How to Pay for a Dental Locum Booking on Airlocum
By Eugene Bojé, Founder of Airlocum
⚡ At a glance ✔ Two payment options: debit/credit card or invoicing ✔ You are never charged upfront — payment is only taken after the shift is completed and you approve the locum's timesheet ✔ Card payments are processed securely via Stripe ✔ Invoicing is available instantly — click 'Activate invoicing' in your account settings |
Airlocum is designed so that dental practices only ever pay for verified, completed work. There are no upfront charges, no subscription fees, and no payment is processed until you have confirmed that the shift was completed to your satisfaction.
Your Two Payment Options
💳 Card Payment | 🧾 Invoicing | |
When charged | After shift completion and timesheet approval | After shift completion and timesheet approval |
Payment trigger | Automatic — card charged after 24-hour approval window | Invoice issued; payment made to Airlocum bank account |
Setup required | Add a debit or credit card to your account | Click 'Activate invoicing' in your account settings |
Best for | Independent practices, fast and fully automated | Corporate groups, multi-site groups, or practices with separate finance teams |
Locum paid within | 5 days of timesheet approval | 18 days of timesheet approval |
Security | Stripe — same processor used by Apple, Google, Amazon, and Spotify | Bank transfer to Airlocum's designated account |
Paying by Card
Card payment is the recommended method for most practices. It is fully automated - once you approve the locum's timesheet, your card is charged without any further action needed from you.
How card payment works — step by step
Stage | What happens | |
1 | Shift completed | The locum completes their shift and submits their timesheet through the Airlocum app. |
2 | 24-hour review window | You receive a notification to review the timesheet. You have 24 hours to approve it or raise a dispute if there are any discrepancies. |
3 | Approval or auto-process | If you approve: payment is processed immediately. If no action is taken within 24 hours: payment is processed automatically. If you dispute: the Airlocum team is notified to assist. |
4 | Card charged | Your saved debit or credit card is charged for the shift total — hourly rate + Airlocum service fee + VAT. No further action is needed. |
5 | Locum paid | The locum receives their payment within 5 days of timesheet approval directly to their bank account via Stripe. |
🔒 Security: powered by Stripe All card payments on Airlocum are processed by Stripe — one of the world's most trusted payment platforms. Stripe is used by Apple, Google, Amazon, and Spotify. Your card details are encrypted, never stored on Airlocum's servers, and protected to PCI DSS Level 1 standards. You can add, update, or remove your payment card at any time from your account settings. |
How to add a payment card
1. Log in to your Airlocum practice account. 2. Go to Account Settings and select Payment Methods. 3. Click Add Card and enter your debit or credit card details. 4. Your card is saved securely via Stripe and used for all future bookings. |
Paying by Invoice
Invoicing is available to all practices and is particularly suitable for corporate dental groups, multi-site organisations, and practices with dedicated finance teams that require a more formal billing process.
How invoicing works
Activate invoicing instantly by clicking 'Activate invoicing' in your account settings. No approval process or waiting period is required.
After each completed and approved shift, Airlocum issues an invoice to your practice.
Payment is made by bank transfer to Airlocum's designated account, as detailed on the invoice.
Locums are paid within 18 days of timesheet approval when invoicing is used.
For full terms, see: Airlocum - Pay by Invoice Policy and Pay by Invoice Terms & Conditions.
💡 Invoice vs card — which is right for your practice? Card payment is recommended for most independent practices. It is automated, instant, and means you never have to manage bank transfers or invoice tracking. Invoicing is better suited to practices with a separate finance function, or where payment must be routed through a purchase order process. Both methods offer the same core protection: you only pay after the shift is completed and you approve the timesheet. |
Understanding the Timesheet Approval Process
The timesheet is the trigger for payment on Airlocum. Understanding how it works protects both your practice and the locum.
Locum submits: After the shift ends, the locum submits their timesheet through the Airlocum app, recording the hours worked.
You review (24 hours): You receive a notification with the timesheet details. Review the hours and approve if correct.
You can dispute: If the hours are incorrect or the shift was not completed as expected, raise a dispute within the 24-hour window. The Airlocum support team will assist in resolving it.
Auto-approval: If no action is taken within 24 hours, the timesheet is automatically approved and payment is processed. This prevents locums from being kept waiting for payment unnecessarily.
⚠️ Important: the 24-hour window If you have any concerns about a shift — hours worked, conduct, or any other issue — raise a dispute within 24 hours of receiving the timesheet. After 24 hours, the timesheet auto-approves and payment is processed. Disputes cannot be raised after payment has been processed. For any issues, contact the Airlocum support team via live chat immediately. |
What Does the Total Charge Include?
The amount shown at checkout and charged to your card or invoiced breaks down as follows:
Component | Detail |
Locum's hourly rate | Set by the locum. Visible on their profile before you book. |
Airlocum service fee | Approximately £25 per day — compared with £30–60 charged by traditional dental staffing agencies. Shown transparently at checkout. |
VAT | Applied at the standard rate to the Airlocum service fee. The total cost including VAT is shown at checkout before you send the booking request. |
There are no hidden fees, no registration charges, and no subscription costs. You only pay when a shift is completed and approved.
Frequently Asked Questions
When am I charged for a dental locum booking on Airlocum?
You are never charged upfront. Payment is only processed after the shift is completed and you approve the locum's timesheet. If you take no action within 24 hours of receiving the timesheet, payment is automatically processed. You can dispute the timesheet within that 24-hour window if needed.
What payment methods does Airlocum accept?
Airlocum accepts debit and credit card payments, processed securely via Stripe. Invoicing is also available for practices that prefer bank transfer payments. Both options are available from your account settings.
Is Airlocum's payment system secure?
Yes. Card payments are processed by Stripe, which is certified to PCI DSS Level 1 — the highest standard of payment security. Stripe is used by Apple, Google, Amazon, and Spotify. Your card details are encrypted and never stored on Airlocum's servers.
How do I activate invoicing on Airlocum?
Go to your account settings and click 'Activate invoicing'. It is available instantly — there is no waiting period or approval process required. Once activated, invoices are issued after each completed and approved shift.
What happens if I don't approve the timesheet within 24 hours?
If no action is taken within 24 hours of receiving the timesheet, it is automatically approved and payment is processed. This ensures locums are not kept waiting for payment. If you have any concerns about a shift, raise a dispute within the 24-hour window.
What does the total charge include?
The total includes the locum's hourly rate (multiplied by hours worked), the Airlocum service fee (approximately £25 per day), and VAT on the service fee. The full amount is shown transparently at checkout before you send the booking request — there are no hidden fees.
How quickly is the locum paid after I approve the timesheet?
Locums are paid within 8 days of timesheet approval when the practice pays by card, and within 18 days when the practice pays by invoice. Payment goes directly to the locum's bank account via Stripe.
Can I dispute a timesheet?
Yes. You have 24 hours from receiving the timesheet to raise a dispute. Contact the Airlocum support team via live chat as soon as possible. After 24 hours, the timesheet auto-approves and payment cannot be reversed.
Need help with a payment? Contact the Airlocum support team via live chat — ask to speak to a person for fastest assistance. Email: [email protected] | Phone: 07716 580305 |
Register for free at airlocum.co.uk. Support is available via live chat — ask to speak to a person at any time.
