FAQ
Commonly Asked Questions About Our Staffing Services
Do I have to sign a contract or pay a fee?
The dental offices pay our fee. We do require a contract, but it applies only to the offices to which we refer you. You are free to look for jobs on your own.
If you find a job on your own, neither you nor the dental office have to pay us a fee. However, you are obligated to tell us if a dental office to which we referred you asks you to return at any time within twelve months.
You are free to discontinue your association with us at any time. Watch out for staffing companies that have two-year contracts-ours is the industry standard.
What do I need for my interview with you?
You will need an error-free resume and documents that establish your identity and eligibility to work in the United States.
Depending on the position you are applying for, additional documents such as your professional license, CPR card, DEA, relevant certifications, and liability insurance may be required.
Do temporary jobs turn into permanent jobs?
All the time! Working temp is a great way to check out a lot of different offices until you find the right one for you.
Do I have to interview for temp jobs?
Not with dental offices-only with us. Our clients trust us to effectively screen and refer temps that will meet their needs. Sometimes, for long-term assignments like maternity leaves, we will allow interviews.
How much will I make working as a temporary?
On temp jobs, we set the hourly wage. Your compensation is based on the overall market conditions in Houston and on your experience. Frequently, people who work temp earn more than at their last permanent job.
If I work as a temp, how and when do I get paid?
Each dental office will pay you a predetermined hourly rate set by us. Some dental offices pay you at the end of the day or week. Some mail checks every two weeks.
How busy can you keep me?
We are always looking for temporary workers. We keep our temps pretty busy-especially those who can work any day of the week.
How busy you will be is dependent on the hours you are available and how far you are willing to drive. Most people are willing to drive a little further for a temp job than a permanent position.
How much notice will I get for temp jobs?
Some dental offices call us to schedule temps several months in advance and some call the morning of. Usually, you will have several days’ notice.
Will you continue to call me if I don’t accept every temp job or permanent job interview?
Of course. We understand that you may not be available every time we call. We will be happy to keep you in mind for temp jobs, even if you can only work one day a month. Just keep us posted on your availability.
Can you help me with temporary jobs if I can only work on occasion?
Absolutely! You tell us which days you are available and we will call you for work on those days.
Can you place me in jobs close to home?
We feel it is important for your long-term job satisfaction to work within a reasonable distance of your home, especially for a permanent job. It is OK for you to say “no” if we call you about a job you think is too far or the hours are inconvenient.
Do I have to work temp or can I just apply for permanent jobs?
If you are currently employed or just don’t want to work as a temp, we will be happy to conduct a permanent job search.
Are there part-time jobs available?
Yes! We can help with part-time jobs, full-time jobs, short-term temp jobs, and long-term temp jobs.
Can you help with both temporary and permanent jobs?
Yes! Unlike some staffing companies who deal mostly in temporary work, we have lots of permanent positions. We count many of Houston’s finest dental practices among our clients.
How long have you been in business?
We have served the Houston dental community since 1979. We are Houston’s pioneer dental staffing company. Having visited over 5000 dental offices and interviewed over 6000 applicants, we know what you are looking for.
Do I have to come to your office for an interview?
No! We have streamlined our application and interview process. Our application will be sent to you as an Adobe eSign Document that you can complete and sign online. Your interview will be conducted online via FaceTime, Duo, or WhatsApp.
How do I get started?
The first step is to send your resume. Once we evaluate your experience and work history, we will call you to discuss your needs and answer any questions you might have about working with a staffing company.
How much experience is required?
Depending on the position you are applying for, we have different experience requirements. We accept hygienists right out of school.
Dentists need one year or have completed one year of a residency program. Assistants and admin staff must have two years of experience.
Why should I use a staffing company?
Since many of our clients don’t advertise, we can open doors for you that are not accessible through your own efforts. Our clients have busy well established practices and are much more likely to offer benefits such as medical insurance and pension plans.
We will not waste your time by referring you to dental offices that are too far from your home, whose hours are inconvenient for your schedule, or who are not willing to meet your salary requirements. In short, we will not send you to dead-end interviews.
What can you do for me that I can’t do for myself?
We can reach people you can’t-people who aren’t actively looking for a new job.
We will refer people who live within a reasonable distance, meet your experience requirements, can work the hour you require, and whose salary requirements are within your salary range.
We will not waste your time by sending candidates that don’t match your requirements.
How long have you been in business?
We have served the Houston dental community since 1979. We are Houston’s pioneer dental staffing company. Having visited over 5000 dental offices and interviewed over 6000 applicants, we know what you are looking for.
Are your fees competitive with other staffing companies?
Very much so! Only a few dollars separate the daily temporary referral fees of Houston’s dental staffing companies, so choose the company that performs the most comprehensive interviews and background checks, and enforces the strictest standards.
Our permanent placement fees for hygienists and dentists are only a fraction of those charged by other well-established firms.
How long does it take to find a permanent employee?
Frequently we can set up interviews immediately, but in some cases, we may have to conduct a search that takes several days or weeks.
How much does it cost to interview candidates for permanent jobs?
Interviews are free. We charge a fee for our services only if you hire a candidate we refer.
How do you calculate the permanent placement fee?
Most staffing and recruiting firms base their fees on the “estimated annual compensation” of the person hired. Our fees are about half the industry standard.Feel free to call for a detailed quote.
What if my new employee doesn’t work out?
Should your employee leave or be terminated for any reason during the first ninety days, we will refund the entire permanent placement fee, which is less than what our daily temporary charges would have been had the person been working as a temp.
How much notice do you need to find a temporary worker?
We can usually find a temporary even if you call the night before or the morning of. With more notice, we can likely schedule the same person for the duration of the temporary assignment.
Who pays the temporary workers and how much do they earn?
It is your responsibility to pay the temporary worker a predetermined hourly wage that we set.
The hourly wages of assistants, admin staff, and temp dentists are set by us and vary depending on the duration of their experience, the quality of that experience, and the prevailing market conditions in Houston. All hygienists earn the same hourly wage.
How can I be sure your temporary is qualified?
We conduct an in-depth interview with each of our candidates/temporary workers. All our chairside and admin temporaries have a minimum of two years of experience. In fact, our chairside temporaries have an average of over ten years of experience.
Temp dentists have at least one year of experience or have completed a residency. We do have “new grad” hygienists, but will always seek approval prior to scheduling them at your office.
Can I interview temporary workers before they are sent to my office?
Due to time and personnel constraints, interviews are only available for long-term assignments like maternity leaves. On short-term assignments, we will be happy to have the temp call your office for a telephone interview.
How can I contact you to schedule a temporary if it is late at night or early morning?
We are available for emergencies outside our normal business hours. Call 713-953-9500 and select “Option 3”. Calls received after 9 PM will be returned at 6 AM.
Do I have to sign a contract and what are my obligations to you?
Yes. We feel it is important for our clients to know our policies. The more you know about us, the smoother our relationship will be.
Our fee agreement is an industry standard one year, easy to read, and free of legalese. Watch out for staffing companies with a two-year contract! Remember, you are free to look for employees on your own. Your obligation applies only to the people we refer to you.
Subcategories
Common Questions You May Have As An Applicant Article Count: 19
Common Questions You May Have As An Employer Article Count: 13
Testimonials
Jim’s is the ONLY place we go to find our temporary placements. They are always helpful and kind and always willing to work with us to get us the help we need. When we need help, they are the first and only place we turn to.
-Kim S., Office Manager / SEE MORE…
I would like to say as an R.D.H how great it is to work with MDC Dental Assistance. They are flexible and keep me busy when I want to be. MDC Dental Assistance is a valuable staffing company with flexible and kind staff.