Author's note: Lisa and Madison manage a patient base in a general dental practice in the Niagara region of Southern Ontario. As a Gen Z and millennial team, they bring innovative and creative approaches to strengthen connections between patients and dental teams.
An era is a period with a delineating feature or characteristic. The term has recently been popularized by Taylor Swift, as the queen of the Eras Tour attributed her growth as an artist to her past and generational interactions. This mindset can be applied to the new era of dental hygiene.
Dental hygienists interact with people from several different generations: the Silent Generation (1928-1945), baby boomers (1946-1964), Generation X (1965-1980), millennials (1981-1996), Generation Z (1997-2012), and Generation Alpha (2013-2024).1 Each group has distinct attributes that can empower dental hygiene care and workplaces.
“Every one of us has messed up too. Minds change like the weather. I hope you remember today is never too late to be brand new.”2 This Taylor Swift lyric personifies how to adapt in the face of change and how to embrace lessons from the past and future.
While generations are a social construct and dental hygiene is the combination of scientific knowledge and practical skills, neither are an exact science. Yet, the established principles and variations of both encompass an understanding that can lead to a degree of evolution and stronger clinical judgment.
Lessons from generations with clinical impact
Prioritizing generational traits can create metrics for improved clinical outcomes. Dental hygienists are provided with many opportunities to engage with several generations, which when applied empathetically can create stronger clinical outcomes. Table 1 summarizes key generational characteristics and ideations for care impacts.
Knowing the difference between generations extends further than just patient engagement: it’s a guiding mission toward compassionate care. Dental hygienists can easily embrace the preferences of each generation. In doing so, we can break through a multitude of barriers that impact dentistry.
We care for people first and treat oral health conditions second. We must remember that each person has their own generational background that shapes their approach to oral health and oral health literacy. Understanding this and displaying generational respect can establish the most effective patient experiences.
Lessons from generations can improve dental work environments
Beyond clinical improvements, understanding the unique strengths of each generation can improve dental hygiene work environments. Among the current dental hygiene workforce, 5% are baby boomers, 20% are Generation X, 35% are millennials, and 40% are Generation Z.4 Despite generational constructs, all dental hygienists at their core are hardworking and dedicated. Due to the dynamic mix of generational cohorts in the current workforce, teams may feel challenged if they do not capitalize on the strengths and tendencies of each generational cohort (table 2).
Gen Z and millennial hygienists are less likely to receive respect and recognition from older generations of clients and colleagues. Many of these perceptions stem from untapped integration of generational differences in work style and communication.
As Taylor Swift sang in “How Did It End?” “We learned the right steps to different dances.”5 This beautifully says that no generation is wrong; we’re simply not on the same page in our careers.
To apply the strengths of each generation we must know them, and only then can we integrate the best characteristics in ourselves. Embracing generational differences will translate into high-functioning dental hygiene teams, as well as teams with a stronger sense of ethics, values, workplace norms, and professional identities.
Dental hygiene isn’t just about teeth—it’s a legacy of health care and connection. As we move forward, we continue to learn from the past, adapt to the present, and inspire a future where every generation smiles a little brighter.
Editor's note: This article appeared in the November/December 2025 print edition of RDH magazine. Dental hygienists in North America are eligible for a complimentary print subscription. Sign up here.
References
- Eldridge A. Experience the American generations: which generation are you? Encyclopedia Britannica. May 28, 2025. https://www.britannica.com/topic/Experience-the-American-Generations-Which-Generation-Are-You-2226598
- Swift T. Innocent. Republic Records. 2023. https://www.republicrecords.com/
- Aziz F. Compassionate care through the lens of generational understanding. Wisc Med J. 2024;123(2):68-69.
- Lanthier T. Off the cusp: dental industry news, trends, and information from Patterson Dental: managing four generations in the workplace. Patterson Dental. November 1, 2019. https://www.offthecusp.com/managing-four-generations-in-the-workplace/
- Swift T. How did it end? Republic Records. 2024.
