At TempStars, the safety and satisfaction of all dental professionals and patients is our #1 concern. To help our members feel confident getting back to work post-COVID, we’ve spent months making improvements to our service to better serve you. From updated app features to improved communication tools, here are some of the things we’ve implemented to get you all back to work safely.
Knowledge Base / Help Centre
In an effort to make it easier for members to find answers to their questions, we’ve created a Knowledge Base page with searchable information – think of it as a “Self-service Help Centre”. We compiled common questions we get from members and answered those questions all in one convenient and user-friendly page. Knowledge Base articles help members (and future members!) find information on TempStars, our job board, app features, policies, managing shift-related issues, and even provincial PPE policies. The Knowledge Base is new and will continue to build out over time based on real member questions and concerns!
In-App Help Widget
We recognize that members have questions regarding taking shifts and using the app as they head back to work. For the questions you can’t answer using the Knowledge Base, or for more pressing concerns, we have developed an in-app Help Widget. It’s the little red “Help” flag on the app home screen. From right in the app, you can get in touch with our fantastic ticket agents with the click of a button. Communication solves most questions and concerns, and we just made that easier for you to do!
PPE Confirmations from Dental Offices
We get a lot of questions about PPE for temping shifts, and it’s something our team is constantly discussing – how to find ways to improve the trust, safety and transparency of office’s PPE protocols and supplies. So we’ve made an important update to the way our app (and service) works, to stay on top of evolving guidelines.
When an office posts a temping shift to TempStars, they must confirm that they have the proper PPE and Infection Control protocols in place that meet or exceed the provincial guidelines. If aerosol generating procedures are expected to take place, they must also check off the PPE required from a list that matches the guidelines. Finally, they confirm again before accepting any offers.
In provinces where guidelines differ between dental and hygiene regulatory bodies, offices must confirm that they have met the hygiene college protocols for any hygienist shifts. For example, Ontario dental offices will confirm that they’ve met CDHO guidelines for hygienist shifts.
Shift Compensation Guarantee
We understand that even with the PPE guarantees we’ve put into place, there must be extra safeguards for hygienists and assistants who arrive to an office with inadequate PPE. To manage those rare instances, we’ve adopted a policy that all offices agree to compensate for the entire shift (minus lunch break) if the hygienist/assistant arrives to find inadequate PPE and must leave the shift as a result. This helps to hold offices accountable to their PPE guarantees, while protecting our hygienist and assistant members as well. Ultimately, it will contribute to a safer work environment for everyone!
Providing COVID Resources
When dental offices closed due to COVID-19, TempStars made it a mission to provide dental professionals with information and updates to help them make decisions as we moved through the stages of the pandemic. Through our social media posts, live interviews, articles, knowledge base, and more, we’ve done our best to keep our members and our wider audience of professionals in the know!
At the beginning of the pandemic, we interviewed employment lawyer Stuart Rudner to help dental offices, employees, and temp contractors understand their rights and obligations. Throughout the pandemic, we’ve updated our knowledge base, social pages, and written articles with the most up-to-date provincial guidelines.
Looking to the Future
All of these actions we have taken are because our mission is to make dental professionals happier at work. This dedication does not end here with COVID slowing down and offices reopening. Our team will continue to discuss how we can improve and respond to the needs of our members based on feedback and the changing industry. By adapting quickly and being nimble, we can make TempStars better for everybody involved, and ultimately help make the dental profession better for everybody.
Thank you all for your feedback, engagement and continued support through what has been a difficult time. We know the future is bright, and we will be right here with you as we work towards a new normal.
If you are not yet a member of TempStars, let’s get going! Sign up for free today – pick up great temping shifts, or look for that dream job.
