Serban, ST orcid.org/0000-0001-7911-688X, Eapen Simon, S, Vinall-Collier, K orcid.org/0000-0001-6362-9824 et al. (1 more author) (2021) Foundation dentists supporting vaccination programmes in England. British Dental Journal. ISSN 0007-0610
Abstract
Background In 2020/21, as part of the COVID-19 pandemic response and for the first time in England, newly qualified foundation dentists (FDs) were trained to participate in flu and COVID-19 vaccination programmes to offer additional workforce capacity. The largest of these efforts was in Yorkshire and the Humber where 106 FDs were trained and ready to mobilise. The aim of this service evaluation was to appraise the use of FDs in delivering vaccinations.
Methods Mixed methods using an online questionnaire to FDs and in-depth remote interviews conducted with host organisations, Public Health England, Health Education England and others.
Results The questionnaire response rate was 89% (n = 94), with 54 FDs having participated in vaccinations at a rate of 50-100 vaccines per day. All were confident with flu vaccine administration and most (n = 44/54) with COVID-19 vaccination. Eleven stakeholder interviews were conducted. Main barriers included the siloed delivery of dental care from other health services, resulting in collaborative barriers and a lack of understanding about the profession's skillsets. Facilitators included host organisations' capacity to hold multiple honorary contracts and provide competency sign-off.
Conclusion Utilising the dental workforce to deliver vaccinations was feasible at a time of crisis and when trainees' access to dental patients was limited.
Metadata
Item Type: | Article |
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Authors/Creators: |
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Copyright, Publisher and Additional Information: | © The Author(s) under exclusive licence to the British Dental Association 2021. This is an author produced version of an article, published in British Dental Journal. Uploaded in accordance with the publisher's self-archiving policy. |
Dates: |
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Institution: | The University of Leeds |
Academic Units: | The University of Leeds > Faculty of Medicine and Health (Leeds) > School of Dentistry (Leeds) > Applied Health and Clinical Translation (Leeds) |
Depositing User: | Symplectic Publications |
Date Deposited: | 02 Sep 2021 10:49 |
Last Modified: | 12 Apr 2023 14:58 |
Status: | Published online |
Publisher: | Springer Nature |
Identification Number: | 10.1038/s41415-021-3758-5 |
Open Archives Initiative ID (OAI ID): | oai:eprints.whiterose.ac.uk:177646 |
Commentary/Response Threads
- Serban, ST, Eapen Simon, S, Vinall-Collier, K and Douglas, GVA Foundation dentists supporting vaccination programmes in England. (deposited 02 Sep 2021 10:49) [Currently Displayed]