Age and Participation at PDA Events
Age and Participation at PDA Events
530 525 520 515 510 505
526
527
53
50
2003 2013 2023
57
515
58 56 54 52 50 48 46
Number of Participants Average Age
In an era where one of the hallmarks of our profession, collegialism, seems to be replaced by competition, as the dental profession becomes increasingly controlled by the business community in the form of franchises, corporate entities and insurance companies, the question arises,“ what are we to do to keep our profession intact?”
Professionalism and ethical behavior are often cornerstones of learning in higher education. However, attitudes and values appear to be shifting among younger generations of professionals. Recent data published in the Journal of Dental Education indicate that younger dentists reported a lack of authority and autonomy related to their professional practice, while also reporting a higher degree of commitment towards social issues and health equity( Smith, Stilianoudakis, & Carrico, 2022). These findings were in comparison to data from a similar sample of dental students from the early 1990s. Professional societies will need to continue to shift their missions to reflect the interests and values of younger professionals to maintain membership enrollment and relevancy.
A recent survey conducted by Wiley Publishing Company found that younger generations had mixed feelings about professional societies and membership.
Young professionals who belong to Generation Z( birth years 1997-2012) and Millennials( birth years 1981-1996) were included in the survey. Among Gen Z, 90 % believed professional societies would advance their career, yet only 31 % felt positively about professional associations and 9 % were members. Similarly, 88 % of Millennials thought societies could benefit them professionally, but only 39 % felt positively and 13 % reported being members. We will soon see if these trends continue or reverse in the coming years, as Generation Alpha( born 2010 and later) enters the workforce.
These data highlight a significant gap that must be better understood and addressed. A more engaged workforce will benefit professional organizations by strengthening membership and adding diversity of thought. At the same time, individuals stand to benefit from the many resources and collaboration that can be gained through professional membership. Most importantly, patient care will benefit from more robust professional organizations, as these groups aim to advance knowledge, practice and policy to improve health. A potential key to unlocking this potential is for professional organizations to appeal to the needs of young members, which include active efforts to improve healthcare access and reduce health inequities.
MARCH / APRIL 2025 | PENNSYLVANIA DENTAL JOURNAL 11