On August 5th, 2024, the Health Resources and Services Administration released data revealing that dental professional shortage areas in the U.S. have increased from 6,820 earlier this year to 6,861. They estimate that 9,938 dental professionals are needed to fill these shortages. Additionally, Dental Post’s Salary Survey Report found that 34% of dental hygienists plan to retire within the next six years.
With this impending shortage, it is crucial for dental practices to understand what attracts and retains Gen Z employees entering the workforce.
What we know about Gen Z
Born between 1997 and 2012, Gen Z represents about 20% of the U.S. population as of 2023, according to the U.S. Census Bureau, and they will soon constitute the majority of the workforce. To effectively recruit this generation, it’s essential to understand how to reach them and what resonates with them. Below, we provide key information on Gen Z, that will help us attract and retain them to our dental job. Later in this article, we’ll explore how to use this knowledge to write a job post that will attract them to your practice.
- Gen Z or Zoomers, are the most culturally diverse generation to date.
- They span in age between 12 and 27.
- More than any generation, their first job comes after completing high school or college. (Annie E. Casey Foundation)
- They are the most educated generation. (eMarketer)
- They have the shortest attention span of any age group. Gen Z loses active attention for ads in just 1.3 seconds. (OMD Worldwide & Yahoo.)
- They grew up with technology and have a need for instant gratification.
- A study by ICSC and Big Village found that Gen Z’s top concerns include Mental Health (53%), Environment/Climate Change (47%), Race and Gender Equality (47%), and Ethical Labor Practices (42%).
- A report from Harmony Healthcare IT shows that 61% of Gen Z have a medically diagnosed anxiety condition.
- Gen Z grew up during the financial crisis of 2008, and many watched their parents be laid off, resulting in them feeling that jobs have no loyalty to their employees. Because of this, they have the least amount of loyalty to their employers than any of the previous generations. (Stanford News)
- They have more work opportunities available to them than all previous generations. They started working in the gig economy. If they aren’t happy with their job, there are many opportunities available to them, meaning they can pay their bills without having to work a traditional 9 to 5 job.
Crafting job postings that appeal to Gen Z
Gen Z gathers information from a variety of media sources, and it should be no surprise that streaming video has become the top way Gen Z (and all adults) find and collect information. While we may not have the resources to create video content every time we need to hire, we can design job postings that capture their attention similarly.
Keep in mind that Gen Z’s attention span is only about 1.3 seconds, so it’s crucial to get their attention quickly. Additionally, we should consider what Gen Z values, including:
- Authenticity
- Mental Health
- Environment/Climate Change
- Equality
- Contributing to the Greater Good
We can make some simple adjustments to our job postings to clearly communicate to Gen Z applicants that your dental practice is a great place to work.
Here are some suggested changes:
- Sick Days: Rename them as “Mental Health Days” to emphasize the importance of mental well-being.
- Non-Discrimination Policy: Include a statement that your office has a no-discrimination policy and welcomes applicants of all ages, genders and ethnicities.
- Environmental Efforts: Mention that your practice is committed to recycling and minimizing waste.
- Vision Statement: Highlight the doctor’s vision to “change the world one smile at a time.”
With all this info in mind, here is a…
Template designed to attract Gen Z Dental Assistants
Dental Assistant for a Fun and Friendly Dental Office in Redondo Beach, CA – $20-26 per hour + Check Out Our Benefits!
Our private practice is seeking a reliable and compassionate Dental Assistant in Redondo Beach, CA. We specialize in superior patient care and are dedicated to changing our patients’ lives by helping them achieve overall health and happiness with their smiles. Our team is the best in the business, and we focus on creating a positive work environment where everyone loves coming to work each day. We also strive to take care of our environment and community through waste reduction, recycling, and volunteering.
Schedule: Full-Time – Monday – Friday: 9 AM – 5 PM
We Care About the Overall Well-being of Our Team Members and Offer the Following Benefits:
- Competitive Pay: $20-26 per hour
- Mental Health Days
- Guilt-Free Paid Vacation – We all deserve a break!
- 401(k) to Secure Your Future
- Frequent Reviews to Ensure Your Continued Satisfaction with Your Position
- The Opportunity to Change the Lives and Smiles of Our Amazing Patients
- Work with a Warm and Welcoming Team
Duties for Our Dental Assistant (DA) Include:
- Welcoming patients to the dental office
- Preparing patients for treatments or checkups, ensuring their comfort
- Selecting and setting up instruments, equipment, and materials needed
- Sterilizing instruments according to regulations
- Assisting the dentist with 4-handed dentistry
Our office has a strict non-discrimination policy and welcomes applicants of all ages, ethnicities, and genders. We can’t wait to meet you—apply today!
This template does an excellent job of capturing their attention and encouraging them to keep reading (check out those benefits!). It effectively communicates how much we care about our patients, team, environment, and our contribution to the greater good, which will make those Zoomers want to apply!
Smiles,
Holli Perez
DirectDental
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