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Today’s millennial dentists have many of the same desires as their older counterparts – family time, good job, friends. But their emphases are different.
“[Millennials] saw their parents sacrifice, many working two jobs,” says Sheri Doniger, DDS, Lincolnwood, Ill. “Whereas the over-45 or over-50 crowd may have made work the center of their lives, the under-30 believes the opposite. They would like to spend time at home with their families.” In addition to her practice, Doniger is an educator and consultant, and is currently president of the American Association of Women Dentists and editor of the association’s newsletter.
Millennial dentists seek the same schedule or time off that more mature practitioners have earned through years of work and cultivating patient relationships, but they don’t want to wait until they are in their 50s to get it, she says. “I may be able to take some time off to see my daughter’s play or soccer game; they expect the same privilege.”
Today’s young dentists are highly competitive, and they don’t like to fail, says Doniger. New tasks that require independence may challenge them. “Coming from parents who constantly praised them, had high expectations, allowed flexible supervision and over-programmed their time, they are not used to failing,” she says. And though they may have been punished rarely as kids and teenagers, they enjoy constructive criticism and peer feedback. “They prefer not to be micromanaged, though.”
Millennial dentists enjoy relationship-building and reinforcement. “They are a very collaborative group,” says Doniger. “But their preference in communication is definitely electronic. Webinars available 24/7, communication via video and electronic messages in short bursts of information are helpful.
“The urban legend may be that millennials do not lead,” she says. “However, they are leadable. They will have to learn how to deal with the plethora of management issues in a dental office and become strong leaders. Mentorship from senior practitioners will be important in developing these characteristics.”
Under-30 dentists are very mobile-centric, says Doniger. “Their smartphones are always on, so connecting may be easier. Connections via a mobile introduction or text message may work well.
“They prefer not to work after five, so scheduling may be an issue,” she says. “Any interaction may be used as a mentoring moment, with potential management tidbits.”
