CDA pushes state to include dental in early vaccine plan

The California Dental Association is hoping dental team members are among the first to receive the COVID-19 vaccine.

The California Department of Public Health (CDPH) is crafting a vaccination plan that dictates phases of distribution. The first phase includes healthcare personnel, but because local health departments determine how to classify which essential workers fall into phase I, dental offices and their staff could be overlooked at the local level.

The CDA is asking the CDPH to standardize the list of essential healthcare workers and to include oral healthcare providers on it. The CDA also requests the CDPH provide explicit guidance to local health departments to follow the list to avoid any potential unintended consequences of uneven vaccine distribution.