Webinar Course Description:

If you’ve noticed newer team members needing more direction, struggling with feedback, or hesitating to take initiative, you’re not alone. Many dental teams are seeing the same patterns, and these shifts can affect everything from patient flow to team morale.
This presentation breaks down what’s driving those shifts, drawing on insights from social psychologist Jonathan Haidt. In his 2024 book, The Anxious Generation, he notes that this generation grew up on smartphones, social media, and overprotective parenting, leading to a new norm that differs from that of my generation and maybe yours.
I’ll focus on ideas that may work in your busy practice. We’ll talk through simple ways to build confidence, improve communication, and help team members step into their roles more independently—without adding extra stress to your day.
You’ll gain practical tools you can apply right away in the operatory.

Upon completion of this course, participants should be able to:

Describe how social and digital influences shape the behavior and performance of Gen Z team members in a clinical setting.

• Provider outcome: Increased awareness of generational differences affecting workplace performance. 
• Patient outcome: Improved team coordination supporting more efficient and consistent patient care. 

Recognize behavioral and cognitive trends influencing engagement and performance in clinical and team settings.

• Provider outcome: Enhanced ability to anticipate and manage workflow challenges. 
• Patient outcome: Reduced disruptions in care and improved patient experience. 

Identify evidence-based strategies that cultivate confidence, autonomy, and emotional resilience.

• • Provider outcome: Stronger team performance and reduced reliance on supervision. 
  • Patient outcome: More efficient care delivery and improved continuity of care. 

Discuss mentorship and teaching models that enhance professionalism and competence in both academic and private practice settings.

• • Provider outcome: Improved leadership and staff development skills. 
  • Patient outcome: Higher quality, more consistent patient care supported by a well-trained team.

Speaker Bio: Tarianne Wachtel, DMD, FACD

Dr. Wachtel graduated from the University of Pennsylvania School of Dental Medicine in 1996 and completed a two-year General Practice Residency at the VA Medical Center in Manchester, New Hampshire. 

After 21 years in clinical practice, she joined the faculty at Midwestern University Arizona in 2017, where she currently serves as an Assistant Professor at the College of Dental Medicine. In addition to her academic role, she helps manage her husband’s multi-location orthodontic practice in Scottsdale, Arizona. 

As a mother of four Gen Z children, Dr. Wachtel brings a unique personal and professional perspective to the evolving dynamics of the modern dental team. She is a frequent presenter on intergenerational communication and is dedicated to fostering lifelong learning and excellence in dental care.