Dental staff shortage and the Great Resignation

The COVID-19 Pandemic has resulted in reduced working hours and increased unemployment in the dental industry, now exacerbated by the effects of the Great Resignation.

The world has been in a state of turmoil since the outbreak of COVID-19. As the pandemic continues to ravage communities, economies have been hit hard, and the dental industry is no exception. 

The International Labour Organization (ILO) has released a report that shines a light on the devastating impact the pandemic has had on the staffing shortage in the dental industry in the Asia-Pacific region. As the virus spread, working hours and jobs were wiped out, with underemployment surging and the Great Resignation among dental professionals becoming an increasingly common phenomenon.

The report estimates that the economic backlash of the pandemic wiped out 81 million jobs in 2020, with working hours in Asia and the Pacific decreasing by an estimated 15.2% in the second quarter and by 10.7% in the third quarter of 2020, relative to pre-crisis levels. This has led to an increase in the regional unemployment rate, which could be as high as 5.7% in 2020, compared to 4.4% in 2019.

It’s not only the numbers and statistics that tell the story of the pandemic’s impact on the dental industry. Behind these numbers are real people, real lives, and real struggles. The dental industry is an essential component of healthcare systems, and the staffing shortage poses a significant risk to the provision of essential dental services. 

With fewer dental practitioners and professionals available to work, the burden on those who are still employed will increase, and the quality of care may suffer. This could have a detrimental effect on public health, as people may delay or avoid seeking dental care due to the lack of available practitioners.

The report also highlights the disproportionate impact of the crisis on women and young people. The dental industry is no exception, with a significant number of women and young people working in the field. 

These groups are at risk of losing their jobs and facing reduced working hours, which could have a long-term impact on their career prospects and earning potential. It’s a harsh reminder that the pandemic’s effects will be felt for years to come, long after the virus is contained.

Covid-19 economic backlash far-reaching

The impact of the crisis has been far-reaching, with many people moving outside the labour force or into unemployment as job creation in the region collapsed. 

According to the report, “low levels of social security coverage and limited institutional capacity in many countries have made it difficult to help enterprises and workers back on their feet, a situation compounded when large numbers remain in the informal economy. These pre-crisis weaknesses have left far too many exposed to the pain of economic insecurity when the pandemic hit and inflicted its toll on working hours and jobs.”

Women and young people have been disproportionately affected by the crisis, with most countries in the region seeing a larger decline in working hours and employment for women than men. Additionally, women were more likely to move into inactivity than men, and the youth share in overall employment loss was 3 to 18 times higher than their share in total employment.

The report paints a dire picture of the economic fallout of the pandemic in the Asia-Pacific region, with a fall in median incomes and a sharp increase in working poverty levels. The numbers are staggering, with labour income estimated to have dropped by as much as 10% in the first three quarters of 2020, equivalent to a 3% loss in gross domestic product.

The situation is dire, with an additional 22-25 million persons falling into working poverty, pushing the total number of working poor in the Asia-Pacific region to between 94-98 million in 2020. 

The report also states that the overall size of the fiscal response in the region has been insufficient, especially in the region’s developing economies. With the current staffing shortage, it is crucial that governments in the Asia-Pacific region take action to support workers and enterprises to help them recover from the pandemic and rebuild the economy.

How does the staffing shortage affect the dental industry?

With a significant decrease in working hours and a rise in unemployment, dental practitioners and professionals are facing a difficult and uncertain future. The report by the ILO highlights the devastating impact of the pandemic on the dental industry, which is a microcosm of the broader economic and social challenges facing the Asia-Pacific region.

The dental industry is a vital component of healthcare systems, and the staffing shortage poses a significant risk to the provision of essential dental services.

This could have a detrimental effect on public health, as people may delay or avoid seeking dental care due to the lack of available practitioners.

With fewer dental practitioners and professionals available to work, the burden on those who are still employed will increase, and the quality of care may suffer.

The staffing shortage in the dental industry is also likely to have a significant impact on the overall economy. With fewer people working in the industry, there will be less money circulating, and this could lead to a decline in economic growth. Furthermore, the rise in working poverty levels could have a negative impact on consumer spending, further exacerbating the economic downturn.

To address the staffing shortage in the dental industry, governments in the Asia-Pacific region must take action to support workers and enterprises. This could include providing financial assistance to businesses, offering training and retraining programs, and implementing policies that encourage the hiring of dental practitioners and professionals. Additionally, governments should take steps to improve social security coverage and increase institutional capacity to support workers and enterprises during times of crisis.

Over half of Japanese dental practices lack successors

The COVID-19 pandemic has had a profound impact on the dental industry, and the staffing shortage is a major concern that must be addressed. With the right policies and actions, governments in the Asia-Pacific region can help to mitigate the impact of the crisis and support the recovery of the dental industry.

In addition to government actions, dental professionals and practitioners themselves must also take steps to alleviate the impact of the staffing shortage. This could include diversifying their skills and services to adapt to the changing market, and exploring new opportunities for growth. Furthermore, dental professionals should also consider ways to improve their employability, such as by developing new skills and knowledge, and seeking out new training and education opportunities.

One way for dental professionals to adapt to the current market conditions is to offer virtual and digital consultations, which can help to reduce the spread of the virus and increase access to care for patients. This can also help practitioners to reach a wider patient base, which can help to mitigate the impact of the staffing shortage.

Another way to is to collaborate with other dental professionals, such as by sharing resources and expertise. This can help to reduce costs and increase efficiency, while also providing patients with a wider range of services. Furthermore, dental professionals should also explore ways to increase their visibility and reach in the community, such as by leveraging social media and online platforms to promote their services and build their reputation.

The staffing shortage crisis in the dental industry and the Great Resignation are closely related and have a symbiotic relationship.

The Great Resignation aggravates the situation

The Great Resignation is a term used to describe the recent trend of employees quitting their jobs at an unprecedented rate. 

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, a record-breaking four million Americans quit their jobs in July 2021. The trend of resignations peaked in April and remained higher than normal throughout the rest of the year, with a record-breaking 10.9 million open jobs at the end of July and an astounding 4.5 million letters of resignation handed in across the U.S. in November alone.

The staffing shortage crisis, caused by the economic backlash of the COVID-19 pandemic, has led to a significant decrease in working hours and a rise in unemployment, making it difficult for dental practices to retain their employees. 

On the other hand, the Great Resignation is fuelled by various factors such as lack of flexibility, poor compensation, feeling underutilized or unappreciated, and no work-life balance. 

Therefore, the staffing shortage crisis and the Great Resignation are closely related, with one exacerbating the other. As the staffing shortage crisis makes it difficult for dental practices to retain their employees, the Great Resignation makes it even harder for practices to recruit new employees and fill the vacancies caused by the staffing shortage crisis.

Not as contradictory as it appears

At first glance, the idea of Covid-19-caused job losses and the Great Resignation may seem contradictory, as one suggests a decrease in employment opportunities while the other suggests an increase in voluntary turnover. However, upon closer examination, it is clear that these two ideas are not mutually exclusive and can actually coexist. 

The Covid-19 pandemic has had a devastating impact on the economy, leading to job losses and reduced working hours for many individuals. However, these job losses and reduced working hours have also led to increased stress and dissatisfaction among employees, making them more likely to seek out new employment opportunities or resign from their current positions. 

Additionally, the pandemic has also highlighted existing issues within many workplaces, such as lack of flexibility and poor compensation, which may have contributed to the Great Resignation. Thus, while the Covid-19 pandemic has led to job losses, it has also created a situation in which many employees are more likely to leave their current positions, leading to the Great Resignation.

The Great Resignation has had a significant impact on the dental industry, with high levels of turnover among dental practitioners and professionals. The Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) reports that the highest instances of resignations occurred in the hospitality, healthcare, and logistics industries, and the impact has been felt globally across industries.

How should dental practice owners react to the Great Resignation? 

Dental practice owners may be predisposed to view the Great Resignation as a problem caused by employees not being able to hack it or meet the demands of their job. However, it is important for them to analyse their own circumstances and consider the reasons why employees may be choosing to leave their jobs.

By recognizing these issues and taking steps to address them, practice owners can work to improve their retention rates and circumvent the crisis.

To combat voluntary turnover and support higher retention rates, businesses can offer more flexibility in schedules, provide fair compensation, and show appreciation and value for their employees. They can also focus on creating a positive work-life balance, provide support during difficult times, and address any issues with toxic or ineffective management.

Additionally, dental practices can focus on employee engagement and development to prevent voluntary turnover. This can include providing opportunities for professional development, offering promotions and advancement opportunities, and creating a positive work environment where employees feel valued and respected.

Another way to improve retention rates is to offer benefits and perks that employees find attractive, such as health insurance, retirement plans, and paid time off. These benefits can make a significant difference in an employee’s decision to stay or leave a job.

Cultivate a positive workplace culture 

The post-pandemic era has brought with it an unprecedented level of uncertainty and change. The dental industry, like many others, has been hit hard by the economic fallout of the pandemic. 

As the world slowly begins to recover, it’s more important than ever for dental practices to create a positive workplace culture. A culture that fosters open communication, transparency, and a sense of belonging is crucial for employees to feel heard and valued, especially in such challenging times.

It’s a culture that encourages employees to speak up, to share their ideas, and to offer feedback. It’s a culture that promotes trust and respect, where employees feel confident that their contributions are valued and that their voices will be heard. When employees feel heard and valued, they are more likely to be engaged and motivated to stay with the company. A positive culture is not only good for employees, but it’s good for business too.

This can include regular one-on-one meetings with employees, conducting regular employee surveys and feedback, and creating an open-door policy for employees to voice their concerns and ideas. 

Above all, dental practices should be laser-focussed on creating a culture of open communication and transparency.

It is also important to note that staffing shortage trends including the Great Resignation is not only affecting the dental industry but also other sectors. Therefore, dental practices should be aware of the competitive landscape when it comes to retaining employees. They should be aware of the trends and benefits that other employers are offering and make sure to stay competitive in order to attract and retain top talent.

Summary

The staffing shortage in the dental industry is a major concern in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. With a significant decrease in working hours and a rise in unemployment, dental practitioners and professionals are facing a difficult and uncertain future. 

However, with the right policies and actions, governments in the Asia-Pacific region can help to mitigate the impact of the crisis and support the recovery of the dental industry. Additionally, dental professionals should also take steps to adapt to the changing market conditions and explore new opportunities for growth.

Similarly, the Great Resignation is a significant challenge for the dental industry and is caused by a variety of factors, such as lack of flexibility, poor compensation, feeling underutilized or unappreciated, no work-life balance, personal concerns, and toxic or ineffective management. 

Dental practices can combat voluntary turnover by offering more flexibility, fair compensation, and appreciation, creating a positive work-life balance, providing support during difficult times, addressing any issues with toxic or ineffective management, focusing on employee engagement and development, offering attractive benefits and perks, creating a culture of open communication and transparency and being aware of the impact of the pandemic on employees. 

By taking steps to address the reasons behind the Great Resignation, dental practices can work to improve their retention rates and ensure the long-term success of their business.