Dentists can now be COVID-19 vaccinators —DOH

Dentists may now join the government's efforts against the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) as vaccinators, the Department of Health (DOH) said Thursday.

Health Undersecretary Myrna Cabotaje said the agency has coordinated with the Professional Regulation Commission and the Philippine Dental Association.

“Upon the recommendation of the Board of Dentistry and concurrence of the PRC with authorization from the DOH… pwede na pong isama ‘yung mga dentist na bakunador basta may kaunting training,” she said during the DOH Kapihan Session.

(Upon the recommendation of the Board of Dentistry and concurrence of the PRC with authorization from the DOH, dentists may now participate as vaccinators as long as they have training.)

Cabotaje said the dentists must coordinate with local government units.

?“They should be registered… tapos kailangan, they link with the local government unit. And supervisor ng dentist ay medical doctor. Pag sinabi natin supervisor ibig sabihin may consent, alam ng doctor, ‘yung head ng implementing unit na meron siyang additional dentist,” she said.

(They should be registered… and they must link with the LGU. The supervisor of the dentist is a medical doctor. The doctor, the head of the implementing unit, should know that he has an additional dentist.)

Meanwhile, the Health official said the DOH has sent funds to various regions for the services of those who have been hired in the vaccination program.

“Ang DOH po ay nag-provide ng pondo sa iba’t ibang rehiyon natin para maitulong sa ibang lokal na pamahalaan to continue the services of those who have already been hired para magbakuna,” she said.

(DOH provided funds to various regions to help local governments continue the services of those who have already been hired.)

“Alam natin pagod na pagod na ang health workers natin hindi lang sa pagbabakuna, sa pagresponde din ng ating COVID-19,” she added.

(We know that our health workers are very tired not only due to the vaccination efforts but also in fighting against COVID-19.)

The Philippines has logged a total of 2,768,849 COVID-19 cases, of which 50,152 remain active while 42,348 have succumbed to the illness.—AOL, GMA News