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

Survey also shows that half of the responding countries have agreed to include dentists in their priority vaccination groups

GENEVA,Feb. 25,2021 --FDI World DentalFederation todaycalled 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,China 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 GerhardKonrad Seeberger,president of FDIWorld 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,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.

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

Notes to Editors:

Table 1

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

Countries where dentists will not be included in priority vaccination groups

Andorra

Cambodia

Austria

Colombia

Burkina Faso

Kazakhstan

Denmark

Romania

Guam

Saudi Arabia

Honduras

South Korea

Israel

Thailand

Japan

Myanmar

Netherlands

Portugal

Romania

Russia

Saudi Arabia

Seychelles

Slovakia

Switzerland

Thailand

Turkey

Table 2

Countries where dentists are permitted to administer vaccine

Countries where dentists are confirmed to be included in priority vaccination groups

Cambodia

Australia

Colombia

Austria

Egypt

Canada

India

Chile

Indonesia

Denmark

Lebanon

Egypt

Nigeria

Georgia

Serbia

Germany

Slovenia

Greece

United Kingdom

Guam

United States

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.