The hip thrust can be used as a main lift to build strength and a great posterior chain, but also as an assistance exercise to finish up an already taxing lower-body workout.
Since using a dumbbell limits the amount of weight used, focus on maintaining a slower tempo and do more volume. I cue athletes to push the dumbbell toward their knees on the way down to ensure a full range of motion.
As a young man in the iron game, Mike was surrounded by people who drank the pro-bodybuilder Kool-Aid. He never squatted ('cause it hurts your knees) and never deadlifted. Now he knows better.