Armed and ready for the future: Dental hygienists and dentists administering vaccines
As we reflect on the COVID-19 pandemic, it is evident that it has taken a toll on many people, communities, and health-care workers. But on the positive side, we have seen a shift in our society with more attention on the importance of health, disease prevention, and the roles of health-care providers. The recognition that our health workforce is broad-based, ready to serve, and plays a vital role in all communities has been undeniable. In many states, dental professionals have even been deemed frontline, essential health-care workers.
Rising up to meet the need
During the earlier days of the COVID-19 pandemic, some dental professionals across the United States were signing up as volunteers with local, state, or national agencies to help with COVID-19 screenings and contract tracing. Now, as we have moved into 2021, we have seen dental hygienists and dentists rise up to help meet the needs of our communities in the area of immunizations, not only receiving the COVID-19 vaccines, but also administering them.
The topic of dental professionals providing immunizations did not start in 2020 with the pandemic. Currently, that is the main focus. However, dental hygienists and dentists may have future opportunities to administer all vaccines in a wide variety of settings. We have experienced an explosion of research on the oral-systemic link and interest in medical-dental integration. Every year, we continue to see the expansion of scope of practice of licensed dental professionals and continued efforts to increase access to care, such as the midlevel provider—dental therapists. Practitioner evolution is a natural progression among all health-care providers, and dentistry is no different.
Across the US, states are struggling to meet vaccination goals for influenza and the two-dose human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine. In rural, tribal, and underserved communities, there is a need for expanded access to all health-care services, including vaccines. It is estimated that about 9% of the population may visit the dental office but not a primary care provider.1 Many people see their dental providers as trusted health-care partners and are receptive to receiving medical services in the dental setting.
A ready-made workforce
In 2009, dentists in Massachusetts and New York were allowed to administer vaccines for H1N1. Minnesota and Illinois have been allowing dentists to administer flu vaccines in the dental setting for many years. In 2018, the Nevada Dental Hygienists’ Association started discussing the role that dental hygienists may play in vaccine administration and adopted a policy in 2019 supporting the education, promotion, and administration of vaccines by dental hygienists. In 2019, Oregon passed legislation that allows for dentists to administer all vaccines, after obtaining additional education.2
Nevada, Ohio, and Connecticut are among some of the states that currently allow licensed dental hygienists and dentists to administer COVID-19 vaccinations. Several other states have more restrictive language that only allows dentists to administer vaccines. As the pandemic wanes on and states struggle to meet vaccine distribution and administration, more states are expected to follow suit in expanding the list of vaccine providers.
Licensed dental hygienists and dentists are a ready-made workforce willing to serve. They are highly educated, accustomed to taking continuing education courses to advance their skills, and have great interest in increasing medical-dental collaboration. Dental hygienists and dentists can play a vital role in unprecedented times such as these, where efforts are so vitally needed, and also be prepared for future opportunities. The Nevada Dental Hygienists’ Association and the Nevada Dental Association have collaborated with State of Nevada Oral Health Program on a bill draft for the 2021 Legislative Session that would provide permanent language for dental hygienists, dental therapists, and dentists to administer all vaccines in the dental setting.
The opportunities for vaccine administration by dental professionals could include those mandated for school entry, influenza, and the HPV vaccine that was recently approved by the FDA for the prevention of oropharyngeal cancer.3 Looking to future possibilities, there are currently many other vaccines in the pipeline being studied for conditions such as HIV, periodontal disease, allergies, Alzheimer’s, and other infectious diseases.
Creating systems change takes courage, flexibility, and collaboration. Dental hygienists and dentists in many states are willing to work together to rise up to the meet the needs of our communities!
References
- Allowing dentists to give COVID-19 vaccines could help in distribution. Scripps National. The Denver Channel. https://www.thedenverchannel.com/news/national/coronavirus/allowing-dentists-to-give-covid-19-vaccines-could-help-in-distribution. December 14, 2020.
- Minter-Jordan M. Dentists: An untapped resource for equitable COVID-19 vaccine distribution. The Doctor Weighs In. December 23, 2020. https://thedoctorweighsin.com/covid-vaccine-distribution-dentists/
- Versaci MB. FDA adds oropharyngeal cancer prevention as indication for HPV vaccine. American Dental Association. July 1, 2020. https://www.ada.org/en/publications/ada-news/2020-archive/june/fda-adds-oropharyngeal-cancer-prevention-as-indication-for-hpv-vaccine
Lancette VanGuilder, BS, RDH, is a dental hygienist in Reno, NV. She is an internationally recognized continuing education speaker, clinician, owner/operator of a mobile dental hygiene program, advocate, and key opinion leader. She serves as the legislative chair for the Nevada Dental Hygienists’ Association and is passionate about access to care, disease prevention, and the utilization of the dental hygienist. She can be reached at [email protected].
