March 9, 2026
Locum Dentists
Book Verified Cover Fast
Find a Locum
Average Fill time for Locum Dentists
5 Minutes
Based on the last 30 days of confirmed bookings.
Airlocum is a UK dental locum platform that connects 1,900+ dental practices with 1,100+ GDC-verified locum professionals, filling 60% of shifts in under 5 minutes without agency fees.
Your Associate Just Resigned. You've Got Three Weeks to Find Cover.
A departing associate means a diary full of patients and UDA targets with no one to see them. Airlocum gets verified dentists booked fast — whether you need a single day or ongoing cover. No agency. No phone calls. No guesswork.
4.9/5 Google (90 reviews)
93% rebook rate
40,000+ shifts completed
60% filled in <5 min
How It Works
3 Steps, Under 5 Minutes
Most practices go from posting a shift to confirmed booking in under 5 minutes.
Step One
Post Your Shift
Select locum role, date, click 'Book a locum'. Takes under 60 seconds.
Step Two
Get Matched Instantly
Quick Book AI contacts available professionals in fast waves. See full profiles, ratings, and fees before you post a shift.
Step Three
Confirm and Relax
Get matched, get confirmation. Pay by card or invoice. No chasing, no admin.
No phone calls to an agency. No waiting on hold. No wondering who’s going to turn up.
Why 1,900+ UK Dental Practices Choose Airlocum
Every locum is GDC-verified
Every locum on Airlocum is GDC-checked every 28 days, holds indemnity insurance, has Hepatitis B vaccination proof, and carries detailed ratings. You see everything upfront.
93% of practices rebook - the highest retention in UK dental staffing
Locums live or die by their ratings. One bad review tanks future bookings. This incentive structure means every locum is motivated to show up on time and deliver value.
80% planned in advance bookings. We're built for this.
Bookings are handled flexibly — both same-day emergencies and planned cover.
Transparent, all-inclusive pricing
No hidden fees. You see the locum's fee upfront. No markups or surcharges.
Dental Locum Agency vs Airlocum
Side-by-Side Comparison
If you're weighing up a dental staffing agency against Airlocum, here's the honest comparison:
| Dental Staffing Agency | Airlocum | |
|---|---|---|
| Feature | Dental Staffing Agency | Airlocum |
| Service Fee | £60–80/booking | 10% of locum hourly rate |
| Fill Speed | 30–60 min only | Under 5 min, 24/7 |
| GDC Compliance | Manual/periodic | Automated every 28 days |
| Transparency | When they arrive | Full profiles, ratings upfront |
| Payment | Manual invoices | Card auto-pay or invoice |
| Rebook Rate | Unknown | 93% |
Practices switching from agencies to Airlocum save an average of 20%+ on locum staffing costs. For dentists, the hourly rate is the only charge — there is no percentage of UDA value and no share of private fee income.
When to Book a Locum Dentist
Same-day sickness cover • Maternity and paternity leave • Holiday cover • Scaling up for busy periods • Emergency cover • Transition cover
Clinical Profiles and Experience
Many locum dentists hold specialist skills including clinical backgrounds and case mix compatibility. Profiles show each professional's experience and qualifications so you can find the right match.
Locum Dentist Rates and Pricing in 2026
Locum dentists typically cost £67–£120/hr all-inclusive. Rates vary by location, experience, and specialist skills.
For dentists, the hourly rate shown is the only rate you pay. There is no percentage of UDA value and no share of private fee income — what you see is the complete cost, full stop.
There are no mileage charges.
No joining fees, no subscription fees, and no charges until the shift is completed.
What Practice Managers Say
Frequently Asked Questions — Locum Dentist
80% of dentist bookings are planned in advance for maternity cover, holidays, or associate leave.
No. Locum dentists have no mileage charges — their quoted rate is all-inclusive.
Yes. Many practices book the same locum dentist week after week for months-long maternity cover.
Every dentist is GDC-verified every 28 days, holds professional indemnity insurance, and carries detailed ratings.
Trusted by 1,900+ UK Dental Practices
Airlocum is a UK dental locum platform that connects 1,900+ dental practices with 1,100+ GDC-verified locum professionals, filling 86% of shifts in under 5 minutes without agency fees. Over 40,000 shifts completed since launch. 93% of practices come back month after month.
Ready to Get Started?
Airlocum makes it easy. Post your shift, get instant matches, and book a verified locum dentist in under 3 minutes. Register free and post your first shift today.
Free registration. No contracts. Post your first shift in under 3 minutes.
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