COVID-19 continues to pose a risk to people’s health and safety. It’s a highly contagious virus that causes many side effects, from fatigue and respiratory difficulties to altered taste and smell. Although the height of the pandemic has passed, COVID-19 lingers and remains a workplace hazard.
As nationwide emergency protocols expire, many businesses and states are left to decide on the best safety practices to continue implementing. Here is a look into whether dental workers need a COVID-19 vaccine and how to maximize COVID prevention in your dental clinic.
COVID-19 Risks in Dental Offices
Dental workers are at higher risk of COVID-19 exposure. Whether they are administering teeth whitening treatment or filling cavities, the nature of their job involves close contact with patients’ mouths and respiratory discharges. As an airborne virus, COVID-19 is very likely to spread at dental clinics.
According to OSHA’s latest COVID-19 guideline changes, COVID-19 is now considered a permanent workplace hazard and a crucial topic in their health and safety training. Implementing COVID-19 prevention protocols in dental offices enhances the safety of your clinic and mitigates the spread of the virus.
COVID Vaccination Regulations
COVID-19 vaccination regulations differ per state and business. Some states, like New York, require all dental workers to be vaccinated. Other states give dental offices the option to mandate vaccinations for their employees.
OSHA and ADA Requirements
OSHA and the ADA currently do not require dental workers to get vaccinated. However, they highly recommend it and encourage the enforcement of vaccination protocols and other COVID-19 protective measures to maximize the health and safety of dental offices.
OSHA does require dental offices to learn about COVID-19 prevention and safety in their mandatory dental OSHA training. Some of OSHA’s and the ADA’s COVID-19 best practices include mask-wearing, vaccinations, regular equipment sanitation, and company-supplied COVID-19 testing.
Do dental workers need a COVID-19 vaccine? Yes, because they are at higher risk than others due to the nature of their job. Vaccines are also one of the many effective ways to prevent the spread of viruses and maximize your dental office’s health and safety.