Group: Allow dentists to administer vaccines

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  • Group: Allow dentists to administer vaccines
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BOSTON – As states move to finalize their COVID-19 vaccination distribution plans, the DentaQuest Partnership for Oral Health Advancement is urging them to allow dentists and dental hygienists to administer the approved vaccine to patients.

The DentaQuest Partnership is a nonprofit organization that promotes better health through oral health. The organization is affiliated with the oral health company DentaQuest.

The federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices recently recommended that health care workers — including dentists, dental hygienists and dental assistants — be the first to receive vaccinations once the vaccines are approved by the Federal Drug Administration, DentaQuest said in a press release. Once vaccinated, dental professionals can be an important distribution channel for the general public when vaccines become widely available.

Dental providers have administered vaccines during significant flu outbreaks and other health emergencies. Already, states like Illinois and Minnesota allow dentists to administer flu vaccines.

Oregon passed a law in 2019 permitting dentists to administer vaccines more broadly, and the Arkansas State Board of Dental Examiners approved a change in November to al- low dentists to administer COVID-19 vaccines.

On Friday, states are set to provide updated COVID-19 vaccine distribution plans to the CDC. The DentaQuest Partnership is urging all states to include dental providers in these plans.

Dental providers can play a key role in administering the vaccines, said Dr. Myechia Minter-Jordan, president and CEO of DentaQuest and Catalyst Institute. Catalyst is the holding company for DentaQuest.

“Dental professionals are essential members of our health care community, and they have the training, knowledge and capability to ad- minister vaccinations safely to patients. We urge states to include oral health providers as part of their vaccine distribution plans to ensure people are able to receive the vaccine as quickly and safely as possible,” Minter-Jordan said.