After several months of hoping, praying, and waiting, the news ultimately broke out at the end of last year that a stipulated amount of vaccines for coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) had been created and would be delivered to the world soon.
Although the researchers are exerting cent percent effort to ensure that every individual, no matter where he/she lives, is vaccinated, the resources are quite scarce, and multiple logistical issues are slowing the process down.
This brings forth the matter of priority or, in other words, the terrifying question – who should get the shot first. The following write-up specifies where the dental industry lies in the current scenario.
In the global comparison, it has become clear that the dentists and their team members among the wide range of systemically significant professions tops must receive vaccination against coronavirus right away. Like most medical sectors, they are, after all, irreplaceable when it comes to offering seamless care in society. Nonetheless, the status varies from one country to another.
USA
The ADA (American Dental Association) and CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) assumed responsibilities for dental practice owners or claimed that the dental personnel must enjoy urgent access.
Early vaccine is necessary to ensure the safety of the dental workforce, which comprises of 21 million individuals. It will protect not only the dentists and associated professionals but also their families, patients, communities, etc.
The ADA is continuously trying to gain assistance from Congress and administrations to secure the dental profession from the pandemic. The doses are sent out to all fifty states.
UK
According to the UK government, the first ones to enter the coronavirus vaccination programme must be the health and social care staff. NHS (National Health Service) England stated dentists and their teams will receive the shots in both settings – public and private.
The dose will probably reach the nation by mid-February, especially London. The situation in London worsened dramatically when a brand-new variant of coronavirus emerged there. Seven mass vaccination centers have opened up, but the measures will take weeks or even months to show noticeable effects.
Canada
As reported by multiple websites of Canada, the ODA (Ontario Dental Association) wants the government to include dental staff in the primary round of Covid-19 vaccinations. The ODA president said that dentists are in a great risk of contracting the virus; thus, they must be on the priority list of medical professionals.
Australia
Owing to stringent lockdowns as well as travel bans, Australia has much more control over coronavirus than the other nations.
The Australian Dental Association has recently got confirmation from the Health Department that they decided to include the entire dental support staff – starting from assistants to the reception staff – in Phase 1b of the vaccination rollout.
The dentists in Sydney have already prepared their staff. They know the kind of side-effects they may or may not experience. The Australian Dental Association is working in collaboration with the government. The latter also believes that the dental industry requires shots immediately.
By January 2021, the WHO (World Health Organization) had reported a total of 1,945,610 Covid related deaths and 90,054,813 active cases. Everyone can expect these figures to decrease now that the vaccine is here.
