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References

Twenge JM iGen: Why Today's Super-Connected Kids are Growing Up Less Rebellious, more Tolerant, Less Happy—and Completely Unprepared for Adulthood.New York: Atria Books; 2017
‘Poor little snowflake’ – the defining insult of 2016. https://www.theguardian.com/science/2016/nov/28/snowflake-insult-disdain-young-people (accessed January 2023)
Midgley C, Thai S, Lockwood P When every day is a high school reunion: Social media comparisons and self-esteem. J Pers Soc Psychol. 2021; 121:285-307 https://doi.org/10.1037/pspi0000336
Booth AJ, Hurry KJ, Abela S The current dental school applicant: an overview of the admission process for UK dental schools and the sociodemographic status of applicants. Br Dent J. 2022; 232:172-176 https://doi.org/10.1038/s41415-022-3927-1
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Luebbe AM, Mancini KJ, Kiel EJ Dimensionality of helicopter parenting and relations to emotional, decision-making, and academic functioning in emerging adults. Assessment. 2018; 25:841-857 https://doi.org/10.1177/1073191116665907
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The emergence of the IGen dentist and the implications for the workforce

From Volume 50, Issue 2, February 2023 | Pages 77-81

Authors

Nick Cooper

BDS, DGDP(UK), MGDSRCS Eng, FFGDP UK, PGCTL, PGCAC, GDP

Articles by Nick Cooper

Article

A new generation arose around 1996 and is referred to as an ‘iGen’, or Z generation. This refers to a person born between 1995 and 2012. For the past 5 years, IGen have been completing their undergraduate dental training, and are emerging through Dental Foundation Training, Dental Core Training and progressing into general practice. In this review, I outline the attributes of the IGen that could impact on the delivery of general dental services in the UK and, in the process, raise further areas for research.

The GDC published its report on the preparedness of UK graduates for practice in 2020.1 In it, they highlighted various potential problems that new graduates face on graduation:

The GDC also recognized that societal changes will have influenced how this generation of dental graduates has been raised, and how this may impact preparedness for practice.

IGens have many traits, many of which align with the GDC's findings above. They also possess many positive traits that need to be developed. They want stability, are conscientious, and a potential to earn a high income. Unlike the Millennials before, they have a realistic view of their abilities and are prepared to put the time in to work their way up a career pathway. Finally, they have a refreshing, and automatic respect for others.2

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