Cary, NC – With 13% of adults in North Carolina fully vaccinated against coronavirus, there is a new group of healthcare professionals ready to join the vaccination effort: dentists.
To vaccinate more people, dentists, like Dr. Michael Riccobene, are among those who can now help.
“Did I expect to give a COVID vaccine? Absolutely not. But am I ready for the challenge? Absolutely,” he said.
Bobby White, of the North Carolina State Board of Dental Examiners, said that dentists are required to complete an online course provided by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention before administering the vaccines.
“The way this will be most beneficial for dentists is that they can become vaccinators through vaccination sites in the public health department,” explained White.
The dentist also has the option of being a provider where he can vaccinate in his office, but this has to be approved by the CDC. This is what Riccobene is currently in the process of doing in five of its locations.
“If we are considering costs and training, we want to make sure that we can reach the maximum number of people,” said Riccobene.
Riccobene will have to ensure that his team is trained on how to store and handle the vaccine and how to deal with allergic reactions. He will also have to cover all costs, which is around $ 1,000 per location.
Riccobene said he is ready, but there is a wait and it is a long process.
“I spoke with the director of the dental council. He said it may take a few weeks before we have access to the vaccine,” he said.
White said that many dental offices are unlikely to administer vaccines because of the wait, costs and logistical challenges.
“There are many administrative obstacles that need to be removed and are outside the dental board. It lies between the dentist and the CDC,” said White.
Dentists are allowed to administer vaccines until May 20, according to the executive order of Governor Roy Cooper, but that period can be extended at any time.