Why does my dentist want to know if I’ve had the vaccine?

[Fucket]

I went to the dentist today, I also went last week. They were asking everyone if they’d had a covid jab or not when they arrived for their appointment. They telephoned me back to ask me again because they hadn’t recorded it.

I can’t work out why they need to know, and they never asked which one, or if first or second jab.

I felt silly asking and wondered if anyone knows why?

I'd guess because dentists should be recording medications of patients in case there is something adverse. It is usually done for medication rather than vaccines, but I guess since the vaccine is new they may be being more careful to record it?

I though that too, but wouldn’t they want to know which vaccine I’d had?

I went to the dentist last Monday, I wasn't asked if I'd had the jab

Maybe to ascertain the risk of you transmitting the virus when you're having treatment? Perhaps they need reduces fallow time after an AGP for people who are vaccinated.

I'd have asked.... 😕

I know I wish I had, was more worried about my tooth.

I’m asking all my patients
I’m required to write it on the medical history notes we hold
It’s all confidential no one else knows.

I’m also required to record whether or not you’re wearing a mask in the building

Tbf. The majority of patients ask me if I’m vaccinated yet too
I’m ok with that after all I’m 6 inches from their face!

Mine asks about changes in medical history each time so I would expect to say about vaccine as it is a change

As long as they are not refusing to treat people who have not had the vaccine, I don't see the problem here. It is most likely for their own records.

@Heatherjayne1972

I’m asking all my patients I’m required to write it on the medical history notes we hold It’s all confidential no one else knows.

I’m also required to record whether or not you’re wearing a mask in the building

That would make sense for medical history reasons. But, why do you need to record whether or not someone is wearing a mask?

I never said it was a problem, I just didn’t understand it. Do dentists need to know all our vaccine history or just covid? Is it because it’s a new vaccine? Why don’t they want to know the date or manufacturer of the vaccine? It seems weird to only ask for a bit of info. If AZ vaccine and blood clot issues surely they’d want to know if I’d had that one or Pfizer? I didn’t disclose my whooping cough jab when pregnant and went for my dental check up.

Oh, interesting. I went to the dental hygienist recently and she asked me if I'd been vaccinated yet, and I assumed it was chit-chat! They could have been recording it for history, I suppose.

Dental practitioners are in such close proximity and contact to people every day doing things that are likely to spread the virus to themselves so I sort of thought 'Fair enough, I'd ask too' because I'd want to be reassured people were less likely to pass me something.

I filled out the paperwork to visit my NHS dentist online and they didn’t ask about the COVID vaccine. Just general COVID screening questions (temperature etc)

Nosquirrels this is what I thought too until they phoned me to double check my answer.

Because they're in close contact with your face/mouth. It'll be taken down and put on your medical history.

Just had a nosy on the British Dental Association website for best practice guidelines and there's nothing on there about disclosing vaccine status for patients.

@Fucket

I never said it was a problem, I just didn’t understand it. Do dentists need to know all our vaccine history or just covid? Is it because it’s a new vaccine? Why don’t they want to know the date or manufacturer of the vaccine? It seems weird to only ask for a bit of info. If AZ vaccine and blood clot issues surely they’d want to know if I’d had that one or Pfizer? I didn’t disclose my whooping cough jab when pregnant and went for my dental check up.

I'd imagine it's because we're in a pandemic situation and they are at increased risk due to the close proximity to you. Other vaccines wouldn't be relevant in the same way.

@Heatherjayne1972

I’m asking all my patients I’m required to write it on the medical history notes we hold It’s all confidential no one else knows.

I’m also required to record whether or not you’re wearing a mask in the building

Why do you need to record whether or not someone is wearing a mask?

Ok, but when I went for my coil fitting no one asked my vaccination status, and I assume that being quite intimately involved with a patient from the other end may also carry a risk of catching covid for the doctor?

Some people have been given the vaccine by their dentist. Maybe they had some spare

@Fucket

Ok, but when I went for my coil fitting no one asked my vaccination status, and I assume that being quite intimately involved with a patient from the other end may also carry a risk of catching covid for the doctor?

Not really as covid is a respiratory illness.

Sorry that should say while yes the risk in any patient contact is there but certain contact poses a higher risk, anything involving the respiratory system, mouth etc is going to pose a higher risk of transmission.

To assess risk, update medical information...or if they are administering it to put you on list if they have spare doses

@Fucket

Ok, but when I went for my coil fitting no one asked my vaccination status, and I assume that being quite intimately involved with a patient from the other end may also carry a risk of catching covid for the doctor?

Was that NHS? Your vaccination shows on your NHS record, so if the HCP had your patient records up they knew you had the vaccine. If you have online access to your medical records you can see it recorded for yourself.