Although you may have heard a lot about Millennials, we've already moved on to the next generation, sometimes known as Generation Z. Anyone born between 1995 and the early 2010s is eligible, and the oldest members are turning 26 this year.
The Covid-19 pandemic has drawn a lot of attention to the area of dentistry since oral health and dental problems are still prevalent in the population, and with limited access to government facilities, individuals in agony sought treatment in the private sector.
According to research, the COVID-19 epidemic is the Generational Defining Moment for Gen Z, particularly as they enter adulthood. COVID-19 has had an impact on nearly every element of their life. It will have an impact on how Generation Z spends money, learns, and works.
Gen Z has strong opinions and strong morals, making them difficult to advertise to and much more difficult to acquire allegiance from.
How do we translate what we know about Generation Z into useful knowledge for everyday usage in order to attract staff and patients? To ensure future practise development, create a dental office that speaks their language and meets their expectations now.
THE IMPACT OF COVID-19 ON GEN Z
SPENDING
Because of their conservative Gen X parents and growing up during the Great Recession of 2008, Gen Z is already more thrifty than Gen Y.
Gen Z is hyper-aware of their dental health, with pain, mostly with biting and chewing, being the most common oral health issue this age reports.
Gen Z will not incur risks that they may not be able to afford to address later in life, making them more open to the most recent research and treatment alternatives for maintaining dental health.
EMPLOYMENT
- Prior to COVID-19, Generation Z was already saving for retirement.
- Job benefits are motivators.
- Employers must know that Generation Z is accustomed to fast gratification and is motivated by efficiency.
- Provide tools that promote ease and simplicity, as well as jobs that are straightforward and do not rely on lengthy processes.
- Regardless of their technological knowledge, Generation Z craves human engagement, openness, and collaboration.
- Provide opportunities for skill development and learning.
While Gen Z has not yet reached critical mass as patients or employees, they are already pushing changes that the rest of us are feeling. Understanding who they are and what they want NOW provides us with insight into what we can expect for the future of our dental offices.
To be successful in attracting new employees and patients, you must be flexible and adaptable in order to keep up with and meet the expectations and needs of this generation. If it isn't instant, it isn't for Generation Z!
The epidemic provides a key chance for any leader to understand and respect how Generation Z is experiencing these difficult times through their own generational lens.
Manipal University College Malaysia (MUCM), which offers a 5-year Bachelor of Dentistry (BDS) programme, has seen this firsthand with her three polyclinics, which have a capacity of more than 150 dental chairs.
Professor Dr Abdul Rashid Haji Ismail, Dean of the Faculty of Dentistry, observes that whereas other services have been compelled to close their doors, dental clinics have continued to operate under tight protocol and standard operating procedures.
"Despite the lockout, we were receiving calls on a daily basis from individuals demanding emergency treatment to relieve pain and cater to their requirements!" "There is a high need for dental-related services," he stated.
Dentistry's future for this generation
Dentistry is frequently regarded as the profession to pursue if one aspires to be of service to others while maintaining a work-life balance. It is, however, a job that necessitates a creative mentality in addition to a moral heart and an aesthetic vision.
The current generation of future dental surgeons, known as Gen Z, is growing up in an era of cyber technology and developing media. This has had an impact on the healthcare system as well as dental services.
This generation's youth are needed to innovate and steer future dental services toward the Internet of Things (IoT) or the Internet of Robotic Things.
The MUCM BDS