Update on immunisations in dental practice
- SA Updates
Respiratory infections, vaccinations and Covid-19
Regular contact with patients exposes the dental team and vulnerable patients (such as the elderly and the immunocompromised) to a variety of vaccine-preventable diseases (VPDs). Influenza, SARS-CoV-2, RSV and other respiratory viruses cause symptoms affecting the nose, throat, bronchi and, occasionally, lungs. Infection usually lasts for about a week and is characterized by sudden onset of high fever, aching muscles, headache, and severe malaise, non-productive cough, sore throat, and rhinitis.
What’s new?
The SA Health respiratory infections dashboard indicates there are high levels of respiratory infections currently circulating in South Australia – the most prevalent being influenza (currently peaking with1440 cases this week); RSV (just past the seasonal peak with 755 cases reported this week) and Covid-19 (steady rate of infection with 230 reported cases this week).
The low number of Covid-19 infections coupled with an increasing level of community immunity (herd immunity), has led to SA Health revising the requirement for mandatory vaccination for Covid-19 for SA Health clinical staff (including dental practitioners and assistants working in public sector clinics (SA Dental)). Although now no longer mandatory, SA Health continues to recommend that healthcare workers be vaccinated for Covid-19: SA Health drops staff COVID vaccination mandate - InDaily).
What is the ADA position on managing the risk from VPDs?
The ADA (SA Branch) recommends that dentists should exercise their clinical judgement when considering which IC measures they will continue to implement to protect themselves, staff and patients from the transmission of vaccine-preventable disease while providing clinical care.
The ADA continues to encourage practitioners to refer to the ADA Guidelines for Infection Prevention and Control and the ADA Risk management Principles for dentistry (ADA_Covid-19-Portal_Risk-management-principles-for-dentistry.pdf) and to implement effective, sustainable strategies to reduce risk of transmission. The ADA also continues to encourage practitioners to ensure that they and the dental team are up to date with recommended vaccinations as advised in the Australian Immunisation Handbook.
It is worthwhile noting that the practice must develop and maintain regularly updated immunisation status and allergy records for dental staff – refer to page 67 of the ADA Guidelines for Infection Prevention and Control: ADA_Guidelines_Infection_Control_Guidelines.pdf
Where can I find out more on immunisations?
For comprehensive guidance on immunisations and vaccinations in dental practice, please refer to the newly-created Immunization Practical Guide from the ADA Infection Control Committee: Infection control Practical Guides - Australian Dental Association (ada.org.au)
Social Sharing
Share this via
Or copy link