Greetings!
We are here - it is 2021. And with it comes renewed hope and renewed energy. Again, we thank you for your continued support, for your optimism, resilience and the passion you bring to the profession.
The SFDS team and your leaders are receiving calls about when and how you can sign up for the COVID vaccine. We want to provide you the most accurate information possible and to clarify any misconceptions:
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The SFDS does not determine when members will get vaccinated. The San Francisco Department of Public Health (SFDPH) determines when they will release vaccinations to dentists and staff. The Dental Society can only encourage and advocate for dentists to get the vaccine sooner, rather than later, and we have been doing that for well over a month.
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We have learned that Kaiser SF and Kaiser SSF are administering the vaccine to dental team members that are insured through them. We have not been able to confirm if this is true throughout the Kaiser network. If you, or members of your dental team, are KAISER clients call for an appointment while they still have vaccine supplies.
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As many of you have heard, the Dental Board of California issued an emergency waiver to allow dentists who complete the CDC training modules to volunteer to administer the vaccine at local vaccination clinics or mass vaccination distribution sites. This does NOT mean that dentists will be providing vaccines out of their practices and it does NOT mean that dentists will (though they may in some jurisdictions) get the vaccine sooner. Yet, it is a step in the right direction. To learn more, listen to SFDS President Lee's interview on KTVU.
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SFDS is NOT currently involved in the coordination of volunteers for community/department of public health vaccination clinics nor are we aware of a call for volunteers in San Francisco.
- Yes, some of you are hearing from your colleagues in Berkeley, Contra Costa, or Alameda that they are already registering for, or have already received, their vaccinations. Each county has its own public health department that determines the timeline for distribution of vaccines to its communities.
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SFDPH has NOT set a date for dentists in the City and County of San Francisco to get vaccinated. We have been in communication with SFDPH, and we will continue to keep you posted on any new developments on this vital initiative.
We promise you this - you can count on SFDS to continue to help guide you during these fluid and challenging times. SFDS prides itself on delivering timely information, useful resources, legislative updates, compliance alerts, continuing education programs, plus key resources/updates from the California Dental Association and the American Dental Association.
We understand there is frustration about the vaccine administration process right now. Please know that we will continue to advocate on your behalf and keep you informed.
