Dental workers seek answers on COVID-19 vaccination

Dentists are calling for transparency and clarity on when they can expect to receive the COVID-19 vaccine.

The Texas Dental Association shared a message outlining their efforts to get dentists vaccinated. The organization is working with state decision-makers to permit the vaccine for dental workers.

In Maryland, Ussa Bunnag, DDS, told WLJA that dentists haven't received communication from the state health department on receiving vaccines as a priority 1 group.

"Dentists are essential healthcare workers [and] the nature of dentistry leads to a high level of engagement with patients," Dr. Bunnag said Jan. 3. "We're the only profession that asks patients to lower their masks. And work 12 inches from the patient's face."

Robin Bethell, DDS, of Austin, Texas-based Forest Family Dentistry, said he thought safety measures may have put dental workers at a lower priority compared to other healthcare workers, according to KXAN. Less than 1 percent of dentists nationwide have gotten COVID-19, according to the American Dental Association.

More articles on dental:
Iowa dental board puts dentist on probation for incomplete charting
North Carolina dentists petition government to include them in 1st tier of vaccinations
Virginia dental hygienist killed in home invasion

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