Assessment of the willingness of dentists in the state of Indiana to administer vaccines

PLoS One. 2022 Apr 19;17(4):e0267167. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0267167. eCollection 2022.

Abstract

Background: Human Papillomavirus associated oropharyngeal cancers have been on the rise in the past three decades. Dentists are uniquely positioned to discuss vaccination programs with their patients. The goal of this project was to assess the readiness of dentists in the state of Indiana in being able to administer vaccines.

Methods: An 18-question online survey was sent to licensed dentists in the state of Indiana. Mantel-Haenszel chi-square tests, followed by multivariable analyses using ordinal logistic regression were conducted to assess providers' comfort levels and willingness to administer vaccines in both children and adults, by provider characteristics (practice type, location, and years in practice).

Results: A total of 569 completed surveys were included for data analyses. Most dentists (58%) responded positively when asked if they would consider offering vaccinations in their office, if allowed by state legislation. In general, dentists working in academic settings and federally qualified health centers were more agreeable to offering vaccination in their practice. The level of agreement with "Dentists should be allowed to administer HPV, Influenza, Hep A and COVID 19 vaccines" for both children and adults decreased with increased years of practice. More than half of the respondents (55%) agreed that dental providers were competent to administer vaccines and needed no further training.

Conclusion: The study results suggest the willingness of dentists in the state of Indiana to offer vaccinations in their practices, if allowed by legislation.

Practical implications: Dental providers can be a unique resource to add to workforce for improving vaccination efforts.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • COVID-19 Vaccines
  • COVID-19*
  • Child
  • Dentists
  • Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice
  • Humans
  • Indiana
  • Papillomaviridae
  • Papillomavirus Infections* / prevention & control
  • Papillomavirus Vaccines*
  • Vaccination

Substances

  • COVID-19 Vaccines
  • Papillomavirus Vaccines

Grants and funding

The project was supported by the Delta Dental Foundation. https://www.deltadentalin.com/giving-back The grant was awarded to Principal Investigator for the project, Dr Anubhuti Shukla (A.S.). The funders had no role in study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript.