Participants should be aware of the following financial/non-financial relationships: . Andrew Thompkins, BA: I do not have any relevant financial / non-financial relationships with any proprietary interests.. Meghan E. Wendland, DDS, MPH: I do not have any relevant financial / non-financial relationships with any proprietary interests.. Melanie Simmer-Beck, PhD, RDH: I do not have any relevant financial / non-financial relationships with any proprietary interests.. Afra Hussain, BS: I do not have any relevant financial / non-financial relationships with any proprietary interests.. Sarah Godwin, BA: I do not have any relevant financial / non-financial relationships with any proprietary interests.. Joanna Scott, PhD: I do not have any relevant financial / non-financial relationships with any proprietary interests.
Abstract: Objectives: The purpose of this study was to assess the factors and opinions associated with oral health professionals’ (OHPs) responsibility to recommend and administer COVID-19 vaccine during the current public health crisis.
Methods: A survey was administered anonymously to faculty, students, and residents at the University of Missouri-Kansas City (UMKC) School of Dentistry. The survey assessed vaccination training, immunization behaviors, COVID-19 opinions, and scope of practice beliefs.
Results: A total of 150 surveys were returned (response rate = 20.6%). Nearly all respondents reported being vaccinated against COVID-19 (95.6%) at the submission of this survey and the majority reported being vaccinated prior to the university-system mandate (80.9%). Personal acceptance of the COVID-19 vaccine was a strong predictor of an OHP’s belief that it was their responsibility to recommend and administer vaccinations to their patients. Of the respondents, 77.2% agreed it was their responsibility to learn about the COVID-19 vaccination, 61.0% agreed it was their responsibility to recommend the vaccination, and 33.8% agreed it was their responsibility to administer the vaccination. Those who received formal COVID-19 vaccination training were significantly more likely (p<0.04) to agree it was their responsibility to administer COVID-19 vaccine (44.4%) compared to those who did not receive formal training (26.4%).
Conclusions: Personal acceptance of the COVID-19 vaccine and formal vaccination training were factors associated with the likelihood of OHPs belief that it is within their scope of practice to recommend and administer the COVID-19 vaccination to their patients.
Source of Funding: Jackson County: Our Healthy KC Eastside Grant
