Issue link: https://beckershealthcare.uberflip.com/i/1440471
17 BECKER'S DENTAL + DSO REVIEW // VOL. 2022 NO. 1 THOUGHT LEADERSHIP COVID-19 vaccination mandates for healthcare providers 7 dentists weigh in By Ariana Portalatin R ising costs, staff recruitment and retention, and insur- ance reimbursements are among the top dental indus- try threats dentists are thinking about today. As some healthcare companies mandate COVID-19 vac- cinations for their employees, dentists are split on wheth- er mandates are needed, whether COVID-19 vaccinations should be mandated and how the mandates could affect mo- rale and staffing. Here, seven dentists discuss vaccination mandates: Note: Responses have been lightly edited. David Traynor, DDS. Beacon Dental (Dexter, Mich.): I do be- lieve that all healthcare providers should be vaccinated. How- ever, I think we need to remember that all these healthcare workers have been caring for patients for months before the protection of the vaccine was available. I have had both Pfizer vaccines and received the booster last week. Most of my staff have also chosen to be vaccinated — but not all. While I am encouraging them to receive the vaccine, I do not agree with mandates. I do not think that accomplishing the goal of vaccinating healthcare workers through force creates a pos- itive work environment. There are already staffing issues, and either having upset staff that feel bullied into getting the vac- cine, or having staff leave over this issue, is not helping anyone. In general, I think science needs to do a better job of accessi- bility. In an age of short sound bites and social media where anyone can post an "opinion," we need to counteract this by putting more science and research in front of the public. Sci- ence research papers can be hard to read and even harder to understand, plus they are often hidden behind paywalls and subscriptions. We need social media science posters and in- fluencers, scientists that can take important public health infor- mation and put it in easy-to understand and accessible places. David Chei, DMD. Arlington (Texas) Dental Associates: I feel that the COVID-19 mandate is a positive development. Even if one may feel uneasy about getting vaccinated, and I real- ly do understand this reluctance, scientific/medical evidence is overwhelming that it can and will save lives. Yes, I believe all healthcare providers should receive the COVID-19 vaccine since it will not only protect those providers who are vaccinat- ed, [but] others that may come in contact with these providers. David Donatelli, DDS. Highpoint Dental Medicine (Chalfont, Pa.): I do not believe in vaccine mandates. I believe every in- dividual should make their decision on what is best for their health and well-being. I do not think that all healthcare workers should be vaccinated. Deric Ikuta, DDS. Ikuta Dental Health Center (Reedley, Calif.): I am in favor of vaccine mandates for COVID-19. There are at least six other vaccines mandated to go to public school, and many of those diseases are much less deadly than COVID-19. [The] safety and efficacy of the COVID-19 vaccine is equal or greater to those vaccines. Government mandates take the onus off employers. The issue with individual employers who