The Massachusetts Dental Society (MDS) Board of Trustees has adopted the ADA policy on vaccines, including a safe and effective vaccine for COVID-19 when it becomes available.
The MDS’s adopted resolution states that dentists have the requisite knowledge and skills to administer critical vaccines that prevent life-threatening or health-threatening conditions and protect the life and health of patients and staff at the point of care.
Similar to the 2009 H1N1 pandemic, when Massachusetts dentists and other healthcare providers received temporary approval to administer the vaccine to help prevent further infections, the MDS Board supports the recent decision by Secretary of Health and Human Services for the Commonwealth Marylou Sudders and Governor Charlie Baker’s Administration that allows dentists to administer the COVID-19 vaccine when it becomes available.
“As fellow healthcare professionals, we believe dentists are in an ideal position to help support hospitals and primary care physicians through the COVID-19 pandemic by administering vaccines to our patients, colleagues, and staff,” said MDS president Dr. MaryJane Hanlon.
“This is, in part, an effort to reduce the burden on frontline workers and help the Commonwealth recover as quickly as possible,” Hanlon said.
Allowing dental professionals to administer vaccines does not mean any individual dentist would be required to do so if he or she is not able or willing, the MDS said. Specific training will be provided to any dentist who opts in. Details regarding distribution priority, cost, and reimbursement are yet to be determined.
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