Assessment of the willingness of dentists in the state of Indiana to administer vaccines

Abstract

Background Human Papillomavirus associated oropharyngeal cancers have been on the rise in the past three decades. Dentists are uniquely positioned to discuss vaccination programs with their patients. The goal of this project was to assess the readiness of dentists in the state of Indiana in being able to administer vaccines. Methods An 18-question online survey was sent to licensed dentists in the state of Indiana. Mantel-Haenszel chi-square tests, followed by multivariable analyses using ordinal logistic regression were conducted to assess providers’ comfort levels and willingness to administer vaccines in both children and adults, by provider characteristics (practice type, location, and years in practice). Results A total of 569 completed surveys were included for data analyses. Most dentists (58%) responded positively when asked if they would consider offering vaccinations in their office, if allowed by state legislation. In general, dentists working in academic settings and federally qualified health centers were more agreeable to offering vaccination in their practice. The level of agreement with “Dentists should be allowed to administer HPV, Influenza, Hep A and COVID 19 vaccines” for both children and adults decreased with increased years of practice. More than half of the respondents (55%) agreed that dental providers were competent to administer vaccines and needed no further training. Conclusion The study results suggest the willingness of dentists in the state of Indiana to offer vaccinations in their practices, if allowed by legislation. Practical implications Dental providers can be a unique resource to add to workforce for improving vaccination efforts.

Firmly establishing oral health care professionals’ roles as vaccinators within the health care system

“…5 Before this PREP Act authorization, several states independently had authorized dentists to administer the COVID-19 vaccine, and at least 20 states had authorized dental hygienists to administer vaccines. 6 , 7 These authorizations have provided an opportunity for oral health care professionals to become further integrated into the overall health care system by increasing their direct role in general health promotion.

These authorizations have provided an opportunity for oral health care professionals to become further integrated into the overall health care system by increasing their direct role in general health promotion.

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“…Oral health care providers are authorized to administer the COVID-19 vaccine under the PREP Act and under many individual state emergency plans. 5 , 6 , 7 However, when the emergency declarations expire, not having explicit language in state dental practice acts that authorizes vaccine administration could act as a deterrent for dentists to continue providing this valuable health-promoting service. In addition to updating dental practice acts to codify COVID-19 vaccine administration as being within the scope of dental practice, now is also a time for states to allow providers to administer other important vaccines.…”

“…In 2019, Oregon authorized dentists to broadly administer any vaccine, and dentists in both Minnesota and Illinois have been authorized to administer the influenza vaccine. 6 It is becoming increasingly clear that severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (the virus causing COVID-19) will be with us for the foreseeable future, and we will need to learn to live with it. A long-term public health strategy to control the virus likely will include the regular provision of booster shots.…”

“…A survey conducted with Indiana dentists during the early portion of the pandemic found that 58% of dentists would consider administering vaccines if their state law allowed it. 6 A survey of Michigan oral health care professionals found that 51% of dentists and 63% of dental hygienists would administer the HPV vaccine if allowed by their state practice act. 16 Vaccine storage and supply challenges, reimbursement issues, liability concerns, and insufficient knowledge and training were identified as barriers to vaccine administration among these oral health care professionals.…”

“… 16 Vaccine storage and supply challenges, reimbursement issues, liability concerns, and insufficient knowledge and training were identified as barriers to vaccine administration among these oral health care professionals. 6 , 16 Addressing these barriers is the basis for the recommendations we are making.…”