WTF Dentists
CHICO, Calif. - In an effort to speed California’s COVID-19 vaccine rollout, dentists in the state have been given the green light to administer vaccines.
Action News Now spoke with a local dentist, Dr. Christopher Lim from Yellowstone Family Dentistry who says he thinks it's a great idea and it is something he would consider helping with.
"We're fully capable of doing it. We've been tossing around the idea. If we could get as many health care professionals out there to help get people vaccinated to promote some sort of herd immunity and save lives, that's as important as it gets."
An emergency waiver approved on Monday will allow the 39,000 dentists across the state to help vaccinate. Something that some local dentists, like Dr. Lim, are now looking into.
"Dental professionals are very qualified, medically trained and we do administer shots all day long so it doesn't shock me or surprise me so I think the more people we can get to administer the vaccine the better," said Dr. Smith.
Dentists may be giving the vaccines before they're able to get them. Dentists are in the third tier of the first phase of COVID-19 vaccine distribution. Dr. Christopher Lim says he was able to receive his vaccine early and he's ready to step up to help if necessary.
"Anything we can do to promote health, we are on the frontlines, if we can do things to help make people's lives easier and better why not?" he said.
Dentists who are interested in helping will have to complete online training with the CDC. They will be trained on vaccine administration, contraindications, and adverse reactions, the vaccines would not be administered at their actual dental offices. https://www.actionnewsnow.com/content/news/Dentists-given-green-light-to-help-administer-coronavirus-vaccine-573536331.html