Covid-19 Vaccine as a Dentist

COVID-19 Vaccine distribution and advocacy updates for Dentists

Current list of U.S. States which have approved Dentists administering Covid-19 Vaccinations

State of California Dentists approved to administer covid-19 vaccinations
Governor Gavin Newsom announced that dentists are now authorized to administer the COVID-19 vaccine once distribution becomes more widely available.

https://www.cda.org/Home/News-and-Events/Newsroom/Article-Details/covid-19-vaccine-administration-faqs

State of Georgia Dentists approved to administer covid-19 vaccinations
Governor Brian Kemp’s issues Executive Order temporarily allowing Georgia licensed dentists to administer the COVID-19 vaccine at public health sites on a volunteer basis.

https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/georgia-dental-association-statement-on-authorization-for-dentists-to-assist-with-covid-19-vaccine-effort-301214486.html

State of Washington Dentists approved to administer covid-19 vaccinations

https://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/health/dentists-to-be-part-of-the-coronavirus-vaccination-effort-in-washington-state/

State of Illinois Dentists approved to administer covid-19 vaccinations

https://www.isds.org/news-details/2021/01/29/legislative-announcement-for-dentists-to-help-with-vaccination-efforts!

Illinois expands options for dentists to administer COVID-19 shots as vaccination effort lags behind other states

https://www.chicagotribune.com/coronavirus/ct-coronavirus-illinois-dentists-20210130-u2qbjygbbjdm5cqcdikv2xn33m-story.html

State of Oregon Dentists approved to administer covid-19 vaccinations

In 2019, Governor Kate Brown signed legislation allowing Oregon licensed dentists to administer vaccines after completing Board-approved required training and following relevant rules to administer vaccinations safely. The Oregon Administrative Rule for dental administration of vaccine, OAR 410-123-1262, also includes vaccination reporting requirements:

https://www.oregon.gov/oha/PH/PREVENTIONWELLNESS/VACCINESIMMUNIZATION/IMMUNIZATIONPROVIDERRESOURCES/Pages/Dentists.aspx

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DCA permits dentists to administer COVID-19 vaccines

As a result of recent CDA advocacy efforts and in a move to address the state’s shortage of health care providers eligible to administer COVID-19 vaccines, the Department of Consumer Affairs approved a public health emergency waiver that will allow dentists to administer COVID-19 vaccines to people age 16 and over.

CDA continues to advocate for partnership with dentistry when establishing mass vaccination clinics and to ensure that dentists that begin administering the vaccine are vaccinated themselves first.

Dentists already have the ability to practice outside of their traditional scope of practice during declared states of emergency under the direction of government entities. The DCA waiver establishes the necessary training dentists must complete through the CDC that is specific to vaccine administration, contraindications and adverse reactions.

The required trainings, totaling three hours, are free and self-paced:

Dentists’ ability to administer the COVID-19 vaccination by state.

https://www.cnn.com/2021/01/08/health/non-traditional-covid-vaccinators/index.html

Dentists are already trained to provide injections in objectively more complex areas of the mouth that commonly have gag reflexes, major blood vessels, nerves and a moving tongue,” the California Dental Association said in a statement.

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Dentists’ ability to administer the COVID-19 vaccination by state

Part 1: Training

The dentist successfully completes all of the following COVID-19 training programs available through the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention:

• “COVID-19 Vaccine Training: General Overview of Immunization Best Practices for Healthcare Providers”;

• “What Every Clinician Should Know about COVID-19 Vaccine Safety”;

• “What Clinicians Need to Know About the PfizerBioNT ech and Moderna COVID-19 Vaccines”; and,

• “Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine: What Healthcare Professionals Need to Know”.

Part 2: Comply with State and Federal Regulations

The dentist complies with all applicable federal and state record-keeping and reporting requirements, including providing documentation to the patient’s primary care provider, as applicable, and enters information in the appropriate immunization registry designated by the immunization branch of the State Department of Public Health.

Part 3: Administer the vaccine with any applicable FDA emergency use information State Health Departments

The subject vaccine is administered in accordance with any applicable FDA emergency use authorization.

Dentists acting within the scope of this Order may independently initiate and administer to persons 16 years of age or older any COVID-19 vaccines that are approved or authorized by the FDA, as specified, and may also initiate and administer epinephrine or diphenhydramine by injection for the treatment of a severe allergic reaction.

What does this mean for you?

Visit your state health department for information about the coronavirus (COVID-19) and more.