How to Use Search Filters to Find the Right Locum
Airlocum's search filter system lets dental practices refine their locum search by star rating, price, distance, and specialist skills — so you can match the right professional to each shift quickly, whether you need a routine dental nurse for tomorrow or a sedation-qualified locum for a specialist session. This guide explains each filter, when to use it, and how to combine them without reducing your fill rate.
⚡ At a glance — the four filters ⭐ Star Rating — prioritise the highest-rated locums in your results 💷 Price — set a maximum hourly rate to match your budget 📍 Distance — limit results to locums within a set travel radius 🎓 Skills — match locums with specific qualifications (sedation, implants, ortho, scanner) |
The Four Search Filters — Explained
⭐ Star Rating — prioritise quality and reliability What it does Sorts your search results so the highest-rated locums appear first. Ratings are left by other dental practices after each completed shift. Recommended setting 4+ stars for consistently strong performers. For critical or complex shifts, consider filtering to 4.5+ stars. Best used for Any shift where reliability and professional standard are the priority — particularly first-time bookings or clinically demanding sessions. Tip A locum's star rating reflects feedback from real practices. Combine with the reliability score (visible on each profile) for the fullest picture of their track record. |
💷 Price — control costs and set your budget What it does Sets a maximum hourly rate cap so only locums at or below your budget appear in results. The full cost (hourly rate + Airlocum service fee + VAT) is shown transparently at checkout. Best used for Routine cover shifts where cost control is the primary concern, or when filling multiple shifts in a short period. Tip Higher hourly rates often reflect greater experience, specialist skills, or strong demand for a particular locum. For specialist shifts (e.g. sedation, implants), consider loosening the price filter to avoid excluding the most qualified candidates. Urgent shifts If a shift is short-notice and unfilled, consider removing the price filter temporarily to maximise your available pool. |
📍 Distance — find locums close to your practice What it does Limits search results to locums within a set travel radius from your practice. Measured as travel distance, not straight-line distance. Best used for Last-minute or same-day cover where you need someone who can arrive quickly. Also useful in congested areas where longer commutes may cause lateness. Tip Locums closer to your practice typically have lower travel costs, which can make your booking request more attractive to accept. A shorter commute also reduces the risk of a late arrival. Urgent shifts For short-notice bookings, combine the distance filter with Quick Book to prioritise nearby, available locums first. |
🎓 Skills — match specialist qualifications to your shift What it does Filters results to show only locums with specific clinical qualifications relevant to your shift. All listed skills are verified by Airlocum before a locum can select them on their profile. Available skills • Conscious sedation qualified For sessions involving IV or inhalation sedation. Requires verified training and certification. • Orthodontic nursing qualified For orthodontic clinics requiring specialist nursing support. • Implant nursing qualified For implant placement or restoration sessions requiring scrub-trained support. • Intra-oral scanner proficient Locum can complete a full-mouth scan in under 10 minutes. Useful for practices using digital impression workflows. Best used for Specialist procedure sessions, or any shift where a particular qualification is a clinical or regulatory requirement. Important Only apply skills filters when the qualification is genuinely required for the shift. Over-filtering can significantly reduce your available pool and slow fill times, especially for urgent cover. |
Quick Reference: When to Apply Each Filter
Filter | Planned shifts | Urgent / same-day shifts |
⭐ Star Rating | Apply freely — prioritise 4+ stars for quality assurance. | Use if speed allows. Consider removing if your pool is too small. |
💷 Price | Apply to match your budget for routine cover. | Consider removing to maximise pool size and fill speed. |
📍 Distance | Optional — useful if punctuality is a concern. | Apply to prioritise nearby locums for faster arrival. |
🎓 Skills | Apply only when a qualification is clinically required. | Only apply if the skill is non-negotiable. Otherwise remove. |
💡 The golden rule: start broad, then narrow Always begin your search without filters — or with only the filter that is strictly necessary. Check how many locums appear in your unfiltered results first. Then apply filters one at a time and watch how your available pool changes. For urgent or same-day cover, fewer filters = faster fill. For planned specialist sessions, filters help you find exactly the right person. If your filtered results show fewer than 10 locums, consider relaxing one filter before sending. |
Combining Filters — Common Scenarios
Scenario 1: Routine dental nurse cover, planned in advance
Recommended filters: Star Rating (4+) + Price (your budget cap) + Distance (comfortable travel range). Leave Skills unfiltered unless the session genuinely requires specialist nursing.
Scenario 2: Same-day emergency cover
Recommended filters: Distance only (tightest practical radius). Remove price and rating filters to maximise your available pool. Use Quick Book for fastest results.
Scenario 3: Sedation session — conscious sedation nurse required
Recommended filters: Skills (Conscious sedation qualified) + Distance. Consider loosening the price filter to avoid excluding the most experienced sedation nurses. Send to the widest possible pool of qualified locums.
Scenario 4: Implant day — scrub nurse needed
Recommended filters: Skills (Implant nursing qualified) + Star Rating (4.5+). Book as far in advance as possible — specialist-qualified locums are in higher demand and fill faster when given more notice.
Scenario 5: Booking from your Favourites list
Use the 'My Favourites First' option alongside any skill or distance filters. Your pre-approved locums will receive the request first. If none accept within 15 minutes, the request widens automatically to the broader pool — respecting all other filters you applied.
Frequently Asked Questions
What filters are available when searching for a dental locum on Airlocum?
Airlocum offers four search filters: Star Rating (sort by highest-rated locums), Price (set a maximum hourly rate), Distance (limit results by travel radius from your practice), and Skills (filter by specific qualifications including conscious sedation, orthodontic nursing, implant nursing, and intra-oral scanner proficiency).
Can I filter for a sedation-qualified dental nurse locum?
Yes. Use the Skills filter and select 'Conscious sedation qualified'. All locums with this skill listed have had the qualification verified by Airlocum before it appears on their profile. For sedation sessions, book as early as possible — specialist-qualified locums are in higher demand.
Can I filter for an implant-qualified dental nurse locum?
Yes. Select 'Implant nursing qualified' in the Skills filter. These locums are trained to assist with implant placement and restoration procedures. As with sedation, booking in advance improves your chances of securing the right locum.
Will applying filters reduce my chances of filling the shift?
Yes — every filter you apply reduces the size of your available pool. The key is to only apply filters that are genuinely necessary for the shift. For routine cover, consider using no filters or just star rating and distance. For urgent shifts, minimise filters to maximise speed.
What happens if my filtered search returns very few locums?
Relax one filter at a time and recheck your results. For urgent shifts, remove the price filter first, then skills (if non-essential). If you are in an area with lower locum density, contact Airlocum support via live chat for assistance.
Can I use filters alongside my Favourites list?
Yes. The 'My Favourites First' option works alongside all standard filters. Your Favourites will receive the request first, and all filters (price, distance, skills) will still apply to the wider pool if the request auto-widens after 15 minutes.
Are the skills listed on locum profiles verified?
Yes. Airlocum verifies specialist skills before a locum can display them on their profile. GDC registration is also checked automatically in real time via the GDC public register.
Need help optimising your search? Our support team can help you set up the right filter strategy for your practice type and location. Contact us via live chat on the Airlocum website — ask to speak to a person for personalised guidance. |
Register for free at airlocum.co.uk. Support is available via live chat — ask to speak to a person at any time.
