The ADA News (10/2, Burger) reports dentists and dental hygienists “are essential health care workers who should be afforded early access to a COVID-19 vaccine, according to a vaccine distribution framework released by the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine during an Oct. 2 webinar.” ADA President Chad P. Gehani and ADA Executive Director Kathleen T. O’Loughlin are quoted saying, “We are thrilled that the National Academies has affirmed what we’ve long known. ... Dentistry is an essential health care service and dentists and their teams are essential health care workers.”
The ADA Board of Trustees adopted an ad interim policy stating dentistry is essential health care July 27 to help guide advocacy for the dental profession during the COVID-19 pandemic. The House of Delegates will consider it as a resolution during its virtual meeting in October.
For more information about the ADA’s advocacy efforts during the COVID-19 pandemic, visit ADA.org/COVID19Advocacy.