ADA releases white paper on vaccination ethics

The ADA has released a white paper on the ethics of vaccination as a “guide to educate our members on an important issue that is the mainstay of our current generation.”

The white paper explores vaccination ethics in terms of whether dentists should offer vaccinations, dentists’ obligation if patients and/or staff members refuse to be vaccinated, and whether dentists themselves have an obligation to be vaccinated.

The paper, published by the ADA Council on Ethics, Bylaws and Judicial Affairs, also provides specific recommendations, including:

• Dentists can give vaccines when it is permissible under their state act or other government order, and if they have received the training to do so
• Dentists need to give thought to how to deal with patients who cannot be vaccinated or do not choose to be vaccinated.
• Dentists cannot use vaccination status as a marketing tool

Access the full white paper: Ethics of Vaccination.