OTS - New FDI World Dental Federation global survey reveals that two-thirds of countries are not allowing dentists to administer COVID-19 vaccines (part 1)
2021. February 25. 07:00
Geneva, Switzerland, 25 February, 2021 (APA/OTS) - Survey also
shows that half of the responding countries have agreed to include
dentists in their priority vaccination groups - FDI World Dental
Federation today called for more countries to enable dentists to
administer COVID-19 vaccines after a survey of its members revealed
the small number of countries currently permitted to do so. The
survey was facilitated by FDI's COVID-19 Task Team.
Fifty-seven member national dental associations, from across
the globe, revealed that nearly two-thirds of countries had not
granted permission to dentists to administer COVID-19 vaccines as
part of national rollouts. In Europe, countries where dentists are
not permitted to administer the vaccine include Switzerland,
Portugal, Austria, Denmark, Slovakia, and Russia (see Table 1).
In France, the National Order of Dental Surgeons has called on
the government to grant permission to the profession, but no
authorization has been given to date. Discussions are also ongoing
in Spain, Sweden, Ireland, Australia, Kenya, Hong Kong, and
Germany.
"Oral health is a fundamental component of overall health and
well-being and oral healthcare is an essential public service,"
said Dr Gerhard Konrad Seeberger, president of FDI World Dental
Federation.
"Efforts should be made to enable dentists to administer
COVID-19 vaccines when possible within national legislation and
regulations, and with minimal disruption to oral healthcare
services."
Countries permitting dentists to administer COVID-19 vaccines
Of the 57 survey responses, the countries who have granted
authorization to the profession to administer vaccines include:
Cambodia, Colombia, Egypt, India, Indonesia, Lebanon, Nigeria,
Serbia, Slovenia, and the United Kingdom (17 per cent) (see Table
2). Significantly, some of these countries include those where
dentists have not previously been allowed to administer vaccines,
or at least the influenza vaccine.
In the United States around 20 states are currently permitting
dentists to administer COVID-19 vaccines.
Inclusion of dentists in priority vaccination groups
The survey also examined the prioritization of dentists in
COVID-19 vaccine roll-out programmes.
A total 53 per cent of responding countries said that dentists
would be included in priority vaccination groups (see Table 2),12
per cent said that they would not be, and 18 per cent responded
that the vaccination programme and priority groups were still being
planned. Those countries NOT including dentists as a priority group
include Cambodia, Colombia, Kazakhstan, Romania, Saudi Arabia,
South Korea, and Thailand (See Table 1).
Ahead of World Oral Health Day on March 20, FDI will release a
new set of data around the caseload of COVID-19 infection amongst
dentists around the world.
ENDS
Further information:
Michael Kessler
FDI Media Relations
Mob: +34 655 792 699
Email: michael.kessler@intoon-media.com
Twitter: @mickessler
About FDI World Dental Federation: FDI is the main
representative body for more than one million dentists worldwide,
with a vision of leading the world to optimal oral health. Its
membership comprises some 200 national member associations and
specialist groups in over 130 countries. www.fdiworlddental.org
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