary hygienists and assistants. The largest dental temp marketplace in North America with transparent per-shift pricing and zero hiring fees.

Quick Summary
VendorTempStars
Founded2015
DeploymentCloud-based
Key strengthThe largest dental temp network in North America with 8,000+ offices and 18,000+ professionals -- network scale means faster fills and more shift options than any competitor.
PricingCustom-quoted per location
Getting startedFree personalized demo

Full Review


What Is TempStars?

TempStars is a mobile marketplace that directly connects dental offices with temporary hygienists, dental assistants, and office staff. The model is simple: an office posts a shift with the date, time, role, and pay rate. Dental professionals in the area receive real-time notifications and can send offers that include their resume and preferred hourly rate. The office reviews reliability ratings and performance history, then accepts the best fit.

What makes TempStars work is the network. With 8,000+ dental offices and 18,000+ dental professionals, the platform has the critical mass needed to fill shifts quickly -- even on short notice. The 24/7 real-time availability means you are not waiting for an agency to open at 9 AM when your hygienist calls in sick at 7 AM.

Dr. James Younger built TempStars because he experienced the dental staffing problem firsthand as a practicing dentist. That origin story shows in the product: the workflows are designed around how dental offices actually operate, not how a generic staffing platform thinks they should.


Who Is It For?

Dental offices that need emergency fill-ins: Your hygienist called in sick. You have a full column of patients. TempStars lets you post a shift and get offers from available hygienists in your area within minutes.

Offices that use temps regularly: If you consistently need 1-2 temp days per week (to cover multiple hygiene columns, maternity leave, vacations, etc.), TempStars' per-shift pricing is more economical than agency contracts.

Dental professionals who want to temp on their terms: Hygienists and assistants set their own rates, choose their own shifts, and build their own schedules. The app shows office details, pay, and reviews before you commit.

Offices looking to hire permanent staff: TempStars charges zero hiring fees if you want to convert a temp to a permanent employee. Most staffing agencies charge 15-25% of annual salary for permanent placements.

Canadian and US practices: TempStars started in Canada and expanded to the US. The Canadian network is particularly strong given TempStars' first-mover advantage there.


Key Features

Real-Time Shift Posting: Offices post shifts with role, date, time, and pay rate. Notifications go out immediately to matching professionals in the area. Available 24/7 -- no waiting for business hours.

Two-Way Matching: Professionals send offers with their resume and hourly rate. Offices review reliability ratings, performance history, and qualifications before accepting. Both sides have information to make an informed decision.

Reliability and Performance Ratings: Transparent rating system that builds accountability. High-rated professionals get more shift offers. Low-rated professionals (or offices) see their options narrow. This self-policing mechanism improves quality over time.

Invoice and Job Management: Professionals can manage invoices and track past jobs directly in the app. Payment terms vary but the platform facilitates the financial relationship between office and professional.

No Hiring Fees: If an office wants to hire a temp permanently, TempStars charges nothing. This is a major differentiator from traditional staffing agencies.

Coverage for Multiple Roles: Not just hygienists -- TempStars covers dental assistants and office staff as well, though hygienist staffing is the primary use case.


Pricing

TempStars has the most transparent pricing in dental staffing:

  • Canada: $73 + tax per completed shift
  • United States: $38 per completed shift
  • No subscriptions: You only pay when you use the service
  • No hiring fees: Convert a temp to permanent staff at zero cost

There are no hidden fees, no monthly minimums, and no long-term contracts. Dental professionals use the platform for free.

For context, traditional dental staffing agencies typically charge 30-50% markups on hourly rates plus placement fees for permanent hires. TempStars' flat per-shift fee is dramatically cheaper for offices that use temps regularly.


Pros

  • Largest dental temp network in North America (8,000+ offices, 18,000+ professionals)
  • Most transparent pricing in dental staffing -- flat per-shift fee, no surprises
  • Zero hiring fees for permanent conversions
  • 97% satisfaction rate among dental professionals (630+ Google reviews)
  • Founded by a dentist who understood the problem firsthand
  • 24/7 availability for same-day and short-notice shift posting

Cons

  • 1099 contractor model means offices and professionals handle tax compliance themselves
  • No workers' comp or malpractice insurance provided (unlike Teero's W-2 model)
  • Quality varies -- some offices report inconsistent temp quality despite the rating system
  • Canadian pricing ($73/shift) is nearly double the US rate ($38/shift)
  • Payment flows through the platform but is not instant -- professionals may wait for payment
  • App interface could use a design refresh

The Bottom Line

TempStars is the dental staffing platform with the strongest network effects in North America. Eight thousand offices and 18,000 professionals mean faster fills and more options than any competitor. The transparent per-shift pricing and zero hiring fees make the economics simple and predictable. The main limitation is the 1099 contractor model -- if compliance risk worries you, Teero's W-2 approach may be worth the likely higher per-shift cost. But for pure marketplace scale, fill speed, and pricing transparency, TempStars is the benchmark everyone else is measured against.

This review is based on publicly available information, user reviews, and independent research. The Molar Report does not accept payment for editorial placement or rankings. Read our editorial policy. Something look off? Let us know.


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