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FDI World Dental Federation

New FDI World Dental Federation global survey reveals that two-thirds of countries are not allowing dentists to administer COVID-19 vaccines

Geneva, Switzerland (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

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

Notes to Editors:

Table 1

Countries where dentists will not be permitted to administer COVID-19 vaccines 

Andorra                                                                        
Austria                                                                        
Burkina Faso                                                                   
Denmark                                                                        
Guam                                                                           
Honduras                                                                       
Israel                                                                         
Japan                                                                          
Myanmar                                                                        
Netherlands                                                                    
Portugal                                                                       
Romania  
Russia                                                                         
Saudi Arabia                                                                   
Seychelles                                                                     
Slovakia                                                                       
Switzerland                                                                    
Thailand                                                                       
Turkey                                                                         
                                                                                                                                                                                     
Countries where dentists will not be included in priority vaccination groups   

Cambodia                                                                       
Colombia                                                                       
Kazakhstan                                                                     
Romania                                                                        
Saudi Arabia                                                                   
South Korea                                                                    
Thailand                                                                       
                                                                                              Table 2 
Countries where dentists are permitted to administer vaccine   
                
Cambodia                                                                       
Colombia                                                                       
Egypt                                                                          
India                                                                          
Indonesia                                                                      
Lebanon                                                                        
Nigeria                                                                        
Serbia                                                                         
Slovenia                                                                       
United Kingdom                                                                 
United States                                                                  
                                                                                              
                                                                                
Countries where dentists are confirmed to be included in priority vaccination groups                                                                         
Australia                                                                      
Austria                                                                        
Canada                                                                         
Chile                                                                          
Denmark                                                                        
Egypt                                                                          
Georgia                                                                        
Germany                                                                        
Greece                                                                         
Guam                                                                           
Honduras                                                                       
India                                                                          
Indonesia                                                                      
Israel                                                                         
Japan                                                                          
Lebanon                                                                        
Myanmar                                                                        
Netherlands                                                                    
Panama                                                                         
Portugal                                                                       
Russia                                                                         
Serbia                                                                         
Seychelles                                                                     
Slovakia                                                                       
Slovenia                                                                       
Spain                                                                          
Sri Lanka                                                                      
Turkey                                                                                        Ukraine                                                                        
United Kingdom                                                                 
                                                                                                                                                                  
Source: FDI World Federation Member Survey November 2020-January 2021. The survey was sent to 113 countries.

Further information:

Michael Kessler
FDI Media Relations
Mob: +34 655 792 699
Email: michael.kessler@intoon-media.com
Twitter: @mickessler